My Thoughts on FWCS Budget Cuts
Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 2/7/10 @ 4:21 pm - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics, Uncategorized
The Fort Wayne Community School Board has requested that the administration come up with $15 million in potential cuts by the end of the month. To put that into perspective it is roughly 5% of the total 2010 budget.
First, let me point out that I believe that the district has the financial problems it does for a variety of reasons - flight to the suburbs, changes and uncertainty at the state legislature and poor management and oversight from the administration and the school board. In a district that was performing academically the administration could (as Southwest Allen County Schools did) go to the taxpayers and ask for a tax increase. However, the majority of taxpayers are unlikely to support such a measure since they do not have the confidence in the Superintendent or her administrators to solve the problems we face.
Next, I think it’s important to note that attempting to whitewash the district’s academic problems by focusing on “New Tech” highschools and other such programs only serves to exacerbate the problem and cost the district millions of dollars. The real focus should be on ending social promotion, improving parental involvement and fixing the academic issues at the elementary schools. Focusing on high schools just won’t get the district the bang for the buck they need right now. Too many kids are promoted on without learning the skills they need, and by the time they get to high school it’s simply too late.
Having said that I have come up with a list of items that I feel should be implemented to reduce the budget while minimizing the impact on academics. I recognize that some of these will be difficult and require an adept administration to pull off. I also realize that many of these will be unpopular for various groups. Unfortunately, we are in a position where these cuts are necessary. It isn’t a matter of how much will get cut; it’s a matter of what will get cut.
I believe these items can help bridge the financial gap but I recognize that more will be needed in order to turn around the academics. The administration’s latest plan of “blame the teachers” is self-servingly fool-hearted and won’t do anything to solve the problems we face. I’ll have more on that in a future post but for now here are my ideas. Feel free to let me know what you think of these items or post your own suggestions:
- 20% cut in salary/benefits for administrators. The salaries of many administrators are out of line with the surrounding schools and their poor performance does not justify such a pay differential.
- Elimination of all paid teacher assistants. Some of these people are helpful for the teaching staff and some are not. The district should focus on recruiting quality volunteers to take the place of some of the assistant staff - back in the day these people were called “room mothers”.
- Outsource as many non-academic staff as possible. There’s no reason that the custodians, bus drivers, IT personnel, food service workers, etc have to be district employees. The argument that the district is too big to contract that work out doesn’t hold water. I believe the district could potentially save 15+% over their current costs without most people noticing a nickel’s worth of difference.
- Reduce after-school pay stipends by 80%. The district simply can’t afford to pay thousands of dollars to debate coaches or any other form of after school stipend for that matter. More volunteers should be recruited and if that means that some after school programs have to go away then that’s unfortunate, but financially necessary.
- Double the current insurance premiums for employees. Teachers currently pay 10% of the premium cost but costs are rising and employees should be asked to up their contribution to 20% of the total premium cost. This is still a nice benefit and on-par or better with many private company plans. Also, since the district is self-insured it needs to focus on strategies to minimize their healthcare costs.
- Line-by-line budget reduction for travel, furniture, subscriptions, seminars, etc. Some of these are professional development and some are likely just boondoggles. When times are tough this kind of stuff has to go. Two years ago the city successfully cut its budget by focusing on many small ticket items like this.
- A 2 year wage freeze for all teachers. Unpopular to be sure, but everybody has to have some skin in the game here. The alternative is teacher reduction which only serves to increase class size.
- Eliminate the preschool program. The district is struggling to provide quality K-12 education so I propose we focus on that before worrying about preschool. (Note: I’m not talking about kindergarten here).
- Re-allocate the racial balance fund back into the general fund. The achievement gap continues to widen despite the district’s best intentions with this program. The focus should be on finding new solutions to this growing problem without wasting money on programs that simply don’t work. The “we’ve always done it this way” or “the Supreme Court said we had to have this” will no longer suffice. Again, this is just a re-allocation and not a cut. However, I believe that a new plan can be found that will result in cost-savings.
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22 Responses to “My Thoughts on FWCS Budget Cuts”
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Very well put. Personally, I would support a bond issue to prevent teacher reductions if the district could convince me they’re really going to make the tough decisions necessary to improve test scores. But this administration, FWEA and the like minded board members they helped elect have absolutely no credibility toward that end. They’re about preserving the status quo and taking the path of least resistance. And nicer buildings.
Which is why you need to run for the board.
The FWCS teachers that I have worked with (as a volunteer) have been very dedicated and are teaching as much and as well as they are allowed by the administration (and some unwize and unneeded Federal mandates).
I agree with John’s opinion of our teachers on an individual basis. Collectively, however, we’re talking about the FEWA, which is a different story. I would be very surprised, for example, if they would agree with Jeff’s suggestion of a pay freeze let alone a pay cut in order to prevent layoffs of fellow teachers.
I have not heard a peep about reducing or eliminating busing in the district. Do we really need to continue to bus for maintaining racial equality? It appears that students are getting the same crappy education district wide. I’m exaggerating a little, but when your kid plays the violin and the teacher hasn’t even given them the bow yet this year because of discipline problems, its time to speak up.
Your #9 idea is the best. Established 21 years ago, I would think GiaQuinta, as an attorney, could argue that the Racial Balance Fund’s purpose is now moot and the money would best serve the district in the general fund. Just a couple of years ago the budget in that fund was $9 million! Many teachers would agree with #7 only if administrators agreed to the same…but good luck with the union. FWCS will save some by switching high schools to a seven period day, but they are not saying it.
I agree with Evert…you should run for the board!
JHolly,
I think teachers would agree to #7 if #1 was put in place as well.
As for the union (I’m probably more pro-teachers union on here than many) they probably understand that there’s no free lunch here. It’s either going to be position cuts or salary freezes. From an academics perspective the freezes are a much better solution.
The question is whether or not they are finally willing to recognize that their interests are not aligned with the superintendent’s whatsoever.
To put it bluntly, there is absolutely no way in hell that the superintendent is going to meet the board’s goals. So there’s only going to be two choices - blame herself or blame teachers. Which do you think will happen?
In fact I think it’s quite obvious that such a tactic is already underway. The union would be wise to start supporting candidates that are opposed to the current administration’s tactics and failed policies. But I’ve been saying that for a few years now and nothing has changed - if anything it’s gotten worse…
Eliminating the racial balance program, which has done nothing in 20 years to narrow the achievement gap, is a political red herring. Doing so would change the “character of the district”, whatever that means. The funding, part of which which comes from the capital fund, is now paying mostly for teachers. I would leave that part alone or put it into the general fund. Before the last election we proposed a bond issue to keep the teachers going, restoring money to the capital fund to improve the buildings.
But the other cost of “racial balance” is a large part of the $20 million transportation budget, spent on busing kids all over town. That’s money that could be saved, although they might not be able to put it in a different “bucket” to pay teachers’ salaries.
We already have public transportation in place partially funded by taxpayers. Why not explore the options of using that for those that will not attend a neighborhood school. (a school geographically closest to them) That would allow them to cut operating costs while bolstering PTC usage.
I like that idea better than cutting teacher salaries. In my opinion, Giaquinta is doing a poor job of leadership on this current board. The best example is deciding to spend money to change the LOGO when that should be the last thing they are concerned with there. I think it was very appropriate to change it. The previous logo had the lamp of learning included. Now all we have are polygons of all colors. It speaks to an underlying issue where diversity before education is displayed from the board president down. He could try to argue, but he hasn’t shown much innovation yet. yea, like making the building custodian re-apply for his position isn’t a waste of time.
They must hve rid themselves of e-mail though, because nobody is returning any of mine.
Here are some alternatives -
1. Eliminate the high school athletic directors/combine their role with the discipline dean. Savings 6 x $60,000 salaries + $30,000 = $90,000 x 6 = $540,000.00.
2. Eliminate the Principal and Assist. Principal at NewTech - Wayne does not need 5 administration for their total population of 1,100 students. Savings 1 x $100,000 salaries + $70.000 salaries + $30,000 x 2 = $30,000 = $230,000.
3. Outsource Severe Special Education to EasterSeals AWS or another service delivery provider; The provider, especially a nonprofit, medical model could benefit from MediCaid Reimbursement and fundraising. Students could still attend FWCS, however staff would employees of the service providers. Potential Savings $100,000 (staffing) x 12 = $1,200,000.
Preschool is an interesting thing…you could outsource it to CANI if nothing else.
BTW…As a former sub, I have seen a number of teachers who don’t teach, and several that do okay. The margin is 1:5.
I agree with Evert that the real gold mine lies in returning to neighborhood schools and reduce that 300 bus fleet. In 2007, the Roberts Court partially overturned Brown v. Board to prohibit Seattle and Louisville from using racial composition as a basis for busing. Since “diversity” in of itself, does little or nothing to improve student performance, it is time to cease educational spending for political reasons. Indeed, we are Taxed Enough Already.
It would seem by reading the post and comments that everyone is pretty much set on a return to a lot of the “basics” those of us with a few years behind us used to enjoy many decades ago…
Novel idea.
And back then, I don’t EVER recall any deficits in ANY of the school systems, AND we had higher performance/graduation rates for ALL races.
If there WERE deficits, it was found at the student level (failure to involve oneself and learn what’s being taught) And even that was readily addressed, too.
Excellent debate with some damn fine ideas, people.
I appreciate and learn so much reading this dialog. I wish these ideas were a part of the dialog on wanetv.com as many who are commenting and reading would benefit from some good hard suggestions/information. The fingerpointing is getting us nowhere. Save Our Schools! We don’t need to reinvent. We need to stand back and take a look at where we can find the resources that we know we have that we can back off on…
Those of us old enough (and still retaining some memory) recall that the original building of the War Memorial Coliseum was financed in part by BORROWING (!!!!) from the county school fund balance! - That was before the Federal Government had a Department of Education and had their fingers into our local educational system. How times have changed!!!
Here are some ways I believe FWCS could save a ton of money:
1. Get rid of the area administrators and their staffs. This would save well over $600,000.
2. Next, stop bussing. It has not worked and it is costing the district millions. Bussing also hampers community involvement. Wendy, the “C” in FWCS stands for Community.
3. Drop a couple of sports.
4. Get rid of the three professional days that Wendy added a couple of years ago. This would save over a million dollars.
5. Next, close a couple of the constantly low performing schools.
6. Combine some of the athletic directors.
7. Each high school should get rid of one administrator and two guidance counselors.
8. Lobby the state for the right to add more hours to the school day and only have school four days a week.
9. Get rid of the instructional coaching positions and use the stimulus money to keep more teachers in the classroom where they belong.
10. Make some meaningful cuts at the Grile Building.
11. End full day kindergarten. In the long run full day kindergarten has not been proven to help studens. Sorry parents, but you will have to find another babysitter because the school system can no longer afford to do the job for you.
I agree with your ideas and was thinking along the lines of #1,4 and 7 myself. I also thought about the district offering an incentive to teachers willing to retire this year. Many (but not all) of them are ready to be done and do more harm than good in the classroom. I like the other ideas as well and think they would go far to eliminate the $15 million deficit. I don’t think my job is in jeopardy, but several of my collegues’ are, and they are wonderful, innovative teachers. Let’s save their jobs and encourage those who are burned out to retire.
Spencer,
Please run for School Board. You have common sense ideas which are sorely lacking. I imagine that you would not be using the board seat as a springboard to other public office either.
I have taught for FWCS as an elementary teacher for 18 years. I agree with everything you said except to cut the full day K. I believe it is very beneficial for the students and is a help to the parents as well. What has always bothered me is that in the elementary classroom, we have to be an expert at Reading, Writing, Grammar, Computer skills, MATH, SS, Science, and Health; along with being an expert in managing the behavior of 24-30 children a day. We get paid the same, and many times less, than the “building facilitators and coaches, downtown reading coaches, and reading specialists who do very little to help the children directly. The most students they teach at a time, w/repeat of same lesson & subject matter is 4-6. Many of these teachers are so far removed from being a teacher of the classroom that they could never go back and manage, yet their positions are not esssential to the corp. and we have wasted money on these salaries for many years! Many of these teachers were placed in these positions because they were tired of all the work El ED teachers do. They have had these posh jobs for 8-10 years and have no intention of returning to the classrooms. If we eliminated all of these positions, I bet we would have lots more retirements. If they were required to go back into the classroom, they would quit before being put back into the difficult posiition of classroom teacher. I believe there are 10 district coaches each making between $45,000-70,000. There are also 3-7 of these non-classroom teachers in each of the el. buildings. Think of this savings alone! The majority of classroom teachers feel exactly the same way I do, but downtown office wants to waste money on these silly positions yet another year. I do not believe they deserve the same pay scale as a regular classroom teacher. Our children need more teachers with smaller class size!
I agree that 4 day work week would save lots of money with longer work days. The only fall back of that would be that it would be hard for the younger children to be in school that long of a day. With the added curriculum standards and increased needs of the children, it would be a challenge to keep their attention during the longer day.
Lots of great ideas, however, I want people to know that good teaching is an exhausting job. I am “on stage 24-7 every minute of every day, I am in my classroom. For the teachers who do the job right and put their hearts and minds into it, the pay is worth every penny. I believe the experience the teacher has is valuable and I understand why we get paid more. I did not used to think that until I had taught a few years. I personally work 50 hours a week. PLUS taking work home for about an extra 10 hours a week.
Thanks for listening to the heart of a teacher.
One more thought…I have no problem with a salary freeze or increasing our insurance premium 10$ more than what we pay. I am just so grateful to have a job in this economy. I feel blessed to teach for FWCS and do appreciate my benefit package and salary. I am willing to sacrifice some in our crisis, because I know many people in the world are sacrificing much to keep their jobs today.
I, too, would like to see the 4 day school week coupled with longer school days. Perhaps in order to solve the problem of the schoold day being too long for kids and the parents who would need to find additional child care a compromise could be reached. Leave elementary schools at the current 5 day schedule while middle and high schools go to the 4 day week. Perhaps the fifth day could be used for optional advanced college prep or technichal programs.
I have read all of your comments and I think a lot of it has merit. I personally think they should subtract the teachers wages from the budget look at the 100 or so million thats left and figure out how much of that is going down the drain. As to title 504 and other services provided disabled students I was pretty sure the federal government provides at least som revenue to support those programs.
One subject I have yet to hear anyone discuss. How much money does FWCS spend trying to educate illegal immigrant children? Please don’t confuse legal with illegal. I have no doubt that in some elementary schools atleast a third of the students are from illegal immigrant families. The free lunches alone are probably an enormous expense. Fewer students would mean fewer schools and teachers needed, especially esl teachers. Since we are talking tax dollars for education I think this subject should atleast be discussed.
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