So, did today's article in the Tribune about the $2.71 million school levy change your mind? It didn't mine.
I'm still waiting to hear what is being done at the administration/support level.
According to the article, the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools indicated that maybe one full-time staff position would be cut. Whoopee. But they are prepared to cut the summer learning camps, which last year taught 780 kids reading and math. I guess the reasoning behind this is because this program is not part of the regular school term. That's right. Cut programs that teach kids some of the basics. We sure wouldn't want literates running around now, would we?
The Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools didn't mention anything about cutting staff. According to the principals, there isn't anymore fat to trim, except for teachers.
Let's take a look at the administration/support of the two traditional high schools:
CMR - 1600 students
I'm still waiting to hear what is being done at the administration/support level.
According to the article, the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools indicated that maybe one full-time staff position would be cut. Whoopee. But they are prepared to cut the summer learning camps, which last year taught 780 kids reading and math. I guess the reasoning behind this is because this program is not part of the regular school term. That's right. Cut programs that teach kids some of the basics. We sure wouldn't want literates running around now, would we?
The Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools didn't mention anything about cutting staff. According to the principals, there isn't anymore fat to trim, except for teachers.
Let's take a look at the administration/support of the two traditional high schools:
CMR - 1600 students
Principal
Associate Principals (3)
Special Education Coordinator (1)
Smaller Learning Community Coordinator (1)
Administrative Assistant (1)
Administration (1)
Secretaries (8)
Great Falls High - 1726 students
Administration/Support:
Principal
Associate Principals (3)
Special Education Coordinator (1)
Attendance (2)
Finance (1)
Records (1)
Scheduling (1)
Support Personnel (6)
Golden Triangle (1) *
Upward Bound (1) *
Vision (1) *
Maybe a member of the school board will explain:
1. * If these positions are unique to GFH or does this staff also work with CMR students? What exactly are these positions?
2. Why all of the administration/support positions at GFH and CMR are required and are not even being considered for cut if the levy should fail.
9 comments:
When I went to High school there was the principal, and the vice principle...I thought it was pretty good. why 3 associate principles, and 8 secretaries??? I thought attendance was declining? back in 90 there was still aroung the same number of kids. 500 somthing in my graduating class.
GFHS has a few different programs geared toward the lower-level students that CMR may not (I'm not sure if they have a need or not.) I don't see why there is a need for 3 VPs either...I felt 2 was sufficient. It still doesn't convince me to give them more money.
They all seem top heavy to me. Why does GFH have a financial person? Can't school finances be handled by the school dist finacial folks?
They are not getting my vote......
I look forward to replying to the request for a board member to provide comments. I will post my comments on Tuesday, April 22, after researching the items to make sure that all information I provide is 100% completely accurate. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on this very important issue - school levies!
Jan Cahill, Trustee, Great Falls Public Schools
While your comments about administrative positions merit research, those salaries do not add up to $2.7million. With the cost of heat and health insurance skyrocketing, why would I think the school district, one of this city's biggest employers, would be immune from those increases? The state funding doesn't keep up with these spiraling costs.
My children have been served well by this school district, so I'm less inclined to be suspicious of the district's motives for pursuing the levy. In fact, our district is the most frugal of the AA districts in the entire state.
I get angry about taxes, too. But I don't think our anger should be directed at the folks who run our schools and the students. We should save that for the folks in Helena!
I well know that the positions I'm questioning do not equal $2.7 million, but the school district needs to look at the whole picture, not just those proposed cuts that generate an emotional response.
What will attract more pro levy votes? Telling everyone what the kids are going to have to do without, or what administration positions are going to be reorganized or possibly eliminated?
The district tells us that even if they don't get the money, they will still offer the same excellent education that they have been offering all along.
I see. They just want more money to make it easier. Wouldn't we all.
I'm starting a new job tommorro. Been a stay at home mom for 6 yrs. Hubby's paycheck always paid the bills, and left for some fun afterwards. Now it dosen't. My new basement just added $1800 to my property taxes, and raised my house pmt $200. I can't afford the levy, I can barley afford to go to work!! Gas and food are outrageous!! I can't even understand how most of this city that makes under $60,000 a year lives. They don't have much fun thats for sure.
Golden Triangle is a curriculum association of schools. I am unsure why GFHS would be an associated school but my private school is one. It helps us to keep on top of the benchmarks and requirements of the Office of Public Instruction in teaching our students. It also provides us with buying power when we purchase new textbooks. Golden Triangle also provides continuing education for teachers and staff.
I apologize for this being posted rather late at night but I had work, family and school board obligations throughout the day into the evening. I do appreciate this opportunity. Let me begin by pointing out that the State of Montana requires each of our two high schools have a total of four licensed school administrators (1 building principal & 3 associate principals) at each campus. (Montana Accreditation Standards 10-55-705) This standard is set by the State Board of Education whose members are appointed by the Governor. Years ago the high schools had one building principal, one vice principal and two dean of students. The high schools no longer have deans. Each high school has a special education coordinator to assure appropriate special education services are being provided to the roughly 11% of high school students who qualify for special education. There are 14 special education teachers at CMR and 13 special education teachers at GFHS. In addition, there are 12 special education para-professionals at CMR and 12 at GFHS. Each high school has had a finance person for many years. Those individuals are responsible for student funds such as yearbook, atheletic fees/events, library fines, various clubs, etc. These are clerical positions. Surprisingly, enrollment at both high schools has remained stable during the past ten years. Enrollment declines have been mostly found in the elementary grades and most recently at the middle school level. I can't explain why there has not been a corresponding decline at the high school level. One explanation might be that elementary age children that attend parochial schools may decide to attend either CMR or GFHS when they reach those grades. If I have counted correctly, there are seven secretaries at CMR and six at GFHS. These individuals work in all areas of the high school including main office, attendance, scheduling, records, and counseling. I have been told these positions have been in place for quite a few years. Keep in mind that our high school enrollment has remained stable. Example: CMR enrollment 2003-2004 - 1736 students; 2005-2006 - 1681 students; 2006-2007 - 1725 students and GFHS 2003-2004 - 1873 students; 2005-2006 - 1937 students; 2006-2007 - 1921 students. The small learning community learning coordinator positions are at both high schools and are funded through a grant - no district funds are used to pay for these two positions. I will provide information on upward bound, golden triangle, and vision as I need to do more research on these areas. Additional information: during the past ten years the district has eliminated the following central office administrative positions - Human Resource Supervisor, Purchasing Supervisor, Transportation Supervisor, Library Supervisor, and the Public Relations Director. With the closure of PGMS three years ago, two administrative positions were eliminated as well as various support staff positions. The closure resulted in the reduction of over $2 million dollars in expenses. I will provide information on the three positions (upward bound, vision and golden triangle) tomorrow. It is important to understand that no final decision has been made about any reductions in the event the levy should not pass. School administration has compiled a list of proposed reductions across the board in all areas. These potential reductions were reviewed by a committee of individuals representing the community, school administration, teachers, and board members during the budgetary process. Our district has the lowest cost per pupil of any of the seven large districts in the state. I believe this demonstrates our commitment to excellence in education while keeping the cost of education to the lowest acceptable level. I (and fellow trustee Stu Nicholson) will be at Schulte's 38th Street Store between 9:30 and noon on THURSDAY, APRIL 25, to answer any questions anyone has about the levy. Please stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee (Stu and I will buy) and visit about the levy or anything about your schools. THANKS! I hope this has been helpful. More to come.
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