pittsfield schools fy16 budget book

8/9/2019 Pittsfield Schools FY16 Budget Book

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Pittsfield Public Schools

Fiscal Year 2016 Budget

P i t t s f i e l d P u b l i c S c h o o l s

2 6 9 F i r s t S t r e e t

P i t t s f i e l d M a s s a c h u s e t t s 0 1 2 0 1

T e l . 4 1 3 . 4 9 9 . 9 5 0 2

w w w . p i t t s f i e l d . n e t


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Table of Contents

School Committee ........................................................................................................................................... 5

District Leadership Team ................................................................................................................................ 6

Message from the Super intendent ................................................................................................................. 7

Budget Process Timeline ................................................................................................................................ 8

School Commit tee Budget Calendar .............................................................................................................. 9

The Big Picture .............................................................................................................................................. 10

Revenue Summary by Fund FY11 - FY15 .................................................................................................... 11

Expense Summary by Fund FY11 – FY15 ................................................................................................... 11

History of Budget Staffing Levels and Costs ................................................................................................ 12

Budget Priorities ........................................................................................................................................... 13

School Adjustment Counselors ................................................................................................................. 13

Behavioral Support Team ......................................................................................................................... 13

Additional Budget Obligations ...................................................................................................................... 14

Bus Payments .......................................................................................................................................... 14

Federal E-rate Funding Program Change ................................................................................................. 14

Utility Rate Increases ................................................................................................................................ 15

Increased Special Education Tuition Costs ............................................................................................... 15

Capital Improvement Requests – Schools ................................................................................................ 16

Organizational Section .................................................................................................................................. 17

Organizational Chart ................................................................................................................................. 18

District Facilities—Elementary Schools ..................................................................................................... 19District Facilities—Elementary & Middle Schools ...................................................................................... 20

District Facilities—High Schools & Other Facilities ................................................................................... 21

District Facilities—Other Facilities ............................................................................................................ 22

Enrollment Section ........................................................................................................................................ 23

Enrollment Data ........................................................................................................................................... 24

Enrollment Trends by Elementary School Grade Level ............................................................................. 24

Enrollment Trends by Middle School Grade Level ..................................................................................... 24

Enrollment Trends by High School Grade Level ....................................................................................... 25

Total Enrollment by Race ......................................................................................................................... 25

Long Term Trends in Enrollment .............................................................................................................. 26

10 Year History – Free/Reduced Lunch .................................................................................................... 27

Enrollment Projections .............................................................................................................................. 28


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Programs & Services..................................................................................................................................... 32

Educational Programs .................................................................................................................................. 33

Curriculum ................................................................................................................................................... 33

Reading .................................................................................................................................................... 33

Humanities ............................................................................................................................................... 33

Math and Science ..................................................................................................................................... 33

English Language Learners ......................................................................................................................... 34

First Languages of English Language Learners (ELLs) ............................................................................ 35

Special Education ........................................................................................................................................ 37

Career and Technical Education Programs .................................................................................................. 38

Alternative Education ................................................................................................................................... 38

Technology .................................................................................................................................................. 39

Co-Curricular Programs ............................................................................................................................... 42

After School – 21st Century Programs ....................................................................................................... 42

Summer Programs ................................................................................................................................... 42

Athletics ....................................................................................................................................................... 43

Adult Learning Center Programs and Services............................................................................................. 43

Operational Services .................................................................................................................................... 43

School Lunch and Breakfast Programs ..................................................................................................... 43

Bus Operations ......................................................................................................................................... 45

Custodial Services .................................................................................................................................... 45

Financial Section ........................................................................................................................................... 46Expenditure Function and Classification ...................................................................................................... 47

Major Revenue Sources ............................................................................................................................... 48

State Revenue ............................................................................................................................................. 48

Chapter 70 ............................................................................................................................................... 48

Circuit Breaker .......................................................................................................................................... 49

Local Revenue ............................................................................................................................................. 49

Other Revenue............................................................................................................................................. 50

Tuition Revenue ....................................................................................................................................... 50

Federal Revenue ......................................................................................................................................... 50

Medicaid Reimbursement ......................................................................................................................... 50

Grant Funding .............................................................................................................................................. 50

Budgets........................................................................................................................................................ 51

Operating Budget ......................................................................................................................................... 51


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Net School Spending ................................................................................................................................... 51

Revolving accounts ...................................................................................................................................... 52

Tuition Revolving Accounts ...................................................................................................................... 52

Program Specific Revolving Accounts .......................................................................................................... 53

Adult Learning Center ............................................................................................................................... 53

Athletic Revolving Account ....................................................................................................................... 54

Career and Technical Education Revolving Accounts ............................................................................... 54

Circuit Breaker Revolving Account ........................................................................................................... 55

Community Correction Vocational Revolving Account .............................................................................. 55

Continuing Education Account .................................................................................................................. 56

Custodial Revolving Account .................................................................................................................... 56

Donation Account ..................................................................................................................................... 56

Driver’s Education Revolving Account ...................................................................................................... 57

Enrichment Revolving Account ................................................................................................................. 57

Insurance Revolving Accounts.................................................................................................................. 57

Lost Book Revolving Account ................................................................................................................... 58

Professional Development Revolving Account .......................................................................................... 58

School Food Service Program Account .................................................................................................... 59

Special Education Program Revolving Accounts ...................................................................................... 59

Summer School Program Revolving Accounts ......................................................................................... 59

Testing Revolving Accounts ..................................................................................................................... 60

Transportation Revolving Account ............................................................................................................ 60Informational Section .................................................................................................................................... 61

State Aid ...................................................................................................................................................... 62

FY2016 Local Aid for Pittsfield ..................................................................................................................... 63

FY2016 Chapter 70 ...................................................................................................................................... 65

Chapter 70 Foundation Budget ................................................................................................................. 65

Chapter 70 Trends .................................................................................................................................... 66

Pittsfield Chapter 70 Trends, FY93 to FY15 .............................................................................................. 67

Foundation Budget Rates per Pupil – Chapter 70 ..................................................................................... 68

Per Pupil Expenditures Comparisons ........................................................................................................... 69

Urban School Comparison ........................................................................................................................ 69

Berkshire County School Comparison ...................................................................................................... 70

Grants .......................................................................................................................................................... 71

Grant Information Summary Report .......................................................................................................... 71


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State Grants: ............................................................................................................................................ 72

State Grants - OTHER: ............................................................................................................................. 74

Federal Grants: ........................................................................................................................................ 76

Federal Grants - OTHER: ......................................................................................................................... 82

Private Grants: ......................................................................................................................................... 84

Summary of Grant Awards ....................................................................................................................... 86

School Choice .............................................................................................................................................. 86

School Choice Trends in Pittsfield Students Exiting the District (for School Choice or Charter) ................ 87

Pittsfield Students to School Choice ......................................................................................................... 89

Pittsfield Students to Charter Schools ....................................................................................................... 89

Pittsfield Students Gained by School Choice & Tuition ............................................................................. 90

School Choice & Charter Statistics by Grade ............................................................................................ 91

School Choice Comparisons to Urban Districts ........................................................................................ 92

Past Year School Choice Comparisons of Pittsfield and Other Berkshire County Districts ........................ 93

Per Pupil Expenditures in Berkshire County School Districts .................................................................... 94

Charter School Summary ............................................................................................................................. 95

Homeschooling ............................................................................................................................................ 96

Tuition Rates ................................................................................................................................................ 97

Career and Technical Education Enrollment by Program ............................................................................. 98

Pittsfield Public Schools - Custodial Staffing Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) ............................................... 102

Custodial Staffing (cont’d) ....................................................................................................................... 103

Average Daily Meals .................................................................................................................................. 104Food Service Program FY15 - Daily Avg. Number of Meals Served Compared to Student Enrollment ... 104

By School - FY15 Total Daily Average Number of Lunches Served ........................................................ 104

Athletics ..................................................................................................................................................... 105

Participation ............................................................................................................................................ 105

Athletic Budget ....................................................................................................................................... 106

District Facilities ......................................................................................................................................... 107

District Facilities—Vehicle Inventory .......................................................................................................... 107

Glossary ....................................................................................................................................................... 108


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School Commi ttee


Katherine Yon, Chairperson

Daniel Elias, Vice Chairperson

Cynthia Taylor, Clerk

Joshua Cutler

Pamela Farron

Anthony Riello

Mayor Bianchi, Member Ex. Officio


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District Leadership Team

Jason P. McCandless, Ed.D., Superintendent Cabinet:

Joseph Curtis, Kristen Behnke, Richard Brady, InterimDeputy Superintendent Asst. Supt. Business & Finance Asst. Superintendent CTE

Principals: Elementary

Brenda Kelley, Allendale Elementary School

Candy Jezewski,Capeless Elementary School

Kerry Light, Conte Community School

Donna Baker,Crosby Elementary School

Judy Rush,Egremont Elementary School

Jennifer Stokes, Interim, Morningside Comm. School

Aaron Dean,Stearns Elementary School

Lisa Buchinski,Williams Elementary School

Directors:

Paul Gage,Director, Adult Learning Ctr.

James Abel,Director, Athletics

Susan Donnelly-Wendling,Director, Bus Operations

James Larrow,Director, Custodial Services

Sylvana Bryan,Director Food Services

Curriculum Coordinators:

Susetta Doucette,Early Childhood Education

Virginia Guglielmo-Brady, Ed.D.,

English Language Learners

Holly Goodrich,Humanities Curriculum

Kathleen Latham,Reading/Title I

Diane Wespiser,Math and Science Curriculum

Executive Team:

Harry Hayes, Stephanie Case, James Schultz,Dir. of Human Resources Dir. of Special Education Technology Unit Leader

Principals: Middle & High

Gina Coleman, Ph.D.,Herberg Middle School

Dennis Carr, Interim,Reid Middle School

Matthew Bishop,Pittsfield High School

John Vosburgh,Taconic High School



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Message from the Superintendent

Pittsfield Public SchoolsAdministration Center

269 First Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

www.pittsfield.net

Jason P. McCandless Ed.D.

Superintendent

413.499.9512 • Fax 413.448.2643

[email protected]

Dear Pittsfield Public School Community,

Building a budget plan for an organization that employs over 1,100 people all of whom, in various

ways, serve over 5,800 students is an important task--simple in some ways, and very complex in

others. Simple in that the lion's share of this budget goes directly to pay those who drive students

the people who keep schools clean and safe for students, those who make and serve students

healthy meals, those who take care of student health needs, those who teach, care for and tutor

young people every day. Complex in that spending the public's money in powerful, responsible

ways is a sacred task--as is working to put funding to work in ways that move students forward,

build a stronger workforce and best serve the needs of our entire city and region.

As we work to build 2015-2016 academic and fiscal year plans, we do so understanding this

complexity. We do so by being prudent, as well as, strategic, and keep the following "must do's" in

mind:

● maintaining the staffing levels we need to serve a diverse student body in ways thatpromote rigor and high achievement;

● increase staffing dedicated to the mental health and behavioral needs of our most atrisk elementary students in the position of adjustment counselors;

● working to provide top quality Career and Technical Education opportunities for thegood of our students and the employers in our community;

● investing in technologies that help us work, teach and learn more effectively andefficiently;

● reducing the achievement gap between our highest performing students and those whoaspire to higher levels of achievement.

These priorities fight against other needs such as increasing utility costs, the need to make the

second payment for our new fleet of safe buses and the care and upkeep of aging buildings. As

always in budget development, striking the balance between immediate needs and financia

realities will be the real work--as is trying to move forward in times that make simply standing stil

difficult.

Thank you for being part of this important and difficult work.

Yours in education,

Jason P. McCandless


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Budget Process Timeline

July August September October November December January February March April May June

Student ActivityExternal

Audit

CompleteEnd of YearReport and

Submit toDESE

Annual External Audit

End of YearReport

External

Audit

SC FinanceSubcommittee

Meeting

FinalExpenditureReport to SC

BudgetWorkshop and

Line Item Budget

Six monthBudget

Projection toSC for

Acceptance

Seven monthBudget

Projection toSC

(informational)

Eight monthBudget

Projection to SC(informational)

Nine monthBudget

Projection to SCfor Acceptance

Ten monthBudget

Projection toSC

(informational)

Eleven moBudge

ProjectioSC

(informatio

Projections forEnrollment and

Grants

SC PublicHearing on

Budget

Budget Adoptionby SC

Books closCurrent Fi

Year

Approval ofBudget

Calendar

BudgetOverview

AdministrationRecommend-ations for Budget

Adoption

Public Heaat City Co

on Budg-----

Final Approf City Buby City Co

Previous Fiscal Year SC: School Committee Current Fiscal Year Next Fiscal Year

Annual Budget Processwith

Pittsfield School Committee

Fiscal Year Calendar: July 1st - June 30th

Monitoring of Accounts by Business Office

Work on required End ofYear Report for previous

Fiscal Year

Admin Prep for next Fiscal Year Budgetcontinues:

- Budget Meetings with School Principalsand Leadership Team

Admin Prep for next Fiscal Year Budgetbegins


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School Committee Budget Calendar

February March April May JuneDecember

May 1Charter Requirement

School Committee approval of BudgetNo Later

than

June 1

Meeting with City Council

---------------

Mayor to City Council forJoint Budget Hearing

*Finance Subcommittee meeting dates to be determined.

December 10Regular Meeting

Budget Preview Date

Apr 8Public Hearing -Regular Meeting

(following)

SchoolCommittee

Recommenda-tions for

BudgetAdoption

Mar 11Regular Meeting

Budget Overview

Mar 25Regular Meeting

BudgetWorkshop &

Line Item

Budget

Feb 25Regular Meeting

EnrollmentProjections

& Grants

Apr 29Regular Meeting

FY16 BudgetAdoption

Pittsfield School Committee2016 Budget Calendar*


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The Big PictureOur Mission: To serve our communi ty and i ts chi ldr en by creat ing a school

environ ment where l i felong l earnin g is valued, excel lence is expected, and

improvement is cont i nuous; t o meet the needs of each student by provid ing the

informat ion, encouragement, support , and instruct i on required to meet or t o

exceed the dist r ic t ’s h igh expectat ions and r igorous academic demands; t o

prepare every student for po stsecon dary education, career sat isfact i on, and

l i fe long economic, socia l , and c iv ic s uccess.


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Revenue Summary by Fund FY11 - FY15

Actual Actual Actual ActualOriginalBudget

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 2015

General $57,552,586 $58,658,876 $59,592,950 $62,063,045 $62,843,259 *

Revolving $1,603,661 $1,808,483 $1,868,199 $2,636,566 $2,611,700

State Grants $1,162,651 $1,182,951 $1,354,544 $1,429,832 $1,493,237Federal Grants $7,049,484 $6,651,098 $4,547,688 $5,871,281 $6,199,052

Food Services $2,498,115 $2,595,999 $2,234,736 $2,885,625 $2,750,000

Student Activities $334,863 $314,952 $293,308 $509,528 $325,000

Total $70,201,360 $71,212,359 $69,891,425 $75,395,876 $76,222,248 *

Expense Summary by Fund FY11 – FY15

Actual Actual Actual ActualOriginalBudget

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015

General $51,248,489 $52,998,920 $53,250,757 $55,697,123 $62,843,259 *

Revolving $1,314,429 $1,568,163 $1,910,245 $2,281,660 $2,611,700

State Grants $1,208,612 $1,188,307 $1,370,337 $1,546,675 $1,493,237

Federal Grants $6,305,515 $7,391,154 $5,519,283 $5,712,597 $6,199,052

Food Services $2,378,207 $2,506,909 $2,594,604 $2,600,866 $2,750,000

Student Activities $295,000 $305,000 $320,000 $265,991 $325,000

Total $62,750,252 $65,958,453 $64,965,226 $68,104,912 $76,222,248 *

*Above figures include summer instructional payroll and accounts payable expenses paid after close of the fiscal year

$0

$10,000,000

$20,000,000

$30,000,000

$40,000,000

$50,000,000

$60,000,000

$70,000,000

$80,000,000

$90,000,000

FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 2015

Actual Actual Actual Actual Original

Budget

Revenue Expenditures


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History of Budget Staffing Levels and CostsLocal Budget and Education Jobs Grant only – Does not inc lude other grants

Function FY06 FY07 FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15

Total Staffing FTE 871.85 874.50 900.50 950.90 937.40 933.75 973.25 935.75 953.35 951.3

Instructional 720.10 720.25 744.25 782.25 769.50 765.85 803.35 770.15 788.65 785.6

Other School Services

(Bus Op and Attendance) 77.00 79.00 79.00 90.40 90.40 91.40 93.40 93.10 92.20 92.2

Custodial 58.25 58.75 58.75 58.75 58.00 56.00 55.00 52.00 52.00 53.0

Central Administration 16.50 16.50 18.50 19.50 19.50 20.50 21.50 20.50 20.50 20.5

Total Cost of Wages $38,252,143 $39,161,228 $41,279,754 $43,754,566 $44,267,466 $44,950,604 $45,917,029 $46,713,363 $48,073,192 $49,397,644

including revolving account FTEs


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Budget PrioritiesThe Pittsfield Public Schools Leadership Team has identified two budget priorities for the fiscal year

2016 budget: School Adjustment Counselors and creation of a Behavioral Support Team. The goal of

both of these budget priorities is to provide additional emotional and social supports to students. This

goal promotes the education and learning of all students in the Pittsfield Public Schools.

School Adjustment Counselors

$280K adds 4.0 FTEs

The emotional, behavioral and social support needs of the student population are increasing at a

significant rate. This significant increase in the mental health needs of students profoundly impacts their

ability and availability to learn. Without needed support services, it also impacts the ability of other

students to learn due to the disruption to the classroom and school environment that occurs with

students with high levels of emotional, social and behavioral needs. The addition of four full time

school adjustment counselors will provide augmented services in the schools and programs that are

most in need of this critical support.

The requests from principals for school adjustment counselors are to provide additional support across

both the general and special education population. More students need services; they need more

frequent service and also more intensive services. Historically, a much higher percentage of generaleducation students are on the caseloads of school adjustment counselors. School adjustment

counselors provide services at multiple systemic levels—facilitating school-wide prevention and

intervention planning; providing groups to targeted at-risk students, as well as, individualized services

to students and families. As needs and volume increase, it becomes more difficult to provide adequate

intervention services with the number of school adjustment counselors currently employed by the

district. Currently school adjustment counselors provide services to students individually and in groups,

as well as consulting with educators and administrators about strategies to support students in the

classroom and school.

Some of these increases in frequency and acuity of student needs are related to rising poverty levels

within the student population. Students are impacted by the stresses associated with poverty and thereis well-researched evidence of the impact of poverty on learning and healthy development. We see

increased needs of student experiencing anxiety, depression, family disruption and violence, trauma,

substance abuse and suicidal thoughts and attempts. These mental health, family and community

problems have a profound impact in schools. Providing additional supports at schools will assist

students who need extra support and also reduce disruptions within the classroom. As a district,

providing additional supports will also help to serve students within the district, in the least restrictive

environment, as opposed to more costly out of district tuition placements.

Behavioral Support Team

$7.8K Trains 12 Paraprofessionals as Registered Behavior Technicians

Behavioral needs for students in both special and general education continue to grow. The district has

consulted with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to assist the district with staff training,

consultation, functional assessment, behavior plan development and monitoring for the past three

years. In collaboration with the BCBA, the district has provided general education and training for

paraprofessionals, as well as, more focused instruction for special education staff and specialists. To

date there has been a great deal of success but challenges still remain as students continue to

struggle. The purpose of the strategic plan for behavior supports is to create a system of trained

professionals to assist in both general and educational settings with an overarching supervision


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structure to assure integrity of assessments, plan development, and implementation. Focus will be

placed on the district’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to improve behavioral supports, thus

improving educational efficacy. Specific and measureable goals will be developed within the identified

strategic planning team along with regularly scheduled follow up meetings on an action plan to meet

each specified goal.

Goal:

Creation of a behavioral team to include Registered Behavior Technicians, school specialists, and a

Board Certified Behavior Analyst consultant. A Registered Behavior Technician is a paraprofessionalwho completes 40 hours of training and passes a skill based competency assessment with a Board

Certified Behavior Analyst. This is a relatively new credential established by the Behavior Analyst

Certification Board. The role of a Registered Behavior Technician is to assist with behavioral

assessment and procedures under the supervision of a BCBA. A Registered Behavior Technician can

provide direct service to teachers which include preliminary assessment techniques, establishment of

data collection systems, and providing feedback regarding behavior plan implementation of classroom

management strategies. Specific areas of expertise addressed in the credentialing process include

measurement, skill acquisition, assessment, behavior reduction, documentation and reporting, and

ethics. The plan includes training one Registered Behavior Technician for each school.

Addi tional Budget Obligat ionsIn addition to personnel cost increases, the district is facing a number of significant additional budget

obligations as we plan for fiscal year 2016.

Bus Payments

$370K

The district purchased new buses at the start of the 2014-2015 school year. Payment for the 43 new

buses, after the trade in value, totals $2,760,194.75. The school district paid the vendor directly a total

of $570,000 in FY15 thereby reducing the outstanding cost of the buses to $2,190,194.75. As of this

writing the city has not borrowed for the outstanding cost of the bus, but the anticipated payment is

approximately $570,000 per year for four additional years, FY16 through FY19, to make the paymentsfor the buses in full.

In FY15 the district appropriated $200K from the operating budget and utilized $370K in revenue from

the transportation revolving account to make the $570K payment. Funds in the transportation revolving

account had built up over a number of years for the purpose of a bus replacement plan. Under the

repayment plan, the district needs to appropriate an additional $370K out of the operating budget to

fully fund the bus replacement plan at $570K per year.

Federal E-rate Funding Program Change

$35K

The federal e-rate program is undergoing a major change that will affect the district’s funding for FY16. As part of a policy change, the federal program is focusing on providing internet services to schools and

eliminating funding for traditional telephone services, web hosting services and mandated email

archiving. The Pittsfield Public Schools has taken advantage of e-rate funding for internet services for

many years, but will see a reduction of $35K in funding for traditional telephone, web hosting and email

archiving services. The operating budget appropriation for these utilities will increase by $35K in FY16

to fund telephone services, websites and email archiving for the schools.


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Utility Rate Increases

$108K for Electricity

Pittsfield Public Schools contracted with Great Eastern Energy in October 2014 for the supply of

electricity for a period of 24 months beginning in December 2014. The rate for this new contract is

.10271 per kilowatt hour (kWh). The FY15 budget included a slightly lower supply rate assumption of

.10 per kWh for half of the year. The district will need to increase the electricity budget by $108,000 in

the FY16 budget to cover the increased supply costs for the full year. Electricity supply usage in the

district decreased over the past few years. This projected figure may change during the budget processbased on the latest information on the district’s supply usage.

$422K for Natural Gas

The district’s contract for the supply of natural gas with Hess expires in October 2015. Our current

supply rate is quite low at $0.6074 per therm. While we have enjoyed the low supply rates for the past

few years, as has been highlighted in the news, the cost of natural gas is going up and the supply rate

next year is anticipated to be much higher, between $0.9 and $1.0 per therm. Based on the current

supply usage and a rate of $0.9 per therm, the district will need to increase the natural gas budget by

$422,000 in FY16. This projected figure may change as we move through the budget process, based

on updated supply usage and projections as well as more information on projected supply rates.

Increased Special Education Tuition Costs

$1.022M

The district experienced a significant increase in the number and intensity of students who are placed in

out of district special education programs. The changes in this account are coming from three areas:

new students are entering out of district special ed placements; students already in placements are

moving to more intensive and therefore more expensive placements; and new students from outside of

the district or state with an existing individualized education program (IEP) for whom the district is now

fiscally responsible. The growth in this area is a reflection of the more intensive needs that we are

seeing in the students in our district.

To put this tuition growth in context, Pittsfield still educates a larger percentage of our specialeducation students within the district as compared to other districts around the state. In budgetterms, in FY13 Pittsfield spent 4% of total district funds in out of district special education tuitionwhile the state average is 7%. Even with the growth that the district is seeing in FY15 and FY16,Pittsfield will spend approximately 5% on out of district special education tuitions, still well belowthe state average of 7%.


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Capital Improvement Requests – Schools

$1.575M

The city’s Building Maintenance Department submits a budget to the Mayor’s office annually for capital

expenditure items related to school buildings. The chart below details City Maintenance requests for

FY16. In addition to the items included below, school principals have submitted an itemized list totaling

over 100 additional building maintenance items. Final items to be funded will be determined as part of

the city’s capital budget review and approval process.

SUMMARY OF FY16 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS

Department: B uilding Maintenance - SchoolsM.Dean 01/14/15

Project Location and Narrative Cost Estimate

1Environmental - Abatements 50,000$

2Security & Safety Upgrades 50,000$

3PHS Boiler #2 Retubing 70,000$

4 Crosby Boiler #2 Replacement250,000$

5 Crosby Window ReplacementTBD

6Schools Black Top & Sidewalk repairs 100,000$

7PHS Handicap Ramp & Air Intake Repairs 300,000$

8Mercer Boiler Replacement 75,000$

9PHS Auditori um Upgrades 200,000$

10Special Ed Room Upgrades (rubber floor s) - awaiting schoo l dept specs 50,000$

11 Morningside carpet removal & replace with ti le (22,752 sq ft) 130,000$

12PHS Hot water Recirculating Line 65,000$

13Herberg Gym Floor - Refinish 35,000$

14Crosby Clock/PA System Replacement 70,000$

15Conte Carpet Removal and Replace with Tile 130,000$

Hibbard School Renovations TBD

Total 1,575,000$

APPROVED Total -$


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Organizational Section


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School Committee

Superintendent of Schools

DeputySuperintendent

,sl oohc S c i l buP d l ei f st t i P

Pittsfield Massachusetts

Administrative Organizaton Chart 2015

AssistantSuperintendent for

Business and Finance

AssistantSuperintendent of

Career and TechnicalEducation

City Hall Administration

Career and VocationalTechnical Educators

Athletic Director

Director of SpecialEducation

Director of Technology

Student ServicesFacilitator

Director of FoodServices

Director ofTransportation Services

Director of CustodialServices

Business Office

f or otcer iDHuman Resources

Coord. ofAttendance

AlternativeEducationPrograms

Director ofTitle I

Dir. of AdultBasic

Education

CurriculumCoordinators

School NurseLeader

Coord. ofTutors

Coord ofEnglish for

Speakers ofOther

Languages

21st CenturyProgram

Coordinator

picnir PHig

MiddEleme

Organizational Chart

18 The Deputy Superintendent of Schools is second in command in the school system and automatically assumes the authority and responsibility of the Superintendent in his absence.


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District Facili ties—Elementary Schools

Al lendale Elementary

Address: 180 Connecticut Avenue

Year Built: 1951 10.9 acres

Addition: 1999

Square Footage: 48,133

FY 2015 Enrollment: 318Principal: Brenda Kelley

Capeless Elementary

Address: 86 Brooks Avenue


Addition: 2001


FY 2015 Enrollment: 236

Principal: Candy Jezewski

Conte Community School

Address: 200 West Union Street




Principal: Kerry Light

Crosby Elementary

Address: 517 West Street




Principal: Donna Baker

Egremont Elementary

Address: 84 Egremont Avenue


Addition: 1999



Principal: Judy Rush


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District Facili ties—Elementary & Middle Schools

Morningside Community School

Address: 100 Burbank Street




Principal: Jennifer Stokes, Interim

Stearns Elementary

Address: 75 Lebanon Avenue


Addition: 2001



Principal: Aaron Dean

Williams Elementary

Address: 50 Bushey Road


Multiple additions—latest: 2001



Principal: Lisa Buchinski

Herberg Middle School

Address: 501 Pomeroy Ave.


Addition: 2000



Principal: Gina Coleman, Ph.D.

Reid Middle School Address: 950 North Street


Addition: 2000



Principal: Dennis Carr, Interim


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District Facilities—High Schools & Other Facili ties

Pittsfield High School

Address: 300 East Street


Addition: 1975


FY 2015 Enrollment: 927Principal: Matthew Bishop

Taconic High School

Address: 96 Valentine Road




Principal: John Vosburgh

Adul t Learning Center

Address: 141 North Street

Leased Space: 2013



Director: Paul Gage

Mercer Administration Build ing

Address: 269 First Street

Year Built: 1905 .90 acres


Superintendent: Dr. Jason P. McCandless


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District Facilit ies—Other Facilities

Note: Square footage quoted for each building is from valuation records with the City.

Hibbard Stockroom

Address: 280 Newell Street



Director: James Larrow

Cafeteria Services at Taconic High School

Address: 96 Valentine Road

Director: Sylvana Bryan

Bus Operations

Address: 442 Merrill Road

Leased Space


Director: Susan Donnelly-Wendling

Student Resource Center

Address: 7 Whipple Street


Jointly Managed with Berkshire County

Sheriff’s Office


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Enrollment Section


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Enrollment Data

Enrollment Trends by Elementary School Grade Level

Enrollment Trends by Middle School Grade Level


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Enrollment Trends by High School Grade Level

Total Enrol lment by Race

Pittsfield Public Schools Total Enrollment by Race October 1, 2014


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Long Term Trends in Enrollment

1 9 8 2

1 9 8 3

1 9 8 4

1 9 8 5

1 9 8 6

1 9 8 7

1 9 8 8

1 9 8 9

1 9 9 0

1 9 9 1

1 9 9 2

1 9 9 3

1 9 9 4

1 9 9 5

1 9 9 6

1 9 9 7

1 9 9 8

1 9 9 9

2 0 0 0

2 0 0 1

2 0 0 2

2 0 0 3

2 0 0 4

2 0 0 5

2 0 0 6

2 0 0 7

2 0 0 8

2 0 0 9

2 0 1 0

2 0 1 1

2 0 1 2

2 0 1 3

2 0 1 4

S t a t e T o t a l s

P i t t s f i e

l d E n r o l l m e n t b y

G r a d e S p a n

Long Term Trends in Enrollment

Pittsfield and State Totals

K-6 7-8 9-12 State Totals

Long Term Enrollment Trends. Statistical Comparisons - School Finance. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 3

Dec. 2014.


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10 Year History – Free/Reduced Lunch

6472 63526234

6120 6072 5978 5985 5992 5883 5744

2627 25752713

28173015

32683302 3385 3276

3752

40.59% 40.54%

43.52%46.03%

49.65%

54.67% 55.17%

56.49%55.69%

65.32%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

District Enrollment as pf

October 1 each year as

reported by DESE

Number of Students

Receiving Free/Reduced

Lunch as of 10/31 of each

year as reported by FoodServices Dept.*

% Free/Reduced Lunch

Year

*Note: Free/Reduced Lunch in

2006 is as of May


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Enrollment Projections

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sect ions Class Size

K 52 3 17.3 45 3 15.0

1 49 3 16.3 52 3 17.3

2 57 3 19.0 48 3 16.0

3 55 3 18.3 58 3 19.3

4 55 3 18.3 55 3 18.3

5 50 3 16.7 54 3 18.0

Total 318 312

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sect ions Class Size

K 33 2 16.5 29 2 14.5

1 37 2 18.5 33 2 16.5

2 30 2 15.0 37 2 18.5

3 38 2 19.0 30 2 15.0

4 34 2 17.0 38 2 19.0

5 45 2 22.5 34 2 17.0

Integrated

PreK19

2 half-day

sessions9.5 20

2 half-day

sessions 10.0

Total 236 221

Allendale Elementary School

Capeless Elementary School

Class Size Guidelines:

Grades K-3 18 Students/Class

Grades 4 and 5 22 Students/Class

NAEYC Kindergarten 1:12 Adults/Students

Quality Kindergarten Grant 1:10 Adults/Students

MS/HS Academic Courses 1:24 Adults/Students


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Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sections Class Size

PreK 28 2 14.0 32 2 16

K 82 4 20.5 72 4 18.0

1 56 4 14.0 82 4 20.5

2 53 3 17.7 56 3 18.7

3 42 3 14.0 53 3 17.74 45 3 15.0 42 3 14.0

5 57 3 19.0 45 3 15.0

Transitional

Kindergarten10 1 10.0 10 1 10.0

*Head Start 17 1 17.0 17 1 17.0

Total 373 392

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sections Class Size

K 52 3 17.3 45 3 15.0

1 37 3 12.3 52 3 17.3

2 61 4 15.3 37 2 18.5

3 43 3 14.3 61 4 15.3

4 37 2 18.5 43 3 14.3

5 35 2 17.5 37 2 18.5

Substantially

Separate 79 8 9.9 90 8 11.3Substantially

Separate

PreK 75 7 10.7 75 7 10.7

Total 419 440

* These students are not included in state reporting.

Conte Community School

Crosby Elementary School

3 Therapeutic

K Developmental

1 Developmental

2-3 Developmental

4-5 Int. Impaired

3-4 Psychol-Linguistic

K-1 Therapeutic

2 Therapeutic

Half-day Regular Education

3 Half-day Programs

Half-day Special Education


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Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sections Class Size

K 81 4 20.3 71 4 17.8

1 78 4 19.5 81 4 18.5

2 87 4 21.8 78 4 23.5

3 87 4 21.8 87 4 21.2

4 89 4 22.3 87 4 22.25 81 4 20.3 89 4 20.2

Intellectually

Impaired12 1 12.0 12 1 12

Total 515 505

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sections Class Size

PreK 33 2 16.5 32 2 16K 62 4 15.5 54 4 13.5

1 75 4 18.8 62 4 15.5

2 83 3 27.7 75 3 25.0

3 70 4 17.5 83 4 20.8

4 75 4 18.8 70 4 17.5

5 76 3 25.3 75 3 25.0

Therapeutic

4/511* 2 5.5 12 2 6.0

Total 485 463

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sections Class Size

K 44 2 38.0 38 2 19.0

1 36 2 18.0 44 2 22.0

2 29 2 14.5 36 2 18.0

3 34 2 17.0 29 2 14.5

4 39 2 19.5 34 2 17.0

5 32 2 16.0 39 2 19.5Substantially

Separate19 2 9.5 19 2 9.5

Total 233 239

Morningside Community School

*Numb er as of February 1, 2014

Stearns Elementary School

Egremont Elementary School


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Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Sections Class Size

Anticipated

FY 16

Enrollment

Sections Class Size

K 60 3 20.0 53 3 17.7

1 49 3 16.3 60 3 20.0

2 64 3 21.3 49 3 16.3

3 50 3 16.7 64 3 21.3

4 53 3 17.7 50 3 16.75 58 3 19.3 53 3 17.7

Total 334 329

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Anticipated FY

16 Enrol lmentGrade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Ant icipated

FY 16

Enrollment

6 213 215 6 183 188

7 216 213 7 167 189

8 203 216 8 169 160Total 632 644 Total 519 537

Grade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Anticipated FY

16 Enrol lmentGrade

FY 15

Enrollment

10/1/14

Ant icipated

FY 16

Enrollment

9 221 203 9 193 169

10 252 221 10 221 193

11 222 252 11 168 221

12 232 222 12 193 168

Total 927 898 Total 775 751

Reid Middle School

Taconic High SchoolPittsfield High School

Will iams Elementary School

Herberg Middle School


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Programs & Services


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Educational Programs

Curriculum

Reading

Pittsfield Public Schools offers extensive reading services that include core instruction and intervention

for students in grades pre K-8. All elementary and middle schools have a certified reading specialist on

staff. As of the start of the 2014-2015 school year, all elementary schools have a new core program,

Pearson Reading Street. Pearson Reading Street offers teachers a comprehensive set of resourcesthat links with state standards and offers opportunities for differentiation and use of technology that is

interactive and engaging for all students. The district also offers to all elementary students Lexia Core5

Reading, a technology based learning tool that supports students with reading skills development. Many

staff in the district are Wilson trained to offer more intensive intervention for students. Our middle

schools offer a variety of reading services including an online program, “Virtual Reading Coach”, that

provides explicit and in-depth reading instruction. The program is adaptive and offers an individualized

learning experience that enables students to advance their reading skills.

Humanities

English: The English curriculum is based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework and addresses

the need for students to be engaged in rigorous reading, discussions, and research, as well as the abilityto apply their skills to new, independent learning. Each grade has some common required readings for

all students, as well as choices for each quarter; students read a variety of classic, modern and multi-

cultural literature. At the secondary level, students engage in rigorous argument and informative writing

assignments; they incorporate their narrative writing skills effectively into their writing. They use the

writing process of gathering their ideas, and then writing and revising drafts. During 2014-15 we are

working with high school teachers to develop common vocabulary lists so that students in each grade

learn 100 words (beyond those encountered in their reading) that will help them improve their reading,

writing, speaking and listening skills. Grades 6-8 vocabulary lists will be developed soon. At the high

schools, both AP Literature and AP Language are offered for our students.

History/Social Studies: The history and social studies curriculum is drawn from the Massachusetts

Frameworks for History and Social Studies as well as the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for

Literacy, which support the reading and writing skills needed in these subject areas. Elementary

students study specific historical events as well as Massachusetts and North American history. At the

middle schools, students study world geography, the continents, cultures, and world history. The district

is looking into developing a specific civics course for our middle school students. High school history

students engage in two years of United States History and at least one of World History. High school

students can take AP courses in European, World, and United States History, as well as, Psychology,

Government and Policies.

Math and Science

Pittsfield Public Schools provides a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)

educational program that is aligned with the current state Frameworks and strives to enable all students

to be successful as students and future citizens in these fields. The study of mathematics, K-5, is

supported at each school with a math coach or math interventionist. The secondary schools

mathematics program prepares all students to meet the college and career readiness standards by

grade twelve, and also offers Advanced Placement studies in calculus and statistics. Science studies

beginning in kindergarten, are supported by elementary science specialists, and continue throughout a


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student’s academic career. Both high schools offer various Advanced Placement science courses

including AP biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science.

English Language LearnersThe Pittsfield Public Schools serves 327 students designated as English Language Learners (ELL)

across grades K-12. The following chart details the number of students by grade and the wide variety of

primary languages of ELL students and their families. In addition to providing ELL instruction, the

Pittsfield Public Schools provides translation and interpretation services to families of ELL students, as

required by law, for parent meetings and documents related to a student’s education. The mostcommon primary language of ELL students is Spanish, but there are also a number of speakers of

Chinese and French languages.

See Graph on Next Page


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First Languages of Engli sh Language Learners (ELLs)

(As of January 2015)

History of English Language Learners (ELLs)

Students whose primary language is not English are only designated as ELL students for the period of time

that they require specialized instruction or support in learning English. Once students become proficient in

academic English, they are no longer counted as ELL students; therefore, the count of ELL students include

only those students who are receiving English language education instructional supports at a given time.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

K

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Vietnamese

Urdu

Turkish

Spanish

Russian

Portuguese

Other

Dialects

Gujarati

French

Creole

(Haitian)

Chinese

Number of Students

G r a d e L e v e l

L a n g u a g e s


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Although students “test out” of requiring ELL instruction, the number of ELL students in the Pittsfield Public

Schools has risen significantly since 2002. The chart below details this growth.

Additionally, Pittsfield Public Schools has experienced a steady increase of Students with Interrupted Formal

Education (SIFE) ELL students. SIFE students are identified through academic transcript review and

interviews with family members upon registration. Characteristics of SIFE students are the following:

• Enter a US School after the second grade• Have had at least two school years less than their peers• Function at least two years below expected grade level in reading and math• May be preliterate in their native tongue. (NYSED, 2013)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350


First Languages of English Language Learners (ELLs)

Receiving English Language Education (ELEs)

2002 - 2015 School Year History

Total

Number of

ELL

Students

School Year

N u m b e r o f S t u d e n t s


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Special EducationThe vision of the Special Education department is to minimize the disability and to maximize the

opportunities of Special Education students to receive a free and appropriate education in the least

restrictive environment. All students will have access to standards-based curriculum and will be

provided with research-based interventions to ensure that they graduate from high school and have

adequate transition plans. Special Education staff work with teachers, administrators and families to

ensure that Individual Education Programs (IEPs) are implemented with integrity.

As part of the goal of serving students in the least restrictive environment, Pittsfield Public Schools hasdeveloped a continuum of services and placements as detailed in the list below. Providing many of the

required services within the district has proven to be cost effective, as most services can be delivered

at a lower cost than if the same services were contracted to an outside agency.

• Early Childhood Pre-School Classes at Crosby Elementary and Capeless Elementary• Transitional self-contained class at Conte Community School• Resource Room Programs at all eight elementary schools and both middle schools and high

schools• Resource Suite Programs at Reid and Herberg Middle School• Psycholinguistic Class at Crosby Elementary

• Developmentally and Intellectually Impaired self-contained classes at Crosby, Egremont, andStearns Elementary Schools, and at Reid Middle School and Pittsfield High School

• Therapeutic self-contained classes at Morningside Community School and Crosby ElementarySchool

• Adolescent Support Program at Pittsfield High School for students with emotional disabilitiesand Department of Mental Health (DMH)Eligibility

• Educational Options for Success (EOS) Programs at Reid and Herberg Middle School• Tiers 1 and 2 at Reid Middle School• Tiers 1,2, 3 at Herberg Middle School• Educational Options for Success (EOS) Programs at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High

Schools (Tiers 1 and 2)• Educational Options for Success (EOS) Program at Student Resource Center (Tier 3)• Positive Options Program at Berkshire Community College• Career Exploratory program at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School• Vocational programs at Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School• Work Study program at Pittsfield High School• Work Based Learning• Service Learning• Speech and Language services at all levels• Occupational Therapy services at all levels• Physical Therapy services at all levels• Services for Hearing and Visually Impaired students at all levels• School Adjustment Services at all levels

• Tutorial services at all levels

The services provided and placements made must be based on individual students’ needs and not on

what currently exists in the district. Special education services are mandated by state and federal law

under 603 CMR 28.05(7)(b) and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Some students

require services that are best provided at separate schools, such as private day or residential schools.

The district is responsible for the tuition and residential costs of such placements unless fiscal

responsibility is deemed to be shared with the state or another school district. The Special Education


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department annually files with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to receive

Circuit Breaker reimbursement for all high cost placements and services. For more information on this

reimbursement process, see the state revenue and revolving accounts section.

Career and Technical Education ProgramsThe Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that the only thing that is constant is change. The proof of

that statement is very self-evident in our day-to-day lives. It is the rapidly evolving role of technology

that is one of the driving forces behind much of the change we experience each day. To compete in a

world where the economy and stable jobs rely on evolving technology, one has to be prepared. To give

our students that edge, Pittsfield Public Schools offers students twelve Career and Technical Education

programs that prepare them with training in technology and the skills needed to be successful when

competing in the job market.

In an effort to ensure our students are receiving an education that is meeting the high standards that

the state asks of all programs that are designated as Career and Technical Education programs, we

have changed as well. We are teaching to the latest curriculum frameworks. We are replacing dated

equipment with industry standard tools and practices, where needed. In order to give students the soft

skills that make them good employees, we have joined the Skills USA organization. We have added an

industry-recognized certification section to each program to demonstrate the students’ subject mastery. Additionally, to teach students to be more than just information retrievers, we are integrating more

technology into classrooms and the shops so that they will become information users.

Striving to make our programs relevant to local employers and throughout the region, each program

has an advisory committee that includes members of the business community. The involvement of

industry and business, guides and improves our programs. We work closely with post-secondary

institutions and include their representatives as members of our advisory committee so that our

students will be prepared for education beyond high school. We have developed several articulation

agreements with a number of post-secondary education programs and colleges and, in addition to their

technical studies; our students carry an academic load that is nearly identical to that of the college

preparatory students.

The CTE programs offered by the district are open to Pittsfield students as well as to other students

from our surrounding communities in Berkshire County. We have developed a relationship with the

surrounding districts and have worked closely with both education and civic leaders to promote the

options for many students who wish to enroll in a vocational technical program of studies. We look

forward to developing the workforce of tomorrow for Berkshire County.

Al ternati ve Educat ionThe Alternative Education programs offered by Pittsfield Public Schools are built upon the belief that all

students can learn and succeed in a variety of ways. We strive to offer programs that are in our

community’s best interest to provide students with the opportunities to develop the skills needed for

college and career readiness. Our Alternative Education offerings include programs that are both

district run and contracted with community providers that serve at-risk, vulnerable and disengaged

students. The goal of each program is to prepare students academically, socially and emotionally by

first meeting their immediate needs, and by then identifying alternative strategies to improve learning.

Approximately 800 students receive alternative education services that can include short-term

interventions like summer school and/or long-term placement into structured settings or programs.


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Students served may have characteristics that can range from having poor attendance, discipline

issues, failing grades or are credit deficient. Additionally, they may be in family crisis; referred for

assistance and do not qualify for special educational service; may have drug/alcohol abuse or

social/emotional/medical issues; or have poor peer relationships.

A variety of strategies and options are utilized by the Pittsfield Public Schools, including building-based

and offsite programs. These programs assist students through transition, suspension or tutoring,

provide students programs for special populations, credit recovery, in addition to providing an early

college model.

TechnologyThe Pittsfield Public School district is committed to preparing children for this rapidly changing world by

teaching them the skills they need to be proficient and safe users of information, media and technology.

We strive to engage students in meaningful curriculum content through the purposeful and effective use

of technology. Teachers are provided technology resources to assist them in creating lessons that

reflect the personal learning styles, needs, and interests of their students. Administrative efficiency

depends on technology. Functions within the district range from student information management,

transportation, food services and library systems; including personnel and health services , accounting

and payroll benefits being digital. Our investment in technology enables every member of the PittsfieldPublic School community to communicate, learn, share, collaborate and create; to think and solve

problems; to assist with managing their work and lives. More importantly, we see technology as both

the driver of an evolution in teaching and learning, and the means to achieve that innovation.

When implemented well, technology is virtually transparent—a tool used to improve learning.

Nevertheless, the infrastructure is essential towards meeting that goal, and the district has invested

accordingly:

• All teachers are issued a personal computing device• Every classroom in the district has both wired and wireless connectivity to the local network and

the Internet• All buildings have a high-speed, broadband connection to the Internet• Computer labs and/or mobile carts are available for student use in all schools• Every student and teacher has a local computer account and a district email account• Digital projectors are available in every school to enable computer shared content for

collaborative learning and exercises.

All teachers are given the opportunity and training to create a website for their classrooms. Simply

making technology available does not ensure that it will be used to maximum effect—support staff is as

critical as the hardware and software. The district has an 11-person Technology Department that

supports 14 buildings and networks, 7000 users, and nearly 6000 devices. A Help Desk is staffed full-

time to address questions promptly, resolve problems and repair equipment. The departmentencourages teacher innovation by offering professional development in after school workshops, during

in-service days, as online tutorials, and through classroom modeling.

Developing a long-range plan for educational technology is difficult if not impossible given the quickly

evolving nature of that technology. Nevertheless, we have a framework for moving forward that

includes:


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• Continued investment in technology to support teaching and learning—specifically establishinga fully funded renewal cycle

• Increased professional development opportunities for teachers—including an online self-pacedcurriculum for technology integration skills

• Progressive addition of mobile student computing devices as we move closer to a 1:1 model• Establishing “Innovation Classrooms” in every school that are equipped with cutting-edge

equipment that will offer teachers a laboratory for experimenting with tech integration

Education in the 21st century is a complex system, and in Pittsfield, technology will be the primary tool

in meeting that challenge.

School Technology Device Distribu tion

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Chromebooks

iPads

Mac Laptops

Mac Desktops

2.22.1

2.9

2.33.0

2.2

2.03.3

2.2 1.9

1.6

1.22014-15 Student Device Distribution(Reflects student to device average)

Graph includes all student devices currently in use, regardless of funding sources.

(This includes local operating budget, grants and private donations.)


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Computing Device Distribution

School M a c D e s k t o p s

M a c L a p t o p s

i P a d s C h r o m e b o o k s

# o f S t u d e n t D e v i c e s

# o f S t u d e n t s

S t u d e n t : D e v i c e R a t i o

T e a c h e r L a p t o p s

T e a c h e r i P a d

T e a c h e r

C h r o m e b o o k s

P C D e s k t o p s

P C L a p t o p s

S e r v e r s

T o t a l

Allendale 46 25 19 55 145 319 2.2 20 12 0 3 0 3 183

Capeless 35 3 0 75 113 235 2.1 14 12 3 3 0 3 148

Conte 60 26 0 50 136 391 2.9 36 9 0 2 0 3 186Crosby 51 24 0 108 183 428 2.3 39 17 7 3 0 3 252

Egremont 37 25 31 75 168 510 3.0 26 23 0 3 1 3 224

Morningside 38 25 0 150 213 479 2.2 34 6 5 5 0 3 266

Stearns 35 24 33 25 117 235 2.0 17 9 0 3 0 3 149

Williams 36 26 13 25 100 331 3.3 22 8 0 3 0 3 136

Herberg 52 79 16 143 290 629 2.2 57 20 2 3 0 2 374

Reid 38 54 10 174 276 514 1.9 58 21 0 3 0 2 360

PHS 213 25 267 75 580 927 1.6 93 40 1 6 0 4 724

Taconic 346 8 196 100 650 773 1.2 85 33 0 10 2 8 788

ALC 41 1 7 17 1 1 0 0 0 2 70

Mercer 27 53 2 2 0 23 5 19 6 43 180POP 0 8 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 13

Bus 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0 0 14

1056 406 594 1079 502 234 23 79 9 85 4067

Projector Distribution

School M

o b i l e

M o u

n t e d

T o t a l

Allendale 7 1 8

Capeless 4 1 5

Conte 10 1 11

Crosby 3 1 4

Egremont 5 1 6

Morningside 4 1 5

Stearns 3 1 4

Williams 11 1 12

Herberg 51 0 51

Reid 31 0 31

PHS 26 27 53

Taconic 20 49 69

175 84 259


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Co-Curricular Programs

After School – 21st Century Programs

The Pittsfield Public Schools 21st Century Community Learning Centers Programs incorporates four

learning principles into its efforts – learning that is meaningful, collaborative, supports mastery, and

expands horizons. 21st Century programs are currently operating at four schools: Pittsfield High, Reid

Middle, Herberg Middle and Conte Community Schools.

Our programs support these principles by:

• Enabling young people to apply their academic skills to areas of interest and real worldproblems

• Promoting effective partnerships between schools, community-based agencies, and other publicand private entities

• Providing creative and innovative out-of-school time programs that give young people hands onproject-based learning experiences that stimulate curiosity and enhance critical thinking skills

• Creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills• Addressing the multiple needs of children, youth, and their families

These principles are well aligned with the 21st century learning skills and workforce skills that young

people will need to succeed in the years ahead.

Summer Programs

Each summer, Pittsfield Public Schools offers a variety of summer programs which serve approximately

1,300 students each year.

Programs include:

• Academic summer school at the middle and high school levels

• Transition programs for incoming 6th graders and 9th graders (high school freshmen)

• 21st Century Programs

• A work and learning program focusing on tutoring, employment and job readiness

• Adolescent Support Program• Community Partnership for Student Success

• Academic Enrichment for English Language Learners (ELL) students

• Programming at Crosby, Conte, Morningside Schools

• Summer Special Education programs

• Camp Vision for visually impaired students

• Summer pre-school program

• Tryouts and practice for fall athletic teams and summer athletic conditioning

Since 2011, grants and the district budget have supported summer school so there has been no charge

to PPS students to participate. Summer programs include bussing, breakfast and lunch whenever

applicable.

In addition, the district operates a federally funded summer food program that serves free breakfast and

lunch to children in the community at four open sites in the City of Pittsfield. In 2014, Pittsfield Public

Schools Food Services served an average of 789 lunches and 314 breakfasts per day during the

summer.


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Athlet icsPittsfield Public Schools offers the widest selection of varsity sports of any district in Berkshire County.

A total of 16 different sports are offered, including many programs with junior varsity level teams, as

well as varsity teams. There are 11 sports offered for girls, 11 sports offered for boys, and four co-

educational teams (ice hockey, golf, tennis, and wrestling).

Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School field a combined 60+ teams each school year, with the

goal of enriching the educational experience and enhancing educational goals of student athletes by

providing activities that offer lifelong and life quality learning experiences. The highest participationrates traditionally include the football, swimming and track programs.

Student athletic programs are funded through the district operating budget and student fees that fund

the athletic revolving account. The operating budget funds the athletic director and coaches’ salaries,

athletic transportation through the district’s bus operations department, and rental fees for the ice

hockey and swim teams. The city budget supports athletic programs with field maintenance and

preparation through the city buildings and grounds maintenance department. All other costs are funded

through the athletic revolving account, including replacement safety equipment, Berkshire County and

other league fees, game officials, medical coverage, event management, and police security presence

at games. Athletic teams receive significant financial support for uniform replacement and additional

equipment through booster clubs for individual teams.

Adult Learning Center Programs and ServicesPittsfield’s Adult Learning Center is the largest provider of Adult Basic Education and English for

Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs in Berkshire County. Since 1976, the Adult Learning

Center has been offering free education classes for adults that have either not completed their high

school education or speak English with limited proficiency. The main funding for these programs comes

from Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) grants and matching

funds from the Pittsfield Public Schools.

Currently the Adult Learning Center offers 17 classes through both day and evening schedules.

Approximately 190 students participate in the Adult Learning Center programs.

In FY16, it is expected that enrollment will increase by 15% (See FY16 Projected Enrollment).

Overall, fifty students graduated in FY14 by either passing the HiSet Exam (formerly GED exam) or

completing the requirements for the Adult Diploma Program and another 60 students were able to

make at least one Grade Level Equivalent (GLE) or Student Performance Level (SPL) gain during the

year. Based on the FY14 ESE Performance Standards Learning Gains Report, the ABE program

achieved an Advanced rating while ESOL program was considered at the Meets Standard level.

Operational Services

School Lunch and Breakfast Programs

All Pittsfield Public Schools participate in the national school lunch and breakfast program. The

programs serve an average of 5,579 meals per day. The schools’ food service program serves

students and staff. Current prices are $2.00 for lunch and $0.75 for breakfast for student meals and

$3.50 for lunch and $1.50 for breakfast for adult meals. In addition to the paid meal prices, the school

food service program receives state and federal reimbursement revenue for each meal served. The

charts below detail the current reimbursement rates.


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Lunch Reimbursement Rates

State Share Federal Share Total

Paid $.0575 $0.34 $0.3975

Reduced $.0575 $2.64 $2.6975

Free $.0575 $3.04 $3.0975

Breakfast Reimbursement Rates Federal Non Severe Need Or Federal Severe Need

Paid $0.28 $0.28

Reduced $1.32 $1.63

Free $1.62 $1.93

NOTE: Schools qualify for one reimbursement rate either severe or non-severe

depending on percentage of free/reduced students in school.

School food service programs are required to follow detailed nutritional guidelines in order to qualify for

state and federal reimbursement. The recent Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 was fully

implemented during school year, 2012-2013. The new federal requirements increased the amount ofwhole grains, fruits and vegetables that must be s

pittsfield schools fy16 budget book

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