UPDATE
Here is a link to a version of the presentation that earlier versions of Power Point can open.
Phil Lenz's website has the school plan, presented last night to the School Committee available here for downloading. It is a Power Point presentation ...
... and requires the Office 2007 version to open. What do you think of it?
I don't have Office 2007 so I will have to wait for conversion to an earlier version or a hardcopy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
School plan 09-11 for download
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27 comments:
Here is the link to the free PowerPoint 2007 viewer provided by Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=048DC840-14E1-467D-8DCA-19D2A8FD7485&displaylang=en
Looks like it got truncated, try this:
www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=048DC840-14E1-467D-8DCA-19D2A8FD7485&displaylang=en
Now that I have looked at a copy of the presentation, I have to say that I am disappointed to see the slide where our per pupil spending is compared to the state average. This is a completely irrelevant comparison and not at all helpful in illuminating a path forward. Reardless of what any other town spends per pupil, our town can only spend the money that we have available. Mr. Nunes remarked last night that an additional $2,500 per student multiplied by over 4,000 students amounts to over $10,000,000.
That amount, $10,000,000, would require a property tax increase of 25% if raised through an override. It is more than the entire discretionary portion of the budgets of all other town departments combined.
I posted here on what a viable plan for the foreseeable future of our town might look like. There is no money for even modest increases in school spending beyond the 4-5% increase that is mandated in minimum required net school spending. That statement is just a fact. The school department must plan to live with that level of funding.
I was also at the meeting that night and in no way did Nunes ever mention an override. What he said was that the benchmark of per pupil spending has been widening between what the Town spends and the State average. He also said that if the Town was to spend at State average, that would mean an additional $10 million in the school's budget.
But here you go again Bill, inciting the few by placing words into a area where nothing of the kind was ever said. At least clarify your statement that it was you, not Nunes that added the part of the override.
Lastly, did you know that the Town is in the bottom 15% of per pupil spending? Are you satisified with that? I'm not.
Bill, Im disappointed. There was no mention of override.In fact it was mentioned several times that we are working within MNSS and will be for the foreseeable future. The slide you refer to is relevant in the simple fact we are falling farther and farther behind the state average in per pupil spending.Why does this bother you? We have accepted it(we dont like it but we accept it).
What is the point of including that slide in the presentation?
To illustrate that Dartmouth spends less than the state average?
We have done that for decades. Someone please tell me, why bring it up?
You accuse me of inciting people on this obscure blog but that slide is just a way to whip up resentment with parents that their kids are being shortchanged. To what end, that's my question?
The DPS have continually been asked to educate our children with less for years. It's a fact that everyone in this town must continually be reminded of, as the majority of households in the town no longer have a child in the DPS.
I think the goals are right in line with what everyone has been asking the DPS to do, “put student learning and achievement first” with specific tools and measurable results and timeframes.
Look at this as a step forward and work together to implement, not try to nitpick or find fault as Mr. Lenz so eloquently said the DPS is living within MNSS because they have decided that it is what is best for the town as a whole. This is a compromise not because the SC and the DPS likes it as they most certainly don’t think it’s what is good for the children of this town. I as a parent most certainly don’t see it that way either but have also learned to accept it for now.
Bill, I see no reason not to include that slide. There have been untold times over the past several years where people have said the school department spends too much money in Dartmouth. This one piece of data is one way to show that this is not the case - take it for what it's worth. As you know the MA Dept of Education puts out reams of comparative data to assist citizen's in evaluatiing how their educational tax dollars are spent. It is a 'fact' that our spending is less than the state average like it or not.
What is disappointing to me is that having read the information provided by the school administration the one item you feel compelled to blog about is this one slide?
Nothing about how fully 1/3 of our student population is reading below their grade level? That's what I find truly disappointing and worthy of discussion about shy that is and how we can change that grim statistic.
The admin made the encouraging statement at last night's meeting about a 'sea change' and a re-focusing on how to achieve better academic achievement within the confines of MRNSS. I hope they truly mean that and it would be nice if the community as a whole could do the same.
Greg Jones
The slide was included(in my opinion) to show the truth to everyone. Not just the parents but everyone. The slide simply shows we are going to(and have to) establish other means to support student learning as the title suggests.
In the past 3 years(2005-07) We have fallen another $325 below the average with no end in sight. How long before we are the lowest per pupil in the state?. Its like trying to win the Daytona 500 with a volkswagon. No matter how many times you check tire pressures or wedge you dont have the horsepower to compete.Your car will run better maybe go alittle faster.But you cant compete. And someone is always trying to hire your crew chief for their team.As for your comment about parents resenting the way their childrens education is funded and feeling shortchanged I can not only understand but agree. As the first slide of the presentation reads " We are educating students for their future ,NOT for our past."
"The admin made the encouraging statement at last night's meeting about a 'sea change' and a re-focusing on how to achieve better academic achievement within the confines of MRNSS. I hope they truly mean that and it would be nice if the community as a whole could do the same."
Greg, we all "hope they truly mean that." But, you can't blame the community for wondering otherwise. Between the Town side and the schools, over the past many months since override #1 and following were to be the saviour of both the school and the Town, we've listened to contradictions such as the "inciting" statement from our own superintendent of schools,(Gidley and Cushman will close, not, will, not, will"; promises to "look into," "discuss," "consider," etc; study/survey after study/survey commissioned (one even unbeknownst to the SB itself) and committees formed to "study" these "studies"; a delay in hiring a labor negotiator for the Town side (until Bill brought it up some 5-6 months after the prior SB interviewed the first of the candidates and, finally, weeks later, the Town did hire Mr.Greenspan); weeks lost with accusations from both the SB and SC about how each is not "communicating" with the other, thus delaying a joint meeting to discuss the crucial issue of our children's education (how hard is it to get together with a quorum of both if each side is in earnest, if the goal is as important as our children's future?); the school's fiasco of the $300,00 for books for K-5 (Ellen Hamilton's hard-earned battle won for the kids, the war lost by the generals); and, I'm sure,others can add their own examples to the list.
Can you see how residents can still have a bitter taste in their mouths? This is not solely a school problem. Residents have good reason to mistrust both the Town and the school. To say the school will live within the confines of MNSS "because they have decided that it is what is best for the town as a whole" is encouraging to hear. But this comes long after hearing "override, override, override," and being told we are anti-education, anti-school, anti-kids, and worse, if we disagree with the way Dartmouth wants to spend our money.
Don't blame Bill for "inciting the few." Dartmouth residents SHOULD remember that dreaded "override" word. They would be foolish not to. It should be in the back of everyone's mind. We should never get complacent or wrap ourselves in a blanket of false security.
Bill never stated that Mr. Nunes mentioned an override. Bill merely added that this money would be necessitated by an override. Perhaps a better reading of his post is in order before some of you jump on his case?
I wonder if you all have a problem with an individual who stands up for what he thinks is right, states his opinion, and just maybe, echoes what the majority of residents think and want? (And, yes, that is a good, quality education for our children, lest you believe otherwise.)
Maybe you should also "accept" the facts of Dartmouth's finances and the fact that Dartmouth residents do not have the deep pockets you would like us to have, even if you do not like to do so.
I don't think 'spending too much money' is main complaint of residents in town. The main complaint is how that money is spent. Of course, no one but the school gets to decide how that money gets used within the system. If residents do not agree with how the money is spent, we are the bad guys who hate children. The residents don't have much say or control here. Of course the schools want more money. Doesn't everybody want more money! Look at the economy folks...we don't have it. Better start educating our kids about the future and change in how we utilize funds we do have.
Anon 9:59, I did not say Bill is inciting anybody, that's the main problem I have with anonymous posts there is no accountability, anyway, yes, I hope the admin truly means it when they talk about a change in focus. I do stand behind my assertion about the loud and vociferous complaints about spending too much on teacher salaries, admin salaries, buildings etc. so the inclusion of the 1 slide comparing our cost/pupil to the state is worth including in the presentation.
The admin asked for no override this fall, has stated now numerous times they will not be asking for one in the forseeable future and will live within MRNSS and still we can't seem to talk at all about educational issues. Why is that I wonder?
Does anyone else see 1/3 of our students reading below their grade level as a problem? Why is this so? What can we do to change that?
Greg Jones
I dont remember Ellen having anything to do with the 300,00 dollars for the books.Though im sure she'll tell you otherwise(check with the DPG) I was told it was to deflect a possible raid for the money from meeting members at town meeting. As for the schools fiasco with the money they had virtually no time to decide which books to purchase after being given the money. Its not like buying a tv. You need to make sure you purchase the best and best suited for the system. make the wrong purchase and you've doomed the students. They had days not months so I dont see a "fiasco"
Other school systems in the area have purchased the wrong books and are now paying the price.
Sorry anon 9:59 - I attributed a comment to you from anon 10:01.
One last thing, I am discouraged as anyone about the lack of communication between the SC and SB side of things and have asked countless times for them to meet/speak more often. How can disagrements be bridged without conversation? If these conversations occur once a year they do no good. After an entire of summer of missed opportunities they met in August and have stated they want to meet on a quarterly basis together. That's a start and we'll see if it happens. As I've also stated numerous times at both SC and SB meetings those of us with kids in the system now take no solace in waiting months and months and now years to start talking about how to make things better. instead we waste precious time bickering back and forth about things like slides in a presentation. Crazy if you ask me.
Greg Jones
Greg, I am wondering if parents, and more of them, need to continue and do more pressuring of the SC regarding the cost of administrative salaries, etc.? Contracts will be renegotiated soon, and perhaps they need to be mindful of the parent/public interest. Like some parents and Dartmouth residents, you should not "go away," just increase your numbers! Wasn't there a comment made at one SC meeting, by an SC member, too, if I am correct, that not many parents are complaining and making their voices heard? This sounds to me like a plea for increased pressure on the SC/administration. I should think the SB would back you on this, as well.
On a general note, do you have any thoughts on how we can better reach the Town administrators/officials to better serve us and do what they need to do as directed by the Charter they (most likely) okayed?
And how can residents help you? Perhaps residents, parents or not, can all work together and help one another with the goals we all would like to see occur in Dartmouth, for the benefit of the entire community. Maybe we've been fragmented too long, each with our own issues. Maybe it's time to unite and show this government what the ordinary person can do? (Of course, that will be tough, unless we can all put aside any biases, mistrust and/or bitterness toward the "other side.") Like the outcome or not, it's been done in this Town, on a couple of occasions. Maybe we need to become a united force of "ordinary people."
What do you think? Can we help each other, and how?
I don't know what the answer is anon 11:42. More parents involved? Sure would be nice to see but I know that many see the difficulty in making any kind of meaningful changes. The time it takes to understand the issues and move an inch forward is time taken away from making an impact directly at home. Many people see the immediate payback by working with their own kids and get frustrated by the winding road making institutional changes takes. Many are simply worn out. I also think the format of the SC meetings must change. SMall changes have been made but they are insufficient to convince people that meaningful dialogue can happen and their input is valued. Would more parents turn out if they knew for instance that at each SC meeting 1 topic directly related to educational issues was going to be discussed for 30 minutes? Meetings now are full of boiler plate items that of course must get voted on and approved, milk contracts, bus contracts, honors and awards....all that stuff must be done of course. But if that is the sole purpose of these meetings why bother coming? This has to change in my opinion before more peopple devote their time to the cause.
There should be talk of upcoming contract issues - I don't understand the secrecy that seems to pervade these negotiations. I know there need to be some privacy over contract talks, they cant be hammered out in the newspapers, but I would like to hear from the teacher's union and get a sense that they are sympathetic to the financial circumstances we are in.We've not heard a word.
There should be talk about what other school districts across the nation are doing to confront financial issues, student performance, teacher performance and accountability and parental accountability too. We don't live in a vacuum here and other districts may have solutions that we can tailor to our own circumstances.
To answer the charge that not enough parents voice there opinion to the SC a survey was undertaken by a parent volunteer over the summer. Hundreds of responses were tabulated and sent to the SC and admin - there are concerns. I am hopeful that we will be hearing more from the SC on how they intend to address the common themes the survey presented, but again time is ticking. If those parents that participated in this survey feel their efforts were wasted I feel we lose another chance to involve them in making change.
As far as better relations between the town and school sides, you'd think it would be a no brainer but that does not seem to be the case. How to change that? You're guess is as good as mine but its pretty clear the division between the 2 still exists and that's not helpful to anyone. It would be helpful if we could move past old 'mistakes' or 'errors in judgement' and talk about moving forward instead. Part of that is acepting the problems the educational system has including the grim literacy achievement that was mentioned in the SC meeting Tuesday night. Do we as a town acknowledge this is a matter of great importance? If yes, can we identify the cause or begin to figure out how to remedy this tangible issue instead of arguing about inconsequential things? What else is out there that needs 'fixing' and how can we prioritize our responses to these needs? It would be a start.
Greg Jones
What I said about comparing our spending per pupil to the state average was, "This is a completely irrelevant comparison and not at all helpful in illuminating a path forward. I am happy that the school department realizes that they are going to get MNSS and have a commitment to working within that amount. I believe I tried to say that in my post.
I think that we can all agree that we want the education that our children receive to allow them to be productive members of society. That is the goal. If we don't know what sort of jobs we are training them for, then what sort of eduction would best suit the goal? I maintain that developing students who can comprehend and apply what they read, can write in a clear, concise manner and can think logically and creatively will be those best suited to any challenge. I wrote about that some time agos in this post.
Oops, I wasn't finished when I hit the publish button on the last comment. To continue, if students who can read, write and think are the goal, then I am, of course, very concerned with the fact that a significant portion of our student body is not performing well in those areas. The school department is similarly concerned and I applaud them for focusing on reading and writing in this plan. I think that they got it right. Teaching reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing does not require the latest technology or software. By focusing on those areas, which is the plan as I read it, the schools can equip our students to adapt to any changes they encounter. What do you think?
Greg- I have to take issue with some of what you have said. I am not a teacher but even I believe contract negotiations should remain private in a professional sense. Their salaries are public already in number as a percentage of the budget etc. If you want to know if they are concerned about the town budget ask. if there is a specific concern you have for the sc call them, when you've got some info share with the public thru editorials parent group emails and mtgs. If you simply want to vent then comment here. As far as the sb and sc not having a good relationship, pls think before assuming it is the sc's fault or that there is blame to be placed on anyone. Fundamentally there will always be some tension because the sb and fincom cannot dictate how the school spends its money. i am grateful that our schools are in the hands of education professionals, and believe they have acted responsibly. however the sc does not set its budget either. please do not let the divisions caused by the overrides, the economy and this blog undermine the fundamentally sound foundation our town and school leaders have created. it is very easy to point out the negatives but our schools have always done more with less, our town has kept taxes low and until recently we were allowed to take pride in our accomplishments. i don't know how long this economic downturn will last but Dartmouth and its schools will be ok.
That's all fine Anon 1:16. I have not placed blame on either side regarding lack of communication. It's a shared problem in my opinion, and for the record one SB member told me dialogue between the 2 groups was not worth the effort. That's a problem in my view.
I also should say I respect what the SC and SB are doing - they are all well meaning, hard working volunteers that deserve credit for sticking their necks out there and volunteering countless hours of their time - and too often get lambasted for doing their best.
I do think contract negotiations should be private, did not mean to imply otherwise, but is it too much to ask that some guidlines for going forward be presented to the public? Some statement at any SC meeting from the union about how they feel the current situation financially affects their outlook? I would hope by now that anyone that has followed the school issue knows I support what the teachers are paid and then some and have said as much many occassions. I would also hope that you realize that I do ask the school committee questions and simply do not vent on blogs-but this is not about me I would hope.
If 1/3 of our students are performing below grade level in literacy than I cannot accept that our schools are doing more with less. We have to find out why this is - maybe its a lack of resources, maybe its not, I dont know the whys or the solutions, but its for sure an issue that needs an answer. I do know it will not solve itself. Complacency is not an option for those of us with kid(s) in the system.
These are some of the issues that must be addressed and solved. Unless we are serious about confronting that reality well I am afraid 'waiting the economy out' will not move the ball forward.
Anon 1:16, I don't think Greg or anyone here is blaming either the SC or the SB. That is not how I read it. But both need to stop pointing fingers at each other, because both have still been finger-pointing, subtle though it may have been. It's kind of like watching two kids play the game of one-upmanship.
Allow me to "vent." How long does one have to wait to get minutes of meetings? How long does one have to wait to get an email response from a school administrator?
Reread Anon 9:59 for other examples.
Why, knowing they needed new books, did the SC/administration wait until the last minute to "form a committee" to review different publishers and texts and have their choice decided so that all that was needed was for that PO to go out when they got their money (maybe not quite as simplistic, but could have all this been done more efficiently so that our kids would be assured of learning on up-to-date and effective texts long before they now will)?
The next question i would ask is what to do if it is a lack of resources (which i personally think is stating the obvious) what do you propose? I know an override will be lampooned, especially for the schools. I don't want to wait out the economy but I believe our energies are better spent supporting our schools from the ground up, not tearing them apart from the top down.
I believe they had virtually no notice regarding the money. Why have a committee to discuss books that cant be purchased.This had been done a few times in the past and this work ended in the trash as other fiscal priorities won out. The money was appropriated with only a few days left in the fiscal year. Nowhere near enough time to research and investigate all the different publishers and books.
Anon 2:47, what were the "other fiscal priorities (that) won out"? I would be interested to know, and perhaps others reading this would be, too.
And, if there's something of a higher priority than purchasing textbooks, doesn't that in itself tell you something?
I should imagine someone in the school system had an idea what type of literacy series would be effective to teach our children. Could that person or persons have done a little research before the actual need arose? I know everyone is "short-handed," with not enough time to do all that is expected of them, and for which they are getting paid, but now the kids are the ones left empty-handed.
I believe the priorities was fuel oil and electricity (higher priority)since the fincomm didnt deliver on its promise to help a year or two back until the end of fiscal year and the majority of the money went right back. As to your other comment, do you go look at bmw's or cadillacs knowing you can only afford a yugo? being shorthanded I believe they have more important things to do besides research a literacy series we cant afford and wont be buying.
Oil and electricity couldn't have always been top priority, could they? It's only been the past few years that utility and heating costs have begun to spike. How many years previously were they at manageable levels for all of us? As they rose, couldn't there have been some budgeting for them? Experts should be able to foresee to some degree the trends in spiraling costs. That's why they are the experts and that is what they are being (well-) paid for.
Well lets see. until the last few years the school budget was about 600,000 or so above net school spending. when the fuel and utility costs really soared 25%+ a year the town in their generosity cut the budget down to mnss. so 25%+ fuel and utility costs increases per year and suddenly 600,000 is missing from your budget then the town charges are added on where they werent before and voila --no money for much of anything.
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