USD 284

USD 284 - Rumor Control #5

Written by Administrator Saturday, 27 March 2010 13:28

Good afternoon.   Listed below are some of the latest rumors that have been brought to our attention and what is actually happening in regards to each of those rumors. Thanks for your suggested items for Rumor Control #5.    Good rumors are always appreciated!

1.   KG Location in 2010-11.   The BOE approved in February a Building Reconfiguration Plan that included a 7-12 Building at the current CCHS, a 1-6 Building at the current CCMS and KG / District Offices at the current CCES. In response to that decision, the teams then began planning for schedules, assignments and services at those three locations. In doing so and in conjunction with ongoing efforts to move the local preschool to the old CCES site, it became obvious that having the KG at the old CCES site was a scheduling nightmare (meals, transportation, special education services and shared teachers) as well as making a possible preschool move to that location even that much more difficult.     In response to those concerns the team looked at other options for the KG youngsters in 2010-11.   Mr. Talkington was able to free up the needed KG classroom space at the CCMS site without hurting other classes in that building and arrangements are being made to provide the computer resources that were previously planned for that KG classroom space. In response to those accommodations and to do what is best for our KG students, Jay and I will recommend on 4/5/10 that KG be housed at the current CCMS building in 2010-11.    Since the original reconfiguration plan was approved by the BOE, this change to that approved plan will also require the approval of the Board on 4/5/10.      This is a pending BOE decision.

2.   City Student Transport in 2010-11.    If the BOE approves a K-6 Building in Strong City or if they decide to stay with a 1-6 Building, we will need to decide how we are going to transport those elementary students in Cottonwood Falls who previously were able to walk to school with transportation to their elementary school in Strong City.    Conversely, those 7-8 students who live in Strong City will now need transport to the 7-12 Building in CWF.   This need was discussed in detail at this morning’s transportation meeting and plans are being formulated to provide this transport as needed.   We are not sure exactly how it will be done but this transport could be done via a “shuttle bus” driven by one of our C-M Workers who are all required to have and maintain a CDL license or from existing pickup points.     More details to follow when decisions are made and suggestions are always appreciated.

3. Teacher Assignments for 2010-11.    All teachers in USD 284 have now been told what their teaching assignments will or will not be in 2010-11.   The BOE previously approved a teacher staffing reduction from the current 36.0 FTE (Full Time Equivalency) to 32.0 FTE.    The five current teachers needed to accomplish that 4.0 FTE reduction and who will be recommended for non-renewal or reduction in force (RIF) on 4/5/10 have all been personally notified.    The 4/5/10 BOE Meeting Agenda will be released next Friday and it will include the names of those teachers who will be recommended for non-renewal or reduction in force actions.

4. Graduation Requirements.    There is another rumor going around that our seniors in 2010-11 will not be able to get enough credits to graduate.   As with most rumors, this rumor is based on negativity not fact.   The BOE recently approved a 7-Period Class Schedule for CCJSHS (Chase Count Junior-Senior High School) in 2010-11.   That change means in 4 years of high school, a HS student would be able to get 4 x 7 or 28 credits if they pass all their classes.   That is 4 less possible credits than the current 8-Block system which allows 4 x 8 or 32 total credits.   Mr. Ireland is well aware of this potential problem and has already worked with the district curriculum team (CCAT) to develop and recommend a revised Graduation Requirement total for the Class of 2011 and beyond.    This plan will be a 3-year “phase-in” revision and will be recommended to the BOE on 4/5/10.    Every high school student who makes a legitimate effort to meet Graduation Requirements and who has not gotten too far behind will be able to graduate.   Anyone who says otherwise is simply spreading an untrue rumor.     For details of the revised Graduation Requirement plan please contact John as needed.

5. Instructional Time.    Still another rumor going around is that the approved 7-Period Class Schedule will mean less instruction time for students and thereby provide an “inferior” educational opportunity. That is a true rumor only if we allow it to be true.   There is no doubt that the Block Schedule has some real advantages.   Among those advantages is the ability to provide differentiated learning activities in the longer class periods including time to do homework and work on projects as well as time for student instruction.   There is also no argument that the traditional 7-Period Day will not provide some of those extra opportunities but it should not negatively impact the amount of time actually spent instructing students.    How that plays out will be determined solely by the lesson plans and lessons of all affected teachers.   We have great teachers at CCJSHS and they will make sure each student is getting the instruction they need to be successful.   Whether you like or dislike the Block Schedule there is no doubt that a Block Schedule requires more teaching units to effectively staff.   Unfortunately, the current economic mess we find ourselves in just does not provide adequate state funding to fund those extra instructional resources.    Lots and lots of schools in Kansas including most of our neighboring school districts are coming to the sad conclusion that they just can no longer afford the Block Schedule. We are one of those schools.   When (not if) the economic picture improves, we can always revisit the Block Schedule instruction option as needed.   Unfortunately, right now we just cannot afford it. But, to say that kids will not be successful in the 7-Period Class Schedule is refuted by the many, many good and effective schools in Kansas currently on and thriving in that schedule and also a direct affront to the good and positive teachers who can and will make it work.   It is important to remember that this is all about the needs of our students.

Once again, your active involvement in doing the best we can to address this current budget challenge in a positive and productive manner for kids is most appreciated and needed.   Change is upon us whether we want it to be or not.   Working together we can and will do what is best for kids.    Your ideas, comments and suggestions are always welcome. We may not always agree but we will always listen.   Thank you.

Greg M.

USD 284 - Rumor Control #2

Written by Administrator Monday, 22 February 2010 20:36

bulldog Good morning. Listed below are some of the rumors and/or requests for clarification that we have received since Edition #1 of the Rumor Control series. As always, we cannot communicate too much or be too accurate and open about these critical matters. Please let me know if you have anything else you need clarified and/or given accurate information on. Thanks. Greg M.

USD 284 - Rumor Control #1

Written by Administrator Sunday, 14 February 2010 23:12

Good afternoon shareholders to the educational mission of USD 284.    We are without question living in very difficult times the likes of which we have not seen for quite a while.   Change is an inevitable part of meeting the challenges of these difficult times.    Change is seldom easy for any of us and often results in a proliferation of rumors some of which have merit but most of which do not.    This is the first edition of a Rumor Control email series that will be sent to all shareholders whenever one is needed.     If you have a rumor you want confirmed or want to know what is actually happening, please let me know and I will include your rumor and response in the next edition of the Rumor Control.      Thanks.

Building Use Configuration.   On 2/1/10 the BOE approved a building use configuration option of having a BOE / KG @ CCES, a 1-6 @ CCMS and a 7-12 @ CCHS. That BOE decision included classified and certified staffing levels without personnel identification and was step-3 in a 5-step process. The BOE makes all final personnel decisions and with the exception of administrator staffing for 2010-11, the BOE has made zero personnel decisions at this time.
Class Schedules and Duty Assignments.     The principals and supervisors are currently developing class schedule and duty assignment recommendations to meet the staff reduction levels (certified and classified) approved by the BOE on 2/1/10 (step-3). Those recommendations will be made to the BOE on 3/8/10 by the principals and supervisors and will constitute step #4 in this process.    On a related note, Mr. Ireland has requested and is going to visit other 7-12 schools in the area to review the class schedules in those schools.   That information will be used by John and his shareholders to develop a class schedule (without personnel identification) that will be recommended to the BOE on 3/8/10.    The BOE will make all class and duty schedule decisions for FY11.    The BOE has made zero class and duty assignment decisions at this time.
Personnel Schedules and Duty Assignments.    When the BOE approves a Class Schedule and Duty Assignment recommendation from the principals and supervisors (step #4), the principals and supervisors will then begin their personnel recommendations to staff schedules and duty assignments approved by the BOE.   That action will mark the beginning of step-5 in this process.    The conclusion of step-5 will be an approval by the BOE at a TBD BOE meeting of a recommended staffing recommendation for both classified and certified employees impacted by these budget reductions. As stated above, the BOE makes all final personnel decisions and with the exception of administrator staffing for FY11, the BOE has made zero personnel decisions for FY11 at that time.
Severance Package.    In an attempt to see if any our certified and eligible teachers would consider retirement as an option for the BOE to consider when make the required and eventual personnel decisions (step-5), the BOE has asked the teachers union (CCEA) for permission to reopen contract negotiations.    Teacher union approval is required before the USD can even offer such a package to any of the certified teachers who are party to the negotiated and ratified teacher union contract.    At this time, CCEA has not responded to the USD request to do so and there have been zero USD severance package offers finalized and/or offered at this time.   The only thing the USD has done in this regard is to ask for CCEA permission to consider that option.
Social Security Number Incident.     USD 284 has requested and received a written statement from the one (1) district patron who was inadvertently and without intent given confidential employee data when requesting open-records staff salary data. This signed statement verifies that this patron did not make copies of the shared information that included confidential data.    USD 284 has also requested and is proceeding with professional verification that the one (1) district patron who was inadvertently and without intent given confidential employee data when requesting open-records staff salary data did not electronically share that data with any other parties. Those two steps constitute the actions taken by the district on behalf of the employees whose information was shared inadvertently and without intent with one (1) district patron to ensure that those confidential records were not shared with any other parties.    USD 284 has also offered in writing to CCEA to purchase a 1-year identification protection plan and insurance policy for all employees whose data was shared inadvertently and without intent with one (1) district patron.   At this time, the USD has not received an official response from CCEA to that USD offer.    A copy of the written verification of no copies made and a copy of the pending technical inspection for electronic copies will be shared with all impacted employees.
Classified Employee Duty Recommendations.     All classified employee placement recommendations will be based on job performance.     Seniority will be one of the factors considered but it will not be the sole determinant of those recommendations. At this time zero classified duty recommendations have been completed or approved by the BOE.
Certified Employee Duty Recommendations.     Once the BOE has considered and approved a student class schedule and duty assignment recommendation (step-4), the administrative team will then prepare and make a certified employee placement recommendation (step-5) to staff the class schedule and required assignments approved by the BOE. That recommendation (step-5) for certified employees will be in full compliance with all terms and conditions of state law and the current approved and ratified contract with the teacher union (Negotiated Agreement) and as needed to legally provide the instructional services for the BOE-approved schedule and assignment.   Every attempt will be made as defined by state law and the teacher’s contract to put the best possible and certified teacher in each and every class on the BOE-approved class schedule.   At this time zero certified duty recommendations have been completed or approved by the BOE.
2010-11 District Calendar.   The BOE previously approved a 5-Day School Week Calendar with 15 more minutes per day and 6 less days per year.   The BOE on 2/1/10 rejected a 4-Day School Week Calendar for any consideration in 2010-11.    The BOE did ask for a second revision of the 5-Day School Week Calendar with additional but not excessive instructional minutes and fewer total school days per year. I am working with the DCT on that calendar at this time.   Details to be shared ASAP.    At this time the +15 minutes / - 6 days 5-Day Week Calendar is BOE-approved but is subject to reconsideration and change by the BOE which makes all district calendar decisions.
Legislative Addresses, Etc.    I earlier challenged you to write your elected officials regarding FY11 Budget decisions being considered and made.   Stand by for the information.   I will get it to you ASAP.

Thanks for all you do for the children of Chase County.   Working together we can accomplish anything.    I challenge you to be part of the solution to the challenges we face and not a part of that challenge itself.    Thanks.   Greg M.

USD 284

USD 284 - Rumor Control #5

USD 284 - Rumor Control #2

USD 284 - Rumor Control #1

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