Letter to parents

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Letter to parents; 3/17/06
Tweet Topic Started: Mar 17 2006, 03:46 PM (1,952 Views)
NFarquharson	Mar 17 2006, 03:46 PM Post #1
Principal Posts: 4,311 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: November 9, 2005	Some parents have received this letter via e-mail today and 2 of them forwarded it to me for posting: March 17, 2006 Dear LPS parents & staff: We continue to receive general questions about our school district and the upcoming changes known as the бзLegacy Initiative.би These questions center around the educational benefits of the program and also seek answers to general financial questions. These are separate from the information being shared by our District Transition Team that is focusing on transition activities. While you may already have heard or seen some of this information, we hope you find it useful. Look for future articles and informative pieces as we seek to keep you informed about issues that are important to you. Sincerely, Jay A. Young, Director Community Services Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Why did the Demographics Committee recommend the new grade configuration that was eventually approved by the board? A: The committee found the following features of the K-4, 5-6 configuration compelling when compared to other alternatives; foremost was improved educational programs for students, including: Гд restoring or adding programs at the 5th and 6th grade level such as physical education and instrumental music, and other possibilities; Гд more focused and improved professional development for teachers leading to improved instruction; Гд more equal and balanced class sizes across the district; Гд reduced operating costs which in turn reallocates resources to our classrooms. In addition, the plan: Гд does not require us to significantly redraw district boundaries; Гд will not split up students after they leave the 6th or 8th grades as now occurs; Гд allows for an elementary setting for 5th and 6th graders while also providing improved and more focused student programs to meet their needs; Гд reduces the need for classes with split grades; Гд reduces the need to transfer kindergarten students away from their home school when there arenбжt enough students for full classrooms in their school. Q: If this program only saves 1% of the budget, is it worth it? A: In addition to the educational benefits noted above, we know that after reducing approximately $19 million dollars over the past five years, every dollar saved is important to maintain school programs. Some of the budget reductions over the past five years have included the following: Гд Physical Education and special area classes in elementary - $1.1 million; Гд elementary and secondary classroom teachers - $2.5 million; Гд elementary and secondary programs - $3.4 million; Гд textbook and library materials - $900,000; Гд maintenance and operation of our schools - $4.7 million; Гд Student Services (special education) - $800,000; Гд curriculum support and services- $700,000; Гд administration and central support - $3.7 million. Q: What does 1% of the budget represent? A: One percent is the equivalent of approximately $1.6 million. The plan is expected to save between $1.5 and $2.1 million. From a program perspective, $1.6 million in our budget is equivalent to any one of the following items: Гд a reduction of 27 classroom teachers, which would cause increases in class size and elimination or reduction of elective choices in secondary schools; Гд the elimination of all elementary and middle school library/media specialists; Гд the elimination of the entire budget for general education paraprofessionals in all elementary and secondary schools; Гд the elimination of the entire budget for athletic and extra curricular activities; Гд the reduction of transportation for our general education students by one-third; Гд the elimination of the entire budget for elementary and secondary teaching supplies, office supplies, textbooks, new & replacement equipment, library books and materials, and library on-line services. Q: I have heard the state is giving all school districts more money next year. Canбжt the district wait before implementing the plan? A: School districts across the state may receive up to a $200 per student increase next year. However, this has not yet been approved. If it does occur, this would mean an added $3.5 million in revenues for LPS. Unfortunately, the state is also proposing an increase in retirement costs that would cost LPS $1.6 million. A projected enrollment decline would also reduce revenues by $1.3 million. This leaves less than one million dollars to cover all other cost increases such as utilities, health insurance, etc. Thus, LPS still faces financial challenges, as do other districts across the state. Q: Are other districts making budget reductions? A: Yes. Recent articles in the newspaper have many districts cutting $2 - $15 million from their budgets including: Farmington, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, W. Bloomfield, Wayne-Westland, Plymouth-Canton, Troy, Huron Valley, and Redford Union. Q: Has the school district looked into other cost saving or revenue enhancement ideas? A: Yes. LPS has implemented a variety of programs that have created millions of dollars over the years for district educational programs. They include: Гд revenue from leasing vacant buildings and individual rooms in our schools; Гд increasing state revenues by aggressively seeking programs outside our K-12 schools such as Young Fives and Shared Time, that bring additional enrollment to the district and provide programs the community needs; Гд savings in utility costs through energy efficiencies such as new lighting ballasts, electronic controls, conservation efforts, replacing glass with energy efficient panels, and other ongoing measures to be more energy efficient; Гд revenue from a contract with a beverage company; Гд savings in utility costs by purchasing natural gas through a consortium that provides better pricing by purchasing directly from the well- head; Гд savings in communication costs by changing telephone service providers and seeking rebates provided from the Federal Government through the E-Rate program; Гд recycling efforts that provide additional revenue and cost savings from reduced waste disposal; Гд savings in employee benefit costs by changing providers and reducing the level of benefits; Гд cost savings realized by avoiding premiums we pay only for actual claims and administrative fees. LPS is self-insured for most of our health, general liability, and workers compensation insurance; Гд cost savings from utilizing a bus shuttle system, to more efficiently provide transportation to private and specialized programs. Q: Does the district consult with other districts to share ideas? A: Yes, we work closely and share ideas with other districts. We have also explored other industries to find new cost saving plans. Over the years we have realized revenue from providing services to other districts and the community such as: Гд professional development training; Гд printing services; Гд cooperative warehousing; Гд transportation services; Гд food preparation.



Grant1	Mar 17 2006, 05:01 PM Post #2
We have just begun to fight! Posts: 3,167 Group: Members Member #117 Joined: November 14, 2005	Interesting piece. If this information would have been shared before the LI vote and demographics meetings, and had the stakeholders been given a chance to review this information in depth, we might have had an actual effective dialogue for discussion between the BOE/LPS and the citizen's. I am afraid at this point it looks like damage control and spin.



professionalmom	Mar 17 2006, 06:06 PM Post #3
Principal Posts: 244 Group: Members Member #293 Joined: January 26, 2006	Noticed that one-time costs still are not mentioned. In the real world, an economic analysis including start up costs for all three alternatives would have been prepared/examined and then presented.



NFarquharson	Mar 17 2006, 06:09 PM Post #4
Principal Posts: 4,311 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: November 9, 2005	professionalmom Mar 17 2006, 06:06 PM Noticed that one-time costs still are not mentioned. In the real world, an economic analysis including start up costs for all three alternatives would have been prepared/examined and then presented. This is not the real world, it's all a bad dream!



bmom	Mar 17 2006, 10:20 PM Post #5
Principal Posts: 256 Group: Members Member #115 Joined: November 13, 2005	I almost have to laugh when I read this. Jay Young is a poor excuse for a PR person. What the heck does LPS pay him to do??? I think this is an area that they could reduce admin cost for sure. I've been wondering all along where the heck has been the LPS PR person. Now he is putting his name to something. Anyone could cut and paste information that was put in the original pamphlet when they introduced the LI in October. Just another CYA move.



JoJo	Mar 18 2006, 12:38 PM Post #6
Principal Posts: 445 Group: Members Member #331 Joined: March 2, 2006	Why have some recived this LI FAQ and some has not? I still have not.



fyi	Mar 18 2006, 03:28 PM Post #7
Principal Posts: 2,738 Group: Members Member #206 Joined: December 9, 2005	Who got the letter? Why isn't this being sent to everyone? I find it interesting that they consider the million left over from the State not enough. We are saying the same thing about the supposed savings from the LI. Quote: A: School districts across the state may receive up to a $200 per student increase next year. However, this has not yet been approved. If it does occur, this would mean an added $3.5 million in revenues for LPS. Unfortunately, the state is also proposing an increase in retirement costs that would cost LPS $1.6 million. A projected enrollment decline would also reduce revenues by $1.3 million. This leaves less than one million dollars to cover all other cost increases such as utilities, health insurance, etc. Thus, LPS still faces financial challenges, as do other districts across the state. ****************************************************************** In my opinion, after implementing the LI, LPS will still face financial challenges. It costs a lot of money to implement and does not save the district a substantial amount of money. They will be cutting programs in the future......it's a bad plan.



NFarquharson	Mar 18 2006, 03:36 PM Post #8
Principal Posts: 4,311 Group: Members Member #103 Joined: November 9, 2005	Not to mention the inevitiable decline in enrollment!



fyi	Mar 18 2006, 03:43 PM Post #9
Principal Posts: 2,738 Group: Members Member #206 Joined: December 9, 2005	Factor in declining enrollment, not just normal declining enrollment but that which can be directly attributed to the implementation of the LI, and where is the $$$? Does the "projected enrollment decline" (stated in the above letter and estimated at 1.3 million), account for kids that will be leaving because of the LI? That would add up to approx. 158 students Have they already accounted for people leaving because of the LI?



Grant1	Mar 18 2006, 03:45 PM Post #10
We have just begun to fight! Posts: 3,167 Group: Members Member #117 Joined: November 14, 2005	I did not receive one, and I have 2 kids in LPS...?



ktmom	Mar 18 2006, 04:12 PM Post #11
Principal Posts: 520 Group: Members Member #72 Joined: November 2, 2005	I received the letter forwarded to me by someone who is signed up for email correspondence at Stevenson High School.



grant_two	Mar 18 2006, 04:17 PM Post #12
2nd Grade Posts: 13 Group: Members Member #339 Joined: March 7, 2006	It came home with other notes on Friday from our school. It does seem strange that not everyone received this.



49chevy	Mar 18 2006, 04:24 PM Post #13
Answers questioned Posts: 1,270 Group: Members Member #306 Joined: February 15, 2006	I've got 3 kids in LPS, and no letter either... <_<



Rose	Mar 18 2006, 04:27 PM Post #14
Principal Posts: 759 Group: Members Member #171 Joined: November 30, 2005	grant_two Mar 18 2006, 04:17 PM It came home with other notes on Friday from our school. It does seem strange that not everyone received this. I haven't recieved it either, and I go through my child's backpack everyday. No email either.



Hull_CHS	Mar 18 2006, 04:37 PM Post #15
Principal Posts: 36 Group: Members Member #321 Joined: February 27, 2006	I received it as an email, I am on an email list at Churchill.


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