district 97 recommended reductions

8/8/2019 District 97 Recommended Reductions

1/13

December 14, 2010


2/13

Communication and Transparency

While not perfect, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is a qualityschool system with a vision for the future that will build a better tomorrow forstudents and communit

We have been transparent with our community and actively soughtfeedback about our progress.

Our citizens have a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions about our

schools, as is evidenced by written and oral comments submitted via:

Referendum Survey

Community Chats

Conversations with Stakeholders Holding Many Different Views

Comments at Board Meetings E-Mail Communications

Newspaper Articles, Blogs and Editorial Comments


3/13

Findings

These comments demonstrate that:

The school district is important to the entire community.

,schools, are passionate about our success and our need to perform atthe highest levels (continuous improvement).

The members of our community want their schools to use resourcesprudently and wisely to ensure the success of all students.


4/13

Findings

They also understand that our children must be challenged andprepared to work in a world that will require:

Proficiency in the Basics

Understanding of the Interdependent Global Economy

An Accomplished Technological Skill Set

Exceptional Capacity to Communicate

The Ability to Work in Teams

Creativity and Ingenuity

All of these traits are part of the vision we hope to achieve when

the referendum passes.


5/13

Commitment

Based upon what I have observed during the first five months of my tenure asthe superintendent, I believe the district has used its resources carefully, asev ence y t e act t at t e ast operat ng re eren um was e n 1989.

We are committed to prudent fiscal management.

We are working diligently to prepare our students to be 21st century learners.

We are also committed to reaching/exceeding long-term communityexpectations:

xcep ona c evemen or a u en s High-Quality Evaluation of People and Programs

Working to Solve the Structural Deficit in School Funding/Operations


6/13

Superintendents Viewpoint

,

values, quality of life in a community and the capacity to build a betterbusiness environment are impacted by the reputation of the local schools.

As a life-long educator, a parent and grandparent, I know that the districtscapacity to build upon the dreams of our students are impacted by decisions

made by administrators such as myself.


7/13

The Task at Hand

The administration was asked to prepare a list of recommended

referendum fails.

,that it is not meant as a threat or tactic intended to scare people intosupporting the referendum.

That being said, the citizens of this community have a right to know thestatus of the districts budget, the actions we must take to maintainexcellence while keeping costs in line, and the consequences of a failed

.


8/13

The Task at Hand

It is in this spirit that we present to the board a list of recommendedreductions if the referendum does not pass.

It should be noted that the conversations we had to address the drasticac ons we w nee o a e e re eren um a s were can anthoughtful. The primary focus for administrators was doing what is best for

kids.

Reductions this time around will be particularly challenging because wehave been cutting for nine years.


9/13

The Challenge

It should be noted that the structural flaws in the states education systemcanno e a resse as an so a e s r c .

Changes in the way educators are compensated must be addressed on alarger stage.

By comparison, the salary and benefits of our faculty and staff are a littlebelow the mean when compared with the Bright Red Apple districtsthroughout Illinois.

The district has little influence relative to the state pension system.

The recommendations made by our administrative team are therefore madeup of items that are within our power to control.


10/13

The Challenge

As superintendent, I have listened to citizens, faculty and staff, local businessand religious leaders, and our administrative team, and have taken every

.

While everyone is entitled to an opinion, this administration has made everyattempt to:

Keep the cuts as far away from the kids as possible.

Hel communit members understand that the o tions available to us arelimited.

Develop perspective - 85% of our budget is used to pay for the salaries andbenefits of the more than 700 eo le we em lo . Schools are labor intense

organizations!


11/13

Recommended Reductions

Reduce Web Producer Stipends by 50% $5,000

Remove Movie License Agreement $15,000

m na e e urr cu um mp emen a on ea er pen s ,

Eliminate District Sponsored Festivals $21,000 Reduce Year 2 Technology Plan Tech Integrationists $50,000

(from 3 to 2)

Eliminate Alternative ED Teaching Position $70,500

Eliminate Clerical Position in Superintendent's Office $77,000

Eliminate School Improvement Plans Stipends $100,000,

Eliminate Middle School Sports and After School Activities $106,000

Eliminate Permanent Substitute Positions $146,000

Eliminate Summer School $151,800

Eliminate the Multicultural Department $199,300 Reduce One Assistant Principal at Each Middle School $200,000

Reduce Textbook Adoption Budget $200,000


12/13

Recommended Reductions

Reduce Funding of the Strategic Plan $200,000

Reduce District Office Administrative Positions $200,000

,

Eliminate CAST and BRAVO Programs $277,400 Eliminate 4 Middle School Elective Positions $280,000

Eliminate Student Su ort S ecialist Positions $320 300

Eliminate 4th and 5th Grade Instrumental Music $322,000

Reduce Media Specialist Positions by 50% $340,000

Reduce Gifted and Talented Positions by 50% $359,800

Eliminate One Secretarial Position per School $450,000

Eliminate Elementary School Foreign Language Program (FLES) $630,000

Eliminate Elementary Art Positions $630,000

Total $5,707,900


13/13

Future Considerations

Returning to the 1 Mile Standard for Transportation

Consideration of Grade Level Centers

Restructuring of Special Education Substitute Teachers

Consideration of Further Administrative Reductions - Elementary

district 97 recommended reductions

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