Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

Several data sources, including local manufacturers, tell us that United States industries need more people to work in high-tech fields, especially engineering. According to PLTW literature "U.S. Industry needs more than one million engineers and technical workers. Middle schools and high schools can help supply them."

We have been exploring the PLTW curriculum for our middle school students that would address the interest in preparing more people for these occupations. This curriculum would take the place of what has been previously taught in 8th grade industrial technology. Our teachers would be re-trained to teach these classes.

The startup costs for equipment and supplies would be approximately $36,000. There are some grant monies available from the Kern Foundation that would assist with this cost. We will be looking for community partners that have an interest in science, technology, engineering and math to partner with for at least some of the cost beyond what the grant does not cover.

Our high school students can access PLTW through Wright Technical Center in Buffalo. The middle school curriculum would be a good lead up to that.

Click here to see a video on PLTW.

Surplus Property Auction

The school district will hold a surplus property auction on April 4th beginning at 12:00 noon at the Community Education Center, 140 Elm Ave. For a complete listing of sale items click here.

Calendar for 2009-10

The school board has adopted the calendar for 2009-10. The state does not allow schools to start before Labor Day. Labor Day this year falls on September 7 so the earliest school can start is September 8. Some people like a longer winter break and some want school to be out as early as possible in the spring. These two interests were taken into consideration when setting up the calendar. This calendar does have a shorter winter break.

Presidents Day will be used as a snow makeup day if a day is used on or before January 22. The reason for the January 22 date is that families need notice if school is going to be held on a day originally scheduled as a vacation day.

Two bills have been filed in the legislature that would allow schools to start anytime before Labor Day. They are HF195 (in the house) and SF23 (in the senate). If your interested in lobbying for this idea contact legislators. You can find information on contacting legislators and other information here

Budget Update 1.30.09

The school board held a worksession on January 28 to continue discussion on budgetary matters and discuss the process to identify adjustments to the budget for the year beginning July 1, 2009 and beyond.

We will make a presentation to all staff on Wednesday, February 4 at 7:10 a.m. in the middle school auditorium covering the budget planning philosophy, the plan to use some fund balance over the next several years and some financial data. From there we will be convening some committees to review areas within various budget functions. The plan at this time is to have these groups report to the school board on February 25 with initial ideas.

The budget planning documents can be found here

January Board Meeting

The regular meeting of the school board is Monday, January 26 at Delano City Hall. See the agenda posted on my website. You can watch the meeting live on Delano Cable Channel 12. You can also see a webcast of the meeting at a later date on my website.

Jan. 19 Meeting Cancelled

When the January 19 board workshop meeting was set we didn't think about it being Martin Luther King Day. State law does not allow meetings of government bodies on this date. That meeting will probably be rescheduled for Wednesday, January 28.

The next regular meeting of the school board will be Monday, January 26. Tune in to Delano Cable Channel 12 to view that meeting live.

School Finance Update 1.14.09

The school board held a work session on January 13 and identified the following Budget Planning Philosophy to guide thinking when considering planning for the future:

1) Keep students in mind at all times and remember that Educational Excellence is our
Foremost Goal.
2) Don't cut sooner than necessary in order to keep programs in place as long as possible for
students. However, take advantage of attrition of staff when opportunities arise in support of
item 3.
3) Cut things first, personnel second.
4) Academics have priority over activities.
5) Preserve programs where maximum benefit is received for minimal expenditure.
6) Stretch fund balance to last through FY12 when current operating levy expires. Operating
levy will need to be renewed and increased no later than November 2011.
7) Look for revenue enhancements: donations, fees...
8) Maintain 20% fund balance as per policy, under a more normal economic environment.

The board has identified $1.6M in fund balance that can be put towards reducing the deficit over the next three years. This would be accompanied by budget reductions to stretch out the use of the fund balance over the next several years. The plan under discussion would utilize $533,333 in fund balance each year for three years and $388,579 in reductions in 09-10; $582,287 in 10-11; and $741,632 in 11-12.

The board will hold another work session on January 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school media center to give further review to the plan discussed and to discuss a process for identifying budget reductions.