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Feasibility Study Combining Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Feasibility Study Combining Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts SEPTEMBER 2019 Pennsylvania Economy League Thompson Associates Architects and Planners Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Pennsylvania Economy League Thompson Associates Architects and Planners

Feasibility Study Combining Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

SEPTEMBER 2019

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Agenda

  • 1. Consolidation Study Team
  • 2. Overview of Study
  • 3. Study Approach and Merger Options
  • 4. Findings and Recommendation
  • 5. Next Steps
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Con Conso soli lida dation tion Stu Study dy Tea eam

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Consolidation Study Team

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  • Gerald E. Cross, MPA, Executive

Director PEL

  • Patricia M. Moorhead, Senior Financial

Analyst PEL

  • M. Jane Thompson, CPA, School

District/Higher Ed Finance Director

  • David Davare, PhD, Former research

director PSBA and PEL

  • Martin Hudacs, EdD, School

Improvement Facilitator, District Superintendent Thompson Associates Architects and Planners: Statewide experience in school design, district-wide planning, and school district merger studies

  • James R. Thompson, AIA, Architect and

Educational Facility Planner – Architect of 100 schools – District-Wide planner for 20 Pennsylvania public school districts Pennsylvania Economy League: Statewide experience in school finance, enrollment projections, and school district merger studies Thompson Associates Architects & Planners: Statewide experience in school design, district- wide planning, and school district merger studies

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Overview of Study

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Phase I: Scope of Work

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  • Buildings:
  • Assessed the condition of current facilities; realignment of grade structure,

educational facilities location, and facility use including assessment of student capacity versus projected enrollments by building

  • Curriculum:
  • Analyzed the impact of consolidation upon educational programs: elementary,

middle, and high schools

  • Financial Implications
  • Examined historical and projected financial condition of the districts
  • Analyzed tax rate impact
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Phase II: Scope of Work

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Develop in Collaboration with the Districts based on the recommended consolidation option:

  • Projected Board Configuration
  • Projected Student Transportation Analysis and Options
  • Projected Curricular Alignment and Programs
  • Projected Collective Bargaining Agreements/Salary Schedules
  • Projected Operational Budget
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why Now?

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Declining enrollments and projected deficits in both districts serve as a call to action Opportunity for efficiencies and managing the growth of future expenditures Consolidation/merger is reasonable and practical

  • Similar educational philosophies and enhanced opportunities

for all students

  • Buildings are in good condition to support the merger
  • Both districts are stable and administratively lean and sound
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why Now?

Declining Enrollments

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1,132 993 1,030 882 785 660 1,780 1,500 1,432 1,267 1,122 932 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 1978-79 1988-89 1998-99 2008-09 2018-19 2028-29 Millersburg Area Upper Dauphin Area

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why Now?

Excess Building Capacity

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500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29

K-5 6-8 9-12 Total Capacity Total Student Capacity: 3,219

Source: Enrollments- PDE; Capacity: Thompson & Associates Architects and Planners

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why hy No Now? w?

Fina inancial Fu ial Futu ture

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Millersburg Area School District

Budget Projected Projected Projected Projected 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Revenues 14,644,251 14,725,546 14,808,030 14,899,296 14,985,749 Expenditures 15,203,195 15,513,901 15,876,193 16,274,653 16,660,873 Surplus/(Deficit)

  • 558,944
  • 788,354
  • 1,068,164
  • 1,375,357
  • 1,675,123

Upper Dauphin Area School District

Budget Projected Projected Projected Projected 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Revenues 19,966,456 20,077,094 20,189,291 20,312,608 20,429,973 Expenditures 20,303,563 20,815,889 21,196,053 21,819,690 22,339,505 Surplus/(Deficit)

  • 337,107
  • 738,795
  • 1,006,762
  • 1,507,082
  • 1,909,532

Assumes no tax increases, other revenue at historic growth rates. Expenditure growth in contracted salaries, healthcare, required pensions. Other costs based on inflation forecasts.

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why hy No Now? w?

Fina inancial Fu ial Futu ture

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Millersburg Area School District Upper Dauphin Area School District

  • $2,000,000

$3,000,000 $8,000,000 $13,000,000 $18,000,000 $23,000,000

2019-2020 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24

Revenues Expenditures Surplus/(Deficit)

  • $2,000,000

$3,000,000 $8,000,000 $13,000,000 $18,000,000 $23,000,000 $28,000,000

2019-2020 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24

Revenues Expenditures Surplus/(Deficit)

Expenditures outpace Revenues in both districts

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why hy No Now? w?

Imp Impact on t on Fu Fund Ba Balan lance

13 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Millersburg $3,297,035 $2,738,091 $1,949,737 $881,573

  • $493,784
  • $2,168,907

Upper Dauphin Area $6,968,830 $6,631,723 $5,892,928 $4,886,166 $3,379,084 $1,469,552

  • $4,000,000
  • $2,000,000

$0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Why hy No Now? w?

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  • Declining Enrollments Trends
  • Excess Capacity
  • Projected Deficits Deplete Fund Balances
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Rea eal l Est Estate te Tax ax Ra Rate tes

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Real Estate Tax Options:

  • Uniformity Requirement of PA Constitution
  • Three Approaches to Uniformity

– Apply lower rate (Upper Dauphin Area) to combined assessments

Loss in tax revenue but reduction in millage for Millersburg Area

– Apply higher rate (Millersburg Area) to combined assessments

Increase in tax revenue but increase in millage for Upper Dauphin Area

– Apply revenue neutral approach to combined assessments

Applying the revenue neutral millage rate of 19.800 would result in an approximate millage increase for Upper Dauphin Area (0.9225) and a decrease for Millersburg Area (-1.219)

  • All other tax rates are the same for both districts
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Rea eal l Est Estate te Tax ax Ra Rate tes

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Millersburg Area Upper Dauphin Area Revenue Neutral

Current Tax Rate (mills) 21.019 18.8775 19.8000 Taxes on $75,000 AV $1,576 $1,416 $1,485 Lower Rate

  • $161

― Higher Rate ― $161 Revenue Neutral Rate

  • $91

$69

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Common Educational Philosophy

  • School vision and mission
  • Importance of technology
  • Importance of professional

development

  • Dual enrollment and online options

for students

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Curriculum Commonalities

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  • College, Career, and Community

ready

  • On-line options and dual

enrollment

  • Off-school-site opportunities

CURRICULUM

At the Elementary School Level At the Middle School Level

  • Focus on improving math

instruction

  • Additional Time allocated to:

– Core content areas – Support math and literacy

At the High School Level

  • Core content offerings and

sequence

  • Middle Level philosophy to

work with the “whole” student

  • Many related arts offerings
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Curriculum Configuration Goals

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Expected Outcomes for Student Development

  • Elementary

Skills-focused; learn to read; read to learn

  • Middle School

Educating the “whole student” - mental, physical, emotional, social

  • High School

Career and college readiness

  • Special Education Curriculum

Builds skills and strategies to address cognitive, physical, and emotional needs; promotes self-advocacy skills

  • All Students

1:1 Technology accessible to all students

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Study Approach and Merger Options

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Consolidation Analysis

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  • Shared philosophy
  • Grade structure options
  • Provide more diverse

instructional content

Students Curriculum Cost

  • Enough room for students
  • Expansion potential
  • Maintain and enhance

course offerings

  • More efficient
  • More practical
  • Reduces future cost increases
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Consolidation Options Analyzed

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  • Elementary Pre-K-8 (UDA Loyalton)
  • Elementary Pre-K-8 (MA MS/HS)
  • 9-12 (UDA HS)

MERGER OPTION 4

  • Pre-K-4 (UDA Loyalton)
  • Grades 5-8 (MA MS/HS)
  • 9-12 High School (UDA HS)

MERGER OPTION 3

  • Pre-K-5 (UDA Loyalton)
  • Grades 6-8 (MA MS/HS)
  • 9-12 High School (UDA HS)

MERGER OPTION 5 MERGER OPTION 1 MERGER OPTION 2

  • Pre-K-4 (UDA Loyalton)
  • 5-8 (UDA Loyalton)
  • 9-12 (UDA HS)
  • Administrative Structure Merged
  • Buildings Status Quo
  • Students Stay in Place
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Mer Merge ger r Opt Option ion 1: 1: Sta Statu tus s Quo Quo

All schools maintained under merged district

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Student Capacity:

  • Excess capacity of 1,400 empty seats (and growing)

– School Year 21-22 all levels filled to average 57% capacity – School Year 28-29 all levels filled to average 49% capacity

Curriculum:

  • K-12 curriculum scope and sequence alignment
  • Different High School graduation requirements

Financial Implication:

  • Reduced administrative costs
  • Estimated $7.3 million renovation at Lenkerville Elementary
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Mer Merge ger r Op Optio tion n 2: 2:

All students attend the Upper Dauphin Area Elementary, Middle, and High School Buildings

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Student Capacity:

  • School Year 21-22 all levels filled to average 97% capacity (PreK-4 -106%, 5-8-90% MS, and 94% HS)
  • School Year 28-29 all levels filled to average 84% capacity (PreK-4 -93%, 5-8-79% MS, and 81% HS)

Curriculum:

  • K-12 curriculum scope and sequence alignment
  • Different High School graduation requirements

Financial Implication:

  • Likely cost for temporary added student capacity (modular classrooms)
  • Discontinue educational use of Lenkerville Elementary and Millersburg Area MS/HS

– Loss of $250,000 in existing annual Millersburg state subsidies

  • Reduced administrative costs
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Mer Merge ger r Op Optio tion n 3: 3:

Grades Pre-K-8 Two Attendance Areas with Grades 9-12 Consolidated

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Student Capacity:

  • Upper Dauphin Area Elementary and Middle School already Pre-K-8 Option
  • School Year 21-22: (Pre-K-8: 59% UDA, 65% MA; and 94% HS)
  • School Year 28-29: (Pre-K-8: 50% UDA, 60% MA; and 81% HS)

Curriculum:

  • K-12 curriculum scope and sequence alignment
  • Different High School graduation requirements

Financial Implication:

  • Costly renovation for change in use of Millersburg Area Middle School to Pre-K-5

– Millersburg Area Middle School is currently not equipped for Early Childhood Education

  • Discontinue educational use of Lenkerville Elementary
  • Reduced administrative costs
  • Improved economies of scale
  • Elementary Pre-K-8 (UDA ES/MS Loyalton)
  • Elementary Pre-K-8 (MA MS/HS Millersburg)
  • 9-12 (UDA HS Elizabethville)
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Mer Merge ger r Opt Option ion 4: 4:

Grades Pre-K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 Consolidated

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Student Capacity:

  • Grade-level multi-disciplinary teams a mis-fit for Millersburg Area Middle School side
  • School Year 21-22: (Pre-K-4 - 59%, 5-8- 73% MS, and 94% HS)
  • School Year 28-29: (Pre-K-4 - 52%, 5-8 -64% MS, and 94% HS)

Curriculum:

  • K-12 curriculum scope and sequence alignment
  • Different High School graduation requirements

Financial Implication:

  • Discontinue educational use of Lenkerville Elementary
  • Reduced administrative costs
  • Improved economies of scale
  • Pre-K-4 (UDA ES/MS Loyalton)
  • Grades 5-8 (MA MS/HS Millersburg)
  • 9-12 (UDA HS Elizabethville)
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Mer Merge ger r Opt Option ion 5: 5:

Grades Pre-K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 Consolidated

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Student Capacity

  • Grades Pre-K-2 are well-supported at the Upper Dauphin Area Elementary School
  • Grades 3-5 are well-supported at the Upper Dauphin Area Middle School
  • Grades 6-8 are well-supported in the Millersburg Area MS/HS
  • School Year 21-22 capacity: (Pre-K-5 - 73%, 6-8-55% MS, and 94% HS)
  • School Year 28-29 capacity: (Pre-K-5 - 63%, 6-8-49% MS, and 81% HS)

Curriculum:

  • K-12 curriculum scope and sequence alignment
  • Different High School graduation requirements

Financial Impact

  • Discontinue educational use of Lenkerville Elementary
  • Reduced administrative costs
  • Improved economies of scale
  • Pre-K-5 (UDA Loyalton)
  • Grades 6-8 (MA MS/HS Millersburg)
  • 9-12 (UDA HS Elizabethville)
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Findings and Recommendations

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Consolidation Recommendation

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  • Pre-K-5 Elementary School UDA ES/MS Loyalton
  • Grades 6-8 Middle School MA MS/HS Millersburg
  • 9-12 High School

UDA HS Elizabethville OPTION 5

  • Best use of existing buildings
  • Opportunity to provide more diverse instructional content
  • Maintain and enhance K-12 course offerings
  • Greatest opportunity for economies of scale
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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Next Steps

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Consolidation Feasibility Study

Ne Next xt Ste Steps ps

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Presentation

Joint Board Study Session October 7, 2019

1 2 3

Community Presentations

UDA Community Session UDA Middle School October 14, 2019, 6:30 pm MA Community Session MA High School October 21, 2019, 6:30 pm

Vote

Joint Board Vote to approve Phase I and continue to Phase II November 11, 2019

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Millersburg Area and Upper Dauphin Area School Districts

Pennsylvania Economy League Thompson Associates Architects and Planners

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