csd 2010 operating referendum

Our Kids − Worth the Investment

Christina School District Operating Referendum – May 25, 2010

Vote May 25

• The Christina School District will hold an Operating Referendum on Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

• The referendum seeks funding to maintain and strengthen instructional and operating funds for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond.

Our Kids – Worth the Investment

• Local funding for Full-Day Kindergarten in all schools

• Local share for additional positions• Student programs and services• Art, music, and physical education • Textbooks and technology • Middle school sports program • Enhancements to Talented and Gifted programs • School instructional budgets• Rising costs of energy, transportation, and personnel

A Successful Referendum Will Support…

Christina’s Financial Recovery

• Christina is a model of fiscal responsibility

– Christina has gone from a budget deficit in 2006 to annual balanced budgets in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010

– This has been achieved through improved fiscal management, careful budgeting, community oversight, and good stewardship

– Christina’s Financial Review Committee is a model for other school districts in the state

Important Reminders!» Funds from a successful Referendum will NOT be used to

pay back the loan from the state

» Christina’s loan obligations have been met annually

» The final loan payment to the state will be made in 2011

The Impact of Our Financial Challenges

• School budgets CUT• Textbook purchases CUT• Student services SCALED BACK• Full-Day Kindergarten DELAYED• Art, music, and physical education

staff REDUCED• Maintenance DELAYED• Reserve funds REDUCED

Why a Referendum Now?

Christina has NOT increased operating taxes since 2003 We can no longer run our school district in 2010

with 2003 dollars

Lean budgets following our financial crisis have resulted in schools and athletic fields that are underfunded and in disrepair

Proposed state budget cuts and rising costs will impact Christina’s operating budget by $8.1 million

Christina is the only district in New Castle County that does not offer Full-Day Kindergarten in all schools

FACT: Christina is the only taxing entity in the county that has reduced taxes in the last 3 years as bonds have matured.


Day to Day Costs Continue to Rise

FACT: The cost of electricity to power Christina’s schools has risen 29% since 2003.

Consumer Price Index – Philadelphia Region

Item 2003 2010 % Growth

Gallon of Gasoline

$1.72 $2.69 56%

Case of copy paper

$29.00 $36.00 19%

Dozen pencils

$.83 $1.09 24%

Family Health Insurance

$9,068 $13,375 47%

How costs have increased since 2003


Proposed State Cuts Will Cost Christina $6.4 Million

FACT: The state has eliminated funding for Reading Resource teachers serving elementary schools, and Math Resource teachers serving middle schools.


These Reductions will impact:• Staff positions• Transportation• Operating costs• Building maintenance


Increased Local Costs Will be $1.7 Million

FACT: In Delaware, local school districts pay a share of employee costs (approximately 30%) and the state pays a share (approximately 70%). The number of employee “units” that districts “earn” is determined by student enrollment.

Consumer Price Index – Philadelphia RegionIncreases in “Step” Pay for employeesIncreases in Pension payments + $1,700,000

• “Step” pay increases compensate our employees as they increase their years of service and experience

• Pension payments are determined by the state

• Pension costs are rising nationwide


Total Projected Budget Shortfall$8.1 Million

FACT: The District has not raised operating funds for 7 years. Costs continue to escalate. If Christina must absorb an $8.1 million shortfall, the impact on schools, students,

and personnel will be significant.

Consumer Price Index – Philadelphia RegionProposed State Budget Cuts - $6.4 million

Increases in employee “Step” PayIncreases in Pension payments + $1.7 million


What about the $100 million the State received?

Consumer Price Index – Philadelphia Region• The $100 million in “Race to the Top” funds Delaware will receive from the Federal government must be spent according to strict guidelines

• Christina will only receive a share, to be used over 4 years.

• This money CANNOT be used for day-to-day operating costs

• This money CANNOT pay for rising utility and personnel costs

• This money will NOT cover the $6.4 million in proposed state cuts

• This money will NOT allow Christina to delay the referendum.

What will the Referendum pay for?

How Will Students and Schools Benefit from the Referendum?


Full-Day Kindergarten Implemented in every elementary school by 2011

Christina remains the only district in New Castle County that has not implemented Full-Day Kindergarten because it cannot pay the local share required to hire teachers

Christina now has adequate space to offer Full-Day Kindergarten district-wide

With the Referendum, Full-Day Kindergarten will finally be a reality for all Christina families by 2011

Without the Referendum Christina will still not have the operating funds necessary to hire the teachers and provide the resources needed for district-wide Full-Day Kindergarten


Local share for additional positions

With the Referendum, the District could pay the local share of more positions, which could put more teachers and support staff in schools where they are needed

Without the Referendum, the District cannot hire additional teachers and staff that might be earned under the new State Staffing Model, because it cannot pay the local share of their salaries


Student programs and servicesWith the Referendum, the District can support and expand its programs for students

Without the Referendum, student support and behavioral services will be cut due to state and federal reductions

Art, Music, Physical Education, and Libraries

With the Referendum, staffing levels can be maintained and programs can receive needed support

Without the Referendum, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Libraries will face further staff reductions



Textbooks and TechnologyWith the Referendum, schools will double the amount spent on textbooks now, and can regularly replenish books, computers and other resources

Without the Referendum, schools will continue to face shortages in textbooks, technology, and other instructional materials

Middle School Sports ProgramWith the Referendum, the District can offer a middle school interscholastic sports program like those in Appoquinimink, Colonial, and Red Clay School Districts

Without the Referendum, Christina must delay a middle school sports program


Enhancements to Talented and Gifted Programs

With the Referendum, enhanced talented and gifted programs can provide more services to more students

Without the Referendum, the District will not have the resources to expand or enhance its offerings for gifted students

School Instructional BudgetsWith the Referendum, school budgets can be increased

Without the Referendum, schools will face further cuts to their already reduced budgets


Rising Costs of Energy, Transportation and Personnel

Consumer Price Index – Philadelphia RegionWith the Referendum, the increasing costs of energy, transportation, and personnel will not have as great an impact on students and schools

Without the Referendum, increasing costs will continue to impact students and schools

What are we asking for?

35 cent increase to the current school tax rate

phased in over a three-year period

Year One 2010-2011

Year Two 2011-2012 Year Three

2012-201320 cents

8 cents 7 cents

$10.85 million $4.33 million $3.78 million

Operating Tax Increases over

a three-year period

Per $100 of assessed

property value

What will it cost me?

Reminder: a home’s assessed value in New Castle County is a much lower number than the market value

A random sample of homes that recently sold for about $200,000 reflect an average assessed value of $62,975

Based on an assessed value of $62,975, a resident would pay:

$200, 000 home assessed at $62,975 Annual Monthly

Year One – effective July 2010 $125.95 $10.50

Year Two – effective July 2011 $50.38 $ 4.20

Year Three – effective July 2012 $44.08 $ 3.67

Total Increase $220.40 $ 18.37

What will it cost me?

Calculate Your Taxes Using Our Referendum Tax Calculator tool:

www.christina.k12.de.us/Referendum/calculator

Senior Citizen Property Tax Credit

Senior citizens in Delaware can apply for a tax break that could save them as much as 50% on property taxes they pay to support public schools

• The tax break is administered by New Castle County, which is reimbursed by the state

• The tax credit is given for up to $500• The property must be your primary residence• You must be 65 or older• You must complete a 1-page application

• More information is available at the Department of Finance website or by calling the New Castle County Tax Office at 385-5520

The Referendum BallotVoters will see this ballot when they enter the voting booth:

Where do I vote?

Most of Our Schools are Polling Places! Christina residents may vote at any polling place. Polls are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Bancroft Elementary SchoolBayard Middle SchoolBrader Elementary SchoolBrookside Elementary SchoolCarvel State Office BuildingChristiana High SchoolDownes Elementary SchoolElbert-Palmer Elementary SchoolGallaher Elementary SchoolGauger-Cobbs Middle SchoolGlasgow High SchoolJones Elementary School

Keene Elementary SchoolKirk Middle SchoolLeasure Elementary SchoolMaclary Elementary SchoolMarshall Elementary SchoolMcVey Elementary SchoolNewark High SchoolShue-Medill Middle SchoolWest Park Place Elementary SchoolWilson Elementary SchoolQuaker Hill Place Apartments

Who can vote?

• You must be a resident of the Christina School District

• You must be 18 years old

• You must be a U.S. citizen

• You DO NOT need to be a registered voter!

• You DO NOT need to own property!

To Learn More:

Visit Our Website:www.christina.k12.de.us/referendum

Call us:552-2670

Email us:[email protected]

Questions?

Our Kids − Worth the Investment

Vote May 25

csd 2010 operating referendum

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