Welcome Parent Leader Information Meeting November 2, 2011

1. Welcome Parent Leader Information Meeting November 2, 2011

2. What are schools left to do? Taking a look at Chapter 4 requirements from the Public School Code

3. Chapter 4 Requirements • Compulsory education required for age 8 and above • Academic standards to be met at elementary, middle school, & high school levels • World language • Two languages • Only one language required to have four year sequence

4. Chapter 4 Requirements • Required courses for graduation • English Composition • Literature • Biology • Algebra I

5. What is not required • Specialists • Art • Music • Library • Physical Education • Family and Consumer Science • Technology Education • Guidance Counselors • Literacy/Math Coaches

6. What is not required • Extra-curricular • Athletics • Music: band, orchestra, chorus, theatre productions • Student government, academic teams, etc. • Student transportation • Limits on class size

7. Potential cuts moving forward • Transportation • Cut mid-day runs for kindergarten for districts who have this • Extend distance for walking and eliminate some buses and runs • Requirement is 2.0 miles and above for secondary students • Requirement is 1.5 miles and above for elementary students

8. Potential cuts moving forward • Athletic programs • Eliminate particular sports • Eliminate particular level of sports (i.e. middle school) • Music programs • Eliminate particular programs at different levels • Limit number of students involved • Drivers Education classes

9. Potential cuts moving forward • Art programs • Cut electives • Cut programs at particular levels • Library programs • Cut classroom instruction • Update library books (eBooks) • Family and Consumer Science programs • Cut particular programs • Eliminate altogether and have standards met through other classes

10. Potential cuts moving forward • Technology Education • Cut/eliminate programs • Computers, iPads, Smartboards, etc. • Student Services • Cut/eliminate guidance counselors • Cut/eliminate school psychologists • Reduce school nurses

11. Potential cuts moving forward • World Language • Eliminate MS exploratory programs • Eliminate particular languages and offer only what is required by state • Limit opportunities for students • Higher class sizes • Eliminate dual enrollment program • Eliminate some/all electives, including AP

12. Potential cuts moving forward • Limit opportunities for students • Eliminate related arts classes • Provide only what is required for graduation for seniors • Cut technology • Eliminate programs that prepare students with 21st century skills • Eliminate intervention programs for academic, social, emotional needs of students

13. Potential cuts moving forward • Limit opportunities for students • Eliminate field trips • Eliminate plays/musicals • Eliminate award banquets/desserts for recognitions (NHS) • Eliminate clubs

14. Potential cuts moving forward • Limit or eliminate district/building information sent home • Those without internet access would not receive information • Would provide for less transparency in our operations and decisions • Cut backs on maintenance • Would cause more significant costs in future • Less sanitary, safe environment for students/staff

15. Potential cuts moving forward • Reduction/elimination of senior tax programs to aid senior citizens (where currently available) • Layoffs of support staff positions • Furloughs of professional staff • Furloughs of administrative staff

16. Moving forward after 2011-12 • Once cuts are made, it will be difficult to get programs, offerings back • May need to cut more for 2012-13 and future depending on recovery of economy • Likely will be scaling back what we offer and what makes us strong districts at a time of increased competition and push for school choice and vouchers

17. Cyber Charter Schools

18. Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) Website www.psba.org

19. Background Charter School Law enacted 14 years ago (Act 22 of 1997) Intent was creation of “brick & mortar” schools Cyber schools never envisioned

20. Charter School Definition “Independent public school established and operated under a charter from the local board of school directors in which students are enrolled or attend . . . Must be operated as a public, non-profit entity.”

21. Who Charters These Schools? School boards grant brick & mortar charters, but applicants may go to State Appeal Board if denied Pending legislative proposals would expand number of charter authorizers State Dept. of Ed. now controls chartering of cyber schools

22. Charter School Enrollments

23. Payment for Charter Schools Payment different for districts for both regular and special education No distinction between cyber and brick & mortar charters Districts had received nominal state funding for charter/cyber costs 2011-12 state budget eliminates reimbursement for charter school costs Law had authorized up to 30% Impact of this cut, alone: $224 million

24. Why the Difference in Tuition? Total expenditure per ADM prior year, Total minus expenditures for: Nonpublic school programs Adult education programs Community/junior college programs Student transportation services Special education programs Facilities, debt and transfers

25. Why the Difference in Tuition? • Charter law assumes money follows the student to charter school BUT • Money does not follow students to SDs (formula determines amount, not student count) • Charter law does not account for: • Fixed or semi-fixed cost • Assumes all cost is variable

26. Impact on School Districts District expenditures for charter schools increased by $332.5 million (or 112%) between 2003-04 and 2007-08 Future cost increases (especially pension) will dramatically increase SD costs PSBA research finding: “Virtually impossible for a single dollar of savings to be realized in SD budgets when students attend charter schools.”

27. Funding Mismatch Current tuition payments create an equity issue because there is no relation to: District wealth District tax burden Most importantly, actual charter school costs

28. Lancaster & Lebanon County Public School Enrollment Growth - 2001-02 through 2009-10 1IU 13 Enrollment Survey

29. Lancaster & Lebanon County Cyber School Growth 2001-02 through 2009-10 Total Charter and Cyber School Enrollment1 1IU 13 Enrollment Survey

30. Lancaster & Lebanon County Charter/Cyber School Costs Based on 2009-2010 Average Enrollment & Expenditures 1Figures derived from PDE-432 (Reconciliation for School Year 2009-10, Payable 2010-11)

31. Lancaster & Lebanon County Average Cost per Student(2009-10) School Districts2 $10,782 District-Operated Cyber Programs $4,850 1Calculated from School District-reported data and figures derived from PDE-432 (Reconciliation for School Year 2009-10, Payable 2010-11) 2Pennsylvania Department of Education (2009-2010 Expenditure Data for all LEAs) http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/summaries_of_annual_financial_report_data/7673/afr_data__summary-level/509047)

32. Academic Data Achievement & Growth Source: http://pvaas.sas.com

33. Academic Data 2011 PSSA Reading – Grades 4-8 Cyber Schools Lancaster and Lebanon County School Districts AYP Target for 2011: 72% AYP Target for 2011: 72% Source: http://pvaas.sas.com

34. Academic Data 2011 PSSA Math – Grades 4-8 Cyber Schools Lancaster and Lebanon County School Districts AYP Target for 2011: 67% AYP Target for 2011: 67% Source: http://pvaas.sas.com

35. Proposed Voucher Legislation

36. Tuition Vouchers Proposal to provide tax funding to parents to send children to private and other public schools Issues: Scope and growth of plan Cost to taxpayers Impact on SD funding Constitutionality Accountability Track record

37. Tuition Vouchers Strong, consistent public opposition Fall 2011 PSBA poll results Who is supporting idea, and why? The fall legislative agenda

38. New Version of S.B. 1 Vouchers Initial eligibility: Low-income children attending low-achieving schools Program grows in size over time Funding from state appropriations Checks payable to parents, endorsable to schools Transfers permitted to public and private schools

39. New Version of S.B. 1 Charter Schools Eases conversion of existing public schools, but SD cannot operate charter schools Funding sent directly by PDE, but withheld from SD New ethics, conflict-of-interest, audit provisions Greater reporting detail required Lengthens terms of charters

40. New Version of S.B. 1 Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Available to businesses that donate to scholarship, education improvement, and pre-K organizations Proposal increases allowable credits

41. Current Status • S.B. 1 passed Senate, 27-23 • Fate in House uncertain • Governor supports concepts, not necessarily all details • Competing legislative priorities, lack of time allies in this effort

42. New PSBA Report • Examines proven means of improving achievement in most challenged schools • Keys: professional development, expert help, early learning • Answer is NOT vouchers! • www.psba.org

43. Panel Discussion Dr. Marianne Bartley, Superintendent, Lebanon SD Dr. William Clark, Superintendent, Manheim Central SD Dr. Steven Houser, Superintendent, Annville-Cleona SD Dr. Joseph Kristobak, Jr.,Superintendent, Cornwall-Lebanon SD Dr. Richard Nilsen, Superintendent, Eastern Lebanon County SD Dr. Collene Van Noord, Superintendent, Palmyra Area SD

44. Questions?