2006-01-25 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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G I n the I o Centennial School District news from Centenn ial Communications-763-792-61 08 January 13, 2006 Restoration process includes input option by Cathy "Wyland, Community Services Director A process has been set up to receive input from stake- holders interested in the restoration of staffing, programs and services. The restoration is possible thanks to resident approval of a November operat- ing levy that halts four years of budget cuts in the Centennial District that increased class sizes while cutting $5.4 million in staff, programs and services. State legislative support in July, 2005, allowed the district to add back nine of the 51 teachers that were cut and 12.5 of the 36 support positions at a cost of $657,000. There were no administrative add backs de- spite the loss of four positions. Some of the levy funds will cover the increased cost of doing business (inflation, increases in energy costs, etc.), some will correct short-term funding shifts, and the bulk will go toward reinstatement of programs and services ac- complished by adding teachers and support staff. About half the amount cut over the previous four years, or $2.7 million, will be available for actual im- provements, making the deliberations over district priori- ties both important and challenging. Superintendent Roger Worner, with input from the Centennial School Board and administration, has set forth the following criteria for reinstatements: · Include those items promised as a part of the referendum campaign (re- duce class size by adding back 15-20 teachers, restore some paraprofessional posi- tions, restore some services, purchase new textbooks, update curriculum, increase teacher/staff training, aid the district with rising fuel costs, help control extra- curricular fees, and slow the need for future budget reductions). · Be sufficiently well planned so budget cuts do not reoccur over the next four years (unless some unfore- seen tragedy-e.g. state funding loss-erupts). · Focus on highest priority needs and/or areas per- ceived to yield highest return on dollar investment. · Include opportunities for input from all stakeholders. · May be made in conjunction with altering programs and services from earlier forms. · May be directed to only a few, high priority compo- nents of a previously delivered program or service. · May be accompanied by a fee for service component. · Must resolve select, past funding shifts implemented to minimize even greater budget cuts in the past. · Must maintain a comprehensive school district serv- ing all children. Input will flow from community members to princi- pals or the superintendent; from parents and students to principals; and from staff to principals or supervisors and then to the superintendent. Input will be collected from all interested stakeholders in January. It will be reviewed, analyzed and prioritized by the district's Executive Cabinet (principals and dis- trict administrator) and superintendent, and will result in a set of recommendations being presented to the Centennial School Board. All input submissions will be posted on the district website. Want to share a suggestion? Please use the form below. Centennial Restoration Submission Want to share a suggestion? Please submit suggestions to a building principal, district administrator or superintendent by Jan. 31. To submit via mail, send to: Centennial Restoration, 4707 North Road, Circle Pines, MN 55014, use the Community Services Drop Box, send it via fax to 763-792-6050, or via the webmaster at www.isdI2.org. Remember, the referendum campaign targeted these restorations: reduce class size by adding back 15-20 teachers, restore some paraprofessional positions, restore some ser- vices, purchase new textbooks, update curriculum, increase teacher/staff training, aid the district with rising fuel costs, help control extra-curricular fees, and slow the need for future budget reductions. Optional: Name School