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Community Chat

Community Chat. Maintaining an Academic Focus within Fiscal Reality Thursday, January 19, 2012 Junior/Senior High Auditorium Galway Central School District. Agenda. 7:00-7:05 Welcome and Introduction Mrs. Cheryl Smith, Board of Education President 7:05-7:35 PowerPoint Presentation

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Community Chat

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  1. Community Chat Maintaining an Academic Focus within Fiscal Reality Thursday, January 19, 2012 Junior/Senior High Auditorium Galway Central School District

  2. Agenda • 7:00-7:05 Welcome and Introduction Mrs. Cheryl Smith, Board of Education President • 7:05-7:35 PowerPoint Presentation Mrs. Kimberly LaBelle, Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Cheryl Smith • 7:35-8:05 Comments and Feedback from Participants • 8:05 Adjourn

  3. overview • Outline for tonight’s chat: • Summary of the November 9th Chat • Board of Education goals • Timeline of important/new dates in 2012-2013 budget • NYS School Comparisons: state aid, levy and spending • Preliminary budget forecast • Budget Focus for 2012-2013 • Strategy #1: Involvement of Stakeholders Strategies • Strategy #2: Identify Cost Saving Strategies • Board of Education united message for negotiations • Negotiations Process • Summary

  4. Purpose: To establish a foundation entering the 2012-2013 budget season Opportunity for stakeholder comments and questions Attendance: Approximately 85 Format: Similar to this evening Reviewed survey information Defined the new challenges facing the district Sample Tax Cap calculation Budget forecast Overall feedback: positive November 9th Community Chat

  5. Board of Education Goals • Academic Achievement • Infusing 21st Century Skills • Building and maintaining a culture of excellence • Developing sound fiscal practices

  6. Important dates • October-December:Establish budget parameters • January-March:Budget Development • January 17: Governor releases budget • March 1: Calculation of Tax Cap due to NYSED • March 22: Preliminary Budget Forecast and assumptions • April 5: Budget presentation to Board, approved before April 21

  7. NYS School Comparisons:Spending, Tax Levy and School Aid

  8. 2012-2013 Preliminary Budget Forecast • Revenue Projections: State Aid: $6,851,056 (flat) Misc Revenue: $352,500 (flat) Fund Balance: $350,000 (decrease) Tax Levy Limit: $9,164,780 (increase) Total Projected Revenue: $16,718,336 • Expense Projections: $18,151,953 • Budget gap: ($1,433,617) New for 2012-2013 Property Tax Cap: Not a 2% tax cap! Potential New Budget: $16,718,336

  9. Budget focus • Stay focused on what matters: the educational program for students! • Balancing the fiscal reality of the community to the educational program • Maintaining positive relations with all bargaining units with the goal to settle all expiring contracts

  10. Strategy #1: Stakeholder involvement • First Community Chat on 11/9/11 • Three areas of unprecedented and innovative outreach through stakeholder input: Academic, Transportation and Athletic • Presentation to the Board of Education, 1/26/12 • Information from the community through surveys, chats, Board meetings have been and will continue to be discussed

  11. Strategy# 2: Cost Saving Measures • Under Consideration: • RFP for Transportation • RFP for OT and PT • Shared Cafeteria Manager • RFP for Cafeteria Services • Community and Stakeholder Input • Negotiations • Shared Services • Consolidation • Current Practices • Newsletter modifications • Electronic Communication • Reduction in Work Force • Increased class size • Energy Education • Board Workshops • Administration • Treasurer Position • BOCES programs: shared services • Global Connect • Athletics • Supplies, conferences • Spending freeze

  12. BoE Philosophy for negotiations • The Board seeks a contract which ensures the resources to provide an exceptional educational program. • The Board recognizes that the faculty and administration is the district’s most important resource in our efforts to provide our students with a good education. • The current cost structure is not sustainable given the significant changes in state aid, and decreased revenue streams. • The district’s loss of nearly $2 million annually in state aid has made it necessary for the Board to abandon the traditional financial model which has been in place for years. • Propose compensation that is fair without jeopardizing the educational program. • Targeted areas under consideration with all labor units: To improve the quality of the educational program with a focus on: Compensation Health Coverage Improving efficiency

  13. Negotiations process • Four key steps: • Enter into negotiations with the goal of settling a the contract • Review contracts from a legal perspective • Identify items which negatively impact the educational program • Review current compensation packages and examine alignment to the global and local economy • Units to be negotiated: Teachers (89), Administrators (4), MC (8) • Three contracts expire on June 30, 2012 • GTA opens in January, and others TBD

  14. Summary • Today’s economic environment requires unprecedented steps to ensure the long term academic and fiscal health of the district. • Everyone’s focus MUST be on ensuring the district has the resources necessary to provide an exceptional education for Galway students. • We must all work together and make very difficult decisions for the betterment of all the students in the school. • The Board and school community need to define and articulate the educational program we desire for Galway students and commit to achieving and sustaining that level of program.

  15. Stakeholder presentations on January 26th Examine the proposed Executive Budget Board of Education discussion on the Tax Cap Build the budget based upon the priorities from the Board, administration and the stakeholders Communicate to all stakeholders in the community the critical information needed to make an informed decision on the vote on May 15th Community to be involved in the budget process. Thank you for coming to the Community Chat! Next Steps

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