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Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders Referendum Lisa Morse Director Community Engagement and District Initiatives
ReferendumLisa MorseDirector Community Engagement and District Initiatives
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Good Afternoon, Madam Chair, School Board Members, Dr. Patton. Today I would like to share information in support of the resolution for a referendum that the board is considering today.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
FAST FACTSabout Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Before I start with the details of the referendum I would like to review the overview of Collier County Public Schools. As you are aware Collier County is 2,300 square miles, with 58 schools, and 48,000 students. CCPS is the 115th largest district in the United States. We employee almost 7,000 people making us the largest employer in the County.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS – An “A” District Again!
3 | Collier County Public Schools
• Only 36% of the 67 Florida districts earned a district grade of an “A”• One of only 11 districts (16%) to earn an “A” for the last three years!
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Collier County continues to have a changing demographics of students including the largest number of migrant students in the State of Florida and a high percentage of English language learners. Inclusive of our large territory and our diverse population CCPS remains an A rated school district. Only 11 districts, out of 67 in the state, have been able to maintain an A for three years. This success is due to our hard working teachers, the support of this board, the District, and the support of parents and families.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS – An “A” District Again!
4 | Collier County Public Schools
• CCPS tied for the fifth highest percentage points (65%) earned, up from 33rd of 67 districts in 2011
• Of the thirteen districts with the highest percentage points in the state, CCPS has:
• the second largest student population (47,436)
• the largest number of English Language Learners-ELL (7,329)
• the second largest number of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (29,155)
• and the largest number of students identified as Migrant (3,066)
5thin
State(tied)
5thin
State
3rdin
State(tied)
14thin
State
33rdin
State
Presenter
Presentation Notes
CCPS has continued to make gains and improve outcomes for the last decade. In 2011 Collier County Public Schools was ranked 33rd in the State of Florida. Today the district is tied for 5th in the state and continuing to improve.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS – An “A” District Again!
5 | Collier County Public Schools
95% in 2019• CCPS outperformed the State
in 20 out of 21 tested areas30% in 2011• CCPS outperformed
the State in 6 out of 20 tested areas
Presenter
Presentation Notes
As a demonstration of that improvement I would like to share the improvements in test results. In 2011 CCPS students out performed the state average on 30% of the assessments. In 2019 CCPS students out performed the state on 95% of the assessments.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS Graduation Rate
6 | Collier County Public Schools
Academic Achievement19.4 percentage point increase since fiscal year 2011
2019
88.1%MIGRANT STUDENTS
53%35.1% increase
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (SWD)2019201084.8%48%
36.8% increase
88.2%
FY 2017
81.3%
FY 2013
82.1%
FY 2014
84.3%
FY 2015
86.7%
FY 2016
91.9%
FY 2019
78.4%
FY 2012
72.5%
FY 2011
91.9%
FY 2018
2010
Presenter
Presentation Notes
And during that same time frame the district has moved the high school graduation rate from 72.5% to 91.9%, a 19.4 increase. This increase is great for our students and our community and is certainly a point of pride. The successes demonstrated on the last few slides are due to strategic support, outstanding teaching, a commitment to excellence, and great school leadership. As we move into the rest of the presentation we will review how schools are funded by tax dollars and the need for voter approved flexibility to support the continued success.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Florida Public School Budgets• Capital vs. Operating
• These two areas are determined by statute• Capital accounts fund: facilities, maintenance, equipment,
student transportation, athletics, supplies, software, utilities• In order to provide flexibility for use of funds, a public vote is
required
7 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
As we transition into the discussion about the referendum I want to take a minute to remind everyone how public schools are funded. There are two types of funding for public schools, capital and operating. They are both funded through local, state, and federal taxes but they are restricted by law in how they are used. Capital funds help fund things like facilities, building maintenance, equipment and debt payments Operating funds helps fund things staffing including teachers, bus drivers, office support as well as student transportation, athletics, supplies and utilities This funding is mandated by state statute and one set of funds can not be used to support another area without approval fro the public. In order to provide flexibility for use of funds a public vote is required through a referendum
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Statewide Funding for Schools• Historically, State funding has not
covered the costs of education• This is a statewide issue
challenging all school districts• 20 districts across the State have
conducted tax-increase referendums to help with the funding crisis
• These 20 districts represent 65.4% of the students in the State of Florida
8 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The funding mechanism in the State of Florida does not cover the full cost of education. In the state of Florida, 20 counties have held tax increase referendums to help fund education. These 20 districts represent 65.4% of students. Of the 20 districts that have done a tax increase referendum, 3 of them have implimented both sales tax and ad valorum tax increases. CCPS has never done a tax increase referendum.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS Referendum History• In 2008, Collier County voters supported the first tax-neutral
referendum to provide operating flexibility support for the schools• In 2012, Collier County voters voted to renew the referendum,
allowing continued flexibility• In 2016, the referendum funding ended• Since 2016, Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) has used budget
reserves to maintain staffing and programs, each year reducing the budget reserve to support operating expenses
9 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Although, CCPS has never done a tax increase referendum the funding for education has been an issue for this district for a long time. In 2008 CCPS held its first tax-neutral referendum. The voters of collier county voted to allow CCPS the flexibility to utilize capital funding to support district operations. In 2012 the voters renewed that referendum providing much needed flexibility and focus on the needs of the district. The tax neutral referendums ended in 2016. Without the flexibility that was provided from the referendum CCPS utilized a reserve budget that had been set aside for budget shortfalls. The budget that is set aside for shortfalls has helped support CCPS for the last four years, however that budget will run out. It is clear that for the last 12 years CCPS has needed extra funding in operating in order to operate in a highly effective manor, delivering the results we reviewed at the beginning of this power point.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Budget Deficit
• At the board meeting on September 10, 2019, the approved 2019-2020 budget included a deficit of $7.5 million prior to salary negotiations
• At the conclusion of salary negotiations, an additional $12.5 million was added to the operational deficit for salary increases bringing the total 2019-2020 deficit to an estimated $20 million
• It is anticipated that by the end of 2021, the District will have depleted the budget shortfall reserves
10 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
I mentioned that the budget that was reserved for budget shortfall is running out. I would like to share some details on the budget. For the 2019-202 budget an expected deficit of $7.5 million was anticipated, prior to salary negotiations. At the end of negotiations the salary increases cost $12.5 million dollar. The expected deficit along with the salary increases brings the anticipated deficit from this school year to $20 million. It is anticipated that by the end of the next school year the district will have depleted the budget that was for budget deficits.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Tax-Neutral Referendum GoalIn order to maintain the high-level programs and the high-quality staff that makes CCPS a high-performing school district, CCPS needs flexibility to use capital dollars for operating expenses to meet the needs of the District
To achieve such flexibility, the District must add a referendum to the August 18th ballot providing up to .35 operating millage while voluntarily reducing the capital millage - a cost-neutral referendum
11 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Considering all that we have reviewed it is evident that the District is in need of Flexible funding through a referendum similar to the one in 2008 and 2012. ***Read slide directly.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Tax Neutral Referendum Overview
Tax-Neutral Referendum – asking the voters to approve up to a .35 mill operating tax and the District voluntarily reduces the capital tax by up to .35 mill (same amount)
12 | Collier County Public Schools
• Funding would begin to support District operations in July 2021 (fiscal year 2022)
• This is a four-year referendum• As required by law, referendum dollars would be shared
proportionately with charter schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The resolution before the board outlines a tax-neutral referendum. The resolution would put an item on the August 2020 ballot for voters to consider. The referendum would be for a four year period and would increase operating millage by .35 and the district would voluntarily reduce the capital millage by .35 mills
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
What Does Tax-Neutral Mean?
No extra cost to taxpayers
from this referendum13 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
This would be a tax-neutral. Tax neutral means that this change would mean no extra costs for tax payers as it relates to the referendum
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS Capital Funds
• This referendum will defer items within the Capital Improvement Plan as well as some capital maintenance projects
• However, the District will no longer have capital debt in 2026 and can begin restoring capital maintenance projects
14 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The reduction in capital funding will require some capital improvement plans and some maintenance to be deferred. However, unlike other districts in the state of Florida, CCPS will no longer have capital debt as of 2026 and can begin restoring capital maintenance and catch up on any deferred projects.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Referendum SupportThe referendum will help preserve programs and reduce risk of programmatic reductions that could include:
• Funding to recruit and retain the best teachers in Florida• Arts/Music (for example: chorus, band, orchestra, theater, general art/music classes)• Athletics programs (middle and high school)• Staffing • Academic competitions• Field Trips• Special programming such as Career Academies and Entrepreneurship• Afterschool programs/clubs• Other
15 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
While CCPS administration will continue to look at budget reductions and consolidating expenses wherever possible but without flexible funding many programs may be at risk. On this screen you will see a list of some things that could be a risk without flexible funding. These programs are not mandated by statute so would have to be considered if the district had to make deep cuts due to no referendum. A sample of the programs we certainly want to preserve include: Funding to recruit and retain the best teachers….we need to remain competitive in the state. Programs such as Art, Music and Athletics The level of staffing that helps make this district successful Academic competitions and filed trips Special programing such as career preparation programs, entrepreneurship programs and afterschool programs and club This list includes just a few examples
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Timeline
16 | Collier County Public Schools
April• 4/21/20 School Board Resolution
May• 5/12/20 Board of County Commissioner's Resolution
June• 6/18/20 Ballot language due
July• 7/9/20 Vote by mail ballots mailed
August • 8/18/20 Vote
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In order to add this item to the ballot on August 18th, 2020, the board would need to approve the resolution tonight. Then the resolution would be sent to the Board of County Commissioners for their approval at their May 12th meeting. The final language for the ballot is due to the Supervisor of Election's in June. While the official vote will take place on August 18th, ballots for voters who vote by mail will be sent out in early July.
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
Ballot LanguageAllow Tax-Neutral Flexible Funding for Collier County Public Schools
For a period of up to four years beginning July 2021, shall the Collier County Public Schools enact tax-neutral flexible funding to (a) reduce ad valorem taxes up to .35 mills for capital funding; (b) add ad valorem taxes up to .35 mills for operating expenses; (c) provide charter schools with their proportionate share, as required by law; and (d) maintain high quality staff and programs; all without increasing taxes.
Yes_______ No_______
17 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
On this screen you will see the official ballot language. This is the language that is at the bottom of the resolution for consideration today. ** Read slide directly
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
CCPS ResolutionIn order for CCPS to maintain high-quality programs, the highest quality of staff, and the high level of outcomes demonstrated by the District, the District needs to have adequate operating dollars
18 | Collier County Public Schools
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In addition to the referendum the district will continue to monitor all expenses and make any reduction in expenses as possible but without adequate funding the district can not continue to deliver the same high quality programs and the high level of outcomes it has in the past. The success of CCPS and our students translates directly to the success of our community and our economy. This referendum is important in order to support the education of our students!
Today’s Learners – Tomorrow’s Leaders
ReferendumLisa MorseDirector Community Engagement and District Initiatives
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Thank you for your consideration today. I will not turn it back to Dr. Patton.
