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R.E.A.D.

R.E.A.D. Regional Educational Advocacy Districts. Local district advocacy & R.E.A.D.’s work on unfunded mandates. R.E.A.D. Started in 2004 Member districts include Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick -Hudson Superintendents and board trustees

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R.E.A.D.

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  1. R.E.A.D. Regional Educational Advocacy Districts Local district advocacy & R.E.A.D.’s work on unfunded mandates.

  2. R.E.A.D. • Started in 2004 • Member districts include Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson • Superintendents and board trustees • The five R.E.A.D. districts represent… • Over 50,000 residents, • 8,000 students, and • Approximately $200 million spending on schools. R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

  3. R.E.A.D. • PANELISTS: • Karen Zevin, B.O.E. President, Croton-Harmon Union Free School District • David White, former B.O.E., Hendrick Hudson Central School District • Dr. Daniel McCann, Superintendent, Hendrick Hudson Central School District; • Gloria Colucci, Superintendent, Garrison Union Free School District • Diane Chaissan, School Business Official, Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

  4. R.E.A.D. • Mission • To improve public education by combining the vision, talents, and resources of neighboring districts to advocate among: • Local, state, and national legislators • Media • State-wide associations and groups • The local community R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

  5. R.E.A.D. Why Local Advocacy? • Sounding board for districts with similar interests. • Enhances commitment. • Does not conflict with state or regional school board associations. • Orients members to political landscape. • Provides insight into other local districts. 5

  6. R.E.A.D. Key Goals Driving R.E.A.D. Advocacy • Fair and sufficient funding for all districts • Relief from state and federal mandates • More effective local school board function and control • Relief from standardized tests Specific Focus (Past 3 Years) • Rolling back unfunded mandates, by making lawmakers aware of their actual costs • Sharing cost saving ideas among the R.E.A.D. districts • TRS and ERS pension fund shortfalls 6

  7. Unfunded Mandates R.E.A.D. created a template that itemizes and presents information on estimating the cost of unfunded mandates. • Over 90 mandates are included, segmented into categories: 7 R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

  8. Unfunded Mandates • State, Federal and SED mandates are included. • Does not include mandates which R.E.A.D. feels are necessary district obligations. • Does not include costs associated Benefits (retirement system, health, etc.), Wick’s Law (over the life of the loan), Triborough and other major benefit, negotiation or construction costs. • The compilation is an objective view of mandate costs. • Each mandate has cost consequences whether or not they are beneficial. • The list is continuously updated and revised to be a more accurate representation of mandate obligations. • The most recent revision is an update developed in December 2009. R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 8

  9. Unfunded Mandates • Be informed: • We need to understand where and how funding is spent. • Responsible leadership: • We represent tax payers. These mandates are paid for by local property taxes. • Accountability and transparency: • School districts must show how they spend money. 9

  10. Mandate Cost Calculation • Each district compiles their own data. • NYSBBA and Westchester Putnam School Board Association (WPSBA) are helping to coordinate the effort. • Definitions for mandate have been developed so that districts are consistent in identifying costs associated with mandates. • Methods for estimating personnel hours and other costs, ST3 locations, etc. are provided to make cost calculations easier. • Templates for estimating testing costs and Wick’s law costs are provided. R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 10

  11. Unfunded Mandates As per ST3)/Descriptions . (These are codes we think are applicable. You might code things differently in your district.) • Categories, descriptions, and account codes are provided. • School districts provide actual amounts. • Aid is subtracted from total costs. R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 11

  12. The Cost of Unfunded Mandates • In FY ‘08-09, the total cost for these unfunded mandates for five districts was $40.4 million, or an average of19%of the entire school budget. Total School District Budgets: $209.2 million Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 5 R.E.A.D. districts, FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson 12

  13. The Cost of Unfunded Mandates • In FY ‘07-’08, the total cost for nine Westchester Districts was $222.2 million dollars or an average of16.3% of the entire school budget. Total School District Budgets: $682.5 million Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 9 districts, FY ’07-’08: Brewster, Briarcliff, Chappaqua, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, and White Plains 13

  14. The Cost of Unfunded Mandates *Other = Health & Safety (2.5%), Finance (1.1%), Buildings and Grounds and other (category not specified) mandates (<1%) Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 5 R.E.A.D. districts, FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson 14

  15. The Cost of Unfunded Mandates The numbers add up quickly for five school districts... • Over $468,000 in testing costs. • Over $95,000 in internal audit costs. • Over $130,000 in data warehousing costs. • Over $180,000 in special education legal costs. • Over $25,000 in Special Education (STAC) reporting. • Over $30,000 in clerical costs associated with professional development & monitoring highly qualified teacher requirements. • Over $170,000 in inspections, monitoring, and compliance (OSHA, DEC, elevators, fire safety, extinguishers, etc.) 15

  16. Why Bother? • Financial evidence of the burden of legislative actions and impact on schools and the tax payer. • Compelling financial argument to legislators and for legislators to use with others. • Explanation provided to tax payer. • Going Forward – • Argument for involving superintendents and trustees in review of legislation so that they can identify hidden costs. • Argument for financial calculation of the cost of bills before they become law. • Argument in opposition to a highly restrictive tax cap. 16

  17. R.E.A.D. Advocacy - 5 NYSSBA Resolutions (3 Adopted, 2 Proposed) Two R.E.A.D. resolutions this year, identified as Hendrick Hudson SD resolutions, concerning pension fund and testing relief, supported by all R.EA.D districts. • Government • Meetings with Legislators • Provided unfunded mandate data/ analysis to SED and Commission on Real Property Tax Relief • School Districts • Original mandate template completed by 9 districts. • Other local advocacy groups have formed. Media Exposure The Gazette (local) Successes R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

  18. R.E.A.D. How to Start an Local Advocacy Group • Consider… • Location • Common issues • Shared legislators • Commitment (monthly meetings, website, goals) 18

  19. R.E.A.D. How to calculate your unfunded mandate costs and participate in the larger initiative. EmailKarenzevin@croton-harmonschools.orgfor copy of unfunded mandate, testing, and Wick’s law template. OR Double click on icon for a copy of the unfunded mandate worksheet. Unfunded Mandate, Wick’s Law and Testing Templates 19

  20. R.E.A.D. QUESTIONS 20

  21. Brewster Central School District 30 Farm to Market Road Brewster, NY 10509 Superintendent Dr. Jane Sandbank jsandbank@brewsterschools.org 845-279-8000 President of Board of Education Dr. Stephen Jambor oehan@aol.com Haldane Central School District 15 Craigside Drive Cold Spring, NY 10516 Superintendent Dr. Mark Villanti mvillanti@haldane.lhric.org 845-265-9254 President of Board of Education David Merandy dmerandy@haldane.lhric.org Hendrick Hudson Central School District 61 Trolley Road Montrose, NY 10548 Superintendent Dr. Daniel McCann Daniel.McCann@henhudschools.org Phone: 914-257-5112 President of Board of Education Marion Walsh Marion.Walsh@@henhudschools.org

  22. Croton-Harmon Union Free School District 10 Gerstein Street Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520 Superintendent Dr. Edward R. Fuhrman Jr.* efurhman@croton-harmonschools.org 914-271-4793 President of Board of Education Karen Zevin kzevin@croton-harmonschools.org Garrison Union Free School District 1100 Route 9D Garrison, NY 10524 Superintendent Gloria J. Colucci* gcolucci@gufs.org 845-424-3689 President of Board of Education Carol McCullough cmccullough@henhudschools.org * R.E.A.D. Co-Chairs for 2010-2011 Website: http://www.READ1.Org

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