Minutes - April 22, 2015
Certified Staff Minutes
April 2015
The Certified Staff Advisory meet Wednesday, April 22, 2015. Members present were: Laura White, SES; Melissa Shields, MGES; Charlene Little, CES; Mandy Brown, PSES; Jackie Baldwin; EMS; Erika Shaw, MLA; Teresa Furr; GRES.
Dr. Ellis welcomed those in attendance.
Budget Update
In the past, in February we receive a planning allotment, which provided a good idea of what to expect when funding was received. A new law was passed that changes the way budgets are calculated. There is a major deficit this year, at the state level, which will be covered through fund balance. Ultimately, there is no longer a planning allotment, which makes planning for the coming year a challenge. We are planning as if we are receiving around the same amount of funds that we received last year minus some based on a decrease in students. Thus we will continue to look at positions. We will continue to do all that we can to protect people. Dr. Ellis presented budget to county commissioners last night, and funds received from the county have been stable. We will receive a $50,000 increase from the county for the coming year. We will also receive a $100,000 to put into a capital fund balance to help upgrade technology provided by the I3 grant when updates are needed.
Facilities Update
There is a lot of talk about one versus two high schools, and either scenario would be supported by the school board if money was available. This also includes an addition of a wing at East Middle School. We continue to have this discussion, however the real issue is that funding is not available at this time to support either option. Redistricting is also a topic that needs to be addressed, specifically at Green Ridge. It could also become an option for the high school due to the influx of students from the middle school, specifically the increase on the east side. If approved, this would not go into effect until the 2016 – 2017 school year. As a result, the board has passed a resolution to establish a capital fund. This asks for county commissioners to consider the creation of a capital fund to support our needs. It is being considered by commissioners, but has NOT been approved. An additional way to raise funds is by a (general obligation) bond referendum. The general assembly has passed a law that bond referendums have to be proposed during an even year, which greatly decreases our chances of getting a bond passed since these will be major elections years.
Questions/Concerns
MGES: What is considered a year’s growth on the TRC in K, 1, 2? We would like to know how standard 6 is used. Good question. However, it has not been clearly defined by the state at this point. Dr. LeGrand and Deidra Steed continue to monitor this and will update as soon as an answer is determined.
The testing calendar changing when extra outside proctors and administrators have already been notified of dates to help, as well as having open schools/classrooms and the noise and risk of mis-administration.
Also, community ball schedules have already been developed and sent out because the season has started - doesn't look well in the community to have the testing calendar and it being this late and changing it.
Worried about teachers having 7-8 days of no specials, as well as that students won't have specials which allow them to get the needed break this late in the school year- helps with discipline issues!
Being as uniform as possible is the best way to handle the testing calendar. So that everyone is following the same schedule.
CES: First there is a rumored that since we are losing our librarian this year for retirement, an assistant will be used to take this position. Understanding that if this does happen, we were wondering will an assistant be added or will one (assistant) be moved from the classroom in that position from our already shortage that we have now. This cannot be answered until we receive the budget and will be reviewed at that time. Media centers will not be closed.
Second, there is the concern that we need to have a nurse more than twice a week at our school. Are there any funds whereby another nurse could be hired so that we can have at least three days a week? Not sure of the ratio of medical issues at each school but maybe that could be used to determine perhaps if a nurse needs to be at a certain school more than another. Nursing schedule will be reviewed to see if any changes can be made based on numbers of student enrollment.
PSES: 1) Why are we (MCS) not administering EOG tests during the last ten days of the school year (as stated in the state testing calendar)?
Reasons for this question: We administered EOGs successfully the first week of June for the past two years. The teachers want to spend as much time as possible teaching their curriculum to prepare the students for the test. Every second of time we can spend on curriculum is always important, but especially important with the amount of time we missed this year with delays.
2) Could each individual school prepare their own testing schedule?
Reasons for this question: With the new testing schedule (decided at the principal's meeting), we have students testing on a Friday and a Monday...and 5th grade is taking all three of their tests on three consecutive days. Schools will have to go into testing mode for seven consecutive days.
Being as uniform as possible is the best way to handle the testing calendar. So that everyone is following the same schedule. K-2 teachers please make sure that you are verifying rosters. Also, there are benefits to the schedule, allowing testing to be segmented which could free up other staff members to help as well as supporting test security for limited access to tests.
Additional Questions
Is there anywhere in our budget where we have saved money? What has been saved in other areas has been dedicated to professional development and to develop/improve programs to assist teachers and classroom learning.