Preparing Students for the Challenges of Tomorrow: We Can’t Do It Without You!

1. Preparing Students for the Challenges of Tomorrow: We Can’t Do It Without You!

2. What We’ll Cover… • The world has changed and public schools are asked to do more and more. • Education plays a significant role in our economy. • Franklin County students are showing gains. • Franklin County’s revenue picture shows declining state funds. • We have significant funding challenges. • We are looking for solutions.

3. It’s a Different World for Kids • Email is too slow for them • They don’t fear Russia • Their blackboards are Smartboards • They’ve never seen a Sears catalogor a phone book • They know Clint Eastwood as a sensitive director…not Dirty Harry

4. We Are Asked to Do More • From 1910 to 1950 – schools added P.E. and football, Vocational Schools, mandated transportation, ½ day kindergarten, fine arts, school lunch programs, driver’s ed, sex ed • In the 60s and 70s – Advanced Placement, adult ed, career ed, federally mandated special ed, drug programs, Title IX programs, school breakfast programs

5. …and More • In the 80s– mandated child abuse monitoring, bi-lingual education, full day kindergarten, after school programs, expanded health and psychological services • In the 90s – America 2000 (Republicans), Goals 2000 (Democrats), technology use, expanded gifted ed, at-risk and drop out prevention • And in the 2000s – No Child Left Behind (Republicans), Race to the Top (Democrats), body mass monitoring, and much more…

6. Lately, we’ve been told… • New Common Core Curriculum (national curriculum) will be phased in over the next three years • National assessments will begin in 2014-15 • Career pathways will be required of all students for graduation • New teacher and leader evaluation instruments

7. With Common Core Curriculum • We’ll need quality professional learning for staff so teachers areready to teach the Common Core Curriculum and have strategies to promote higher order thinking. • Teachers need new assessment tools for the Common Core to make sure kids are learning the new curriculum. • New intervention and support services for students will be needed.

10. Superintendent Performance-Based Evaluation Instrument • Measureable Goals in: • Student Achievement • Stakeholder Engagement and Loyalty • Organizational Effectiveness • Team Growth and Development

11. And Yet… Public schools are being funded at the lowest levels since 2003.

12. 4.2% The Role of Education in our Economy 8.3% Without an education, our children won’t be able to find and keep good jobs. 9.1% 13% Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, 2012

13. The Role of Education in our Economy $58,500 Our local economy cannot thrive if its citizens can only get the lowest paying jobs. $38,012 $33,072 $23,868 Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, 2012

14. Franklin County Figures • Unemployment rate: 12.3% (2011) • 74% of adults have high school diplomas (2005-2009) • 13.1% have college degrees or higher (2005-2009) • Current graduation rate for FCSS: 75% (approximately 25% did not graduate)

15. Our Economy is Tied to Education Counties with a large percentage of their populations without at least a high school diploma will find it extremely difficult to attract businesses and sustain a healthy economy. Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, 2012

16. A Snapshot of Our District • Franklin County Schools educates 3,659 students. • We spend an average of $8,703 per student, which is less than most districts our size. • There are six public schools in Franklin County. (Four elementary, one middle school and one high school – home of the Lions!) • All of our schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

17. CRCT Scores for Grades 3-8

18. Franklin’s Graduation Test Trend 100% 60% 20%

19. Franklin’s Graduation Rate Trend

20. Federal Funds = 11.72%State Funds = 57.22%Local Funds = 31.06%Enrollment = 3,659*According to the Georgia Department of Education website. How Our Schools Are Funded… 2011

21. Federal Funding • Franklin County received more in federal funding in 2010 and 2011 because of funds from American Recovery & Reinvestment Act • Federal funds can’t be used on expenditures funded by state or local funds in previous years. • Federal expenditures are funded on a reimbursable basis — you must spend it to get it.

22. State Funding • State funds make up 58% of Franklin County Schools’ funding. • The state’s education funding formula is based on a 1985 law, the Quality Basic Education Act. (QBE) • A smaller portion of state revenue comes from state grants for specific purposes such as Career Tech, Ag programs and pre-school services. • 90% of the QBE funds are allocated based on student enrollment and 10% is based on the number and size of our schools.

23. QBE • QBE was adopted in 1985and is the basis for the “formula” used to allocate funds through a partnership between the state and local districts. • The law is intended to ensure each student in the state receives a quality basic education—not a “Cadillac,” but a “Chevy.” • The state pays districts an amount of money for each student based on a QBE “foundation formula.”

24. What Underfunded Mandates Mean For Franklin County Schools… • Just a couple of examples: • Franklin County paid 69% of the overall cost of transporting students last year and 100% of the cost of transporting students living within 1.5 miles of a school. • Local districts must provide educators with 12.5 sick days/year, but the state pays only $150 per employee/per year. After the $150, any cost for substitutes, etc. is paid by the local district. Subs are paid a minimum of $65/day.

25. What QBE Does Not Provide Any Funds for…… • Social security costs (6.2% of taxable salary) and workers’ compensation • Athletics • Other extra-curricular activities (band, drama, student organizations, etc.) • Capital expenditures (new buildings, new technology, furniture)

26. Austerity Cuts to Franklin CountyLost QBE funding • 2012 Cut by $2,867,551 • 2011 Cut by $2,746,447 • 2010 Cut by $3,668,884 • 2009 Cut by $1,274,511 • 2008 Cut by $362,425 • 2007 Cut by $429,496 • 2006 Cut by $898,255 • 2005 Cut by $898,293 • Since 2003 total cuts of $13,957,539

27. Franklin is Not Alone • Over the past 10 years in Georgia, school funding has been cut by $7 billion. • Districts are having to furlough staff and, in some cases, cut the number of school days in order to balance their budgets. • The economic climate is hurting the amount districts collect from SPLOST funds. • Revenue sources are severely limited.

28. Local Funding • Property taxes are the primary source (over 90%) of local revenue for local school systems. These funds are used for the operating budget. All property is taxed, even rental properties. • Property taxes are based on the county millage rate adopted the Board of Education annually. By state law, millage rates are capped at 20 mills, except in a few rare circumstances.

29. Franklin County School Tax • Franklin County’s millage rate has remained the same (14.868) since 2009. • School property tax levy has decreased by $821,818 since 2007. • 1 mill: Average homeowner pays $60-$70 • 1 mill currently generates $616,000

30. SPLOST • Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds can be used for capital expenditures like buildings and technology, but NOT for salaries and other operating expenses. • SPLOST is approved by the county voters every five years. Projects are outlined ahead of time and cannot be changed after approval by voters.

31. How funds are used in Franklin County…..

32. FY 12 Budget SummaryFunds 100-499 State, Local and Federal Regular Operating Accounts Expenditures Salary $19,477,041 Benefits $ 6,957,776 Other $ 4,202,609 Total Expense $30,637,426 Revenue State $17,035,838 Federal $ 3,059,212 Local $ 9,064,362 Total Revenue $29,159,412

33. Response to Financial Challenges • 2008: • Raised millage 2.25 mills (12.62 to 14.87) • Cut $1,040,135 • 2009 • Rolled back millage to 14.868 • Continued cuts from 2008 • 2010 • Millage remains at 14.868 • Continued cuts from previous years • Cut additional $1,666,384

34. Response to Financial Challenges • 2011 • Millage remains at 14.868 • Continued cuts from previous years • Cut additional $1,310,682 • 2012 • Millage remains at 14.868 • Continued cuts from previous years • Cut additional $1,274,275 • Cumulative savings since 2008: $11,000,000

35. FY 2008 • Total Budget Reduction $1,435,000 • Central office and administrator reduced days (5) • From 230-225 • Tech Specialist cut to 205 days • Eliminated employer contribution to dental insurance • Eliminated Central Office positions: • Assistant Superintendent • 2 49% positions in Title I and Student Support • Eliminated Instructional Lead Teacher at the high school

36. FY 2009 • Kept the same cuts • Administrators still kept 5 day cut • No new cuts • Last cost of living increases on state salary scale and local salary scale (classified staff)

37. FY 2010 • Total Budget Cuts $1,666,384 • All staff furloughed 5 days (3 original and 2 mid-year) • For administrators it was added onto the previous 5 day cut from o8 and 09. • Reduced teaching staff by 8 positions (mostly due to class sizes increases) • Established our own alternative program reducing overall costs from contracting with Stephens County • Eliminated Central Office position: Diagnostician

38. FY 2011 • Total Budget Reductions $1,310,682 • Adopted 160 day calendar • Eliminated nine teaching positions (music and art cut in half, 5 additional positions) • Reduced classified staff by 20 days • 3 day contract reduction for teachers • Maintained 10 day total contract reduction for administrators • Assistant principals reduced 5 additional days • Central Office eliminated enrollment clerk position • Eliminated lunchroom monitors

39. FY 12 • Total Budget Cuts $1,274,275 • Maintained 10 day cut for administrators • All certified staff who had been cut 3 days in FY 11, were cut an additional 2 days for a total of 5 days in FY 12 • Eliminated the local salary supplement and reduced responsibility supplements for administrators by the equivalent of the local supplement (they do not receive a local supplement) • Most of the non personnel budget items were reduced by 10-12% • 4 open teaching positions not filled based on reduced enrollments and using +2 class size model

40. Summary of Reduced Days

41. Comparing Pay from FY 08 to FY 12 • Number of days you are working now vs. how many you were working in FY08 • Did you get the cost of living raise in FY 09? • How many step increases did you get? • Certified get one every year through year 10 • Every other year through year 21 • A step increase is actually 5 to 6 days of pay • Did you have an increase in certification level?

42. How is pay determined: certified? • Base salary from the state salary scale (185 days for this year) • Add extended year days at the same daily rate • Extended day hours based on the same daily rate • Local supplement according to the local supplement scale • Not provided to administrators • Currently cut for teacher positions • Responsibility supplements for additional responsibility (approved scale) • Department chairs • Athletic • Administrators

43. Comparing Compensation

44. Superintendent Pay • Negotiated contract: 3 year maximum allowed • My contract includes: (32 years of experience and PHD) • Base pay from the salary schedule for 185 days (5 days) • Extended days are 45 (5 day reduction) • Responsibility supplement • Cost of living raise in FY09 • Benefit: Travel allowance is included • Benefits: The district pays my share of my retirement • Fluctuates based on current TRS employee rate

45. General Fund Balance • Beginning Balance, July 1, 2011, was $3,005,533 • Projected ending fund balance on June 30, 2012, is $1,809,300 • Projected ending fund balance on June 30, 2013, if no adjustments are made to revenues or expenditures will be $210,493 • Minimal fund balance to operate is about $1,314,600 (5% of revenues)

46. Our Local Challenges The “funding cliff” has arrived…. • Significant state cuts (austerity cuts) will remain in place. • Federal stimulus funds are no longer available to offset state cuts. • Our tax digest is decreasing and the result is reduced local revenues. • Our equalization grant has been cut by over $1 million. • Employee benefit costs are increasing significantly.

47. Our Local Challenges • We have been cutting programs, positions and operations since Fy2008. • Staff pay of some kind has been cut every year since 2008 • Increased accountability and mandates • We still must do whatever it takes to improve the achievement and futures of our students

48. The Strategic School System • “…we searched for patterns of resource use across schools and found that despite differences in school level, size, location, student population, or even instructional focus, high performing schools used their resources in very consistent ways” The Strategic School: Making the Most of People, Time, and Money Miles and Frank

49. “The Big Three”Guiding Principles • Invest in teacher quality • Focus time on core academics • Create individual attention

50. Teacher Quality • “….high-quality teaching is about five times more effective than typical reductions in class size. Similarly, small groups, individual tutoring, and increased academic time only have significant benefit on student performance when the quality of instruction is high.” • The Strategic School: Making the Most of People, Time, and Money Miles and Frank