Schoolboard Budget Workshop 1 2010
Community Feedback to Curtailment Committee
The community-provided revenue enhancement / expenditure reduction feedback from the December 8, 2009 ad hoc Curtailment Committee public meeting is attached.
Ad Hoc Curtailment Committee
There is hereby established the Cape Elizabeth ad hoc Curtailment Committee. The Committee shall consist of 7 members. Two members shall be members of the School Board; two members shall be members of the Town Council; one member shall be a member of the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation, “CEEF”, one member shall represent the Cape Elizabeth Education Association, “CEEA” and there shall be one student member who is the High School Student Advisory Council representative to the School Board.
Committee Charge
The Committee shall prepare recommendations for addressing the financing needs of the schools in response to significant reductions in the state’s General Purpose Aid to Education for fiscal years 2009-10 (the budget curtailment) and 2010-11. The committee shall present a report to the School Board and other related town organizations no later than January 15, 2010.
Committee Staff
The committee staff shall include the Superintendent, Town Manager and Business Manager.
Members of the Committee:
Dwight Ely, CEEA
Sara Lennon, Town Council
Rebecca Millett, School Board
Matt Miklavic, School Board Student Representative
Kathy Ray, School Board
Anne E. Swift-Kayatta, Town Council
Timothy Thompson, CEEF
Pauline Aportria, Business Manager, ex officio
Michael McGovern, Town Manager, ex officio
Alan H. Hawkins, Superintendent, ex officio
adopted by Cape Elizabeth School Board December 1, 2009
Committee Charge
The Committee shall prepare recommendations for addressing the financing needs of the schools in response to significant reductions in the state’s General Purpose Aid to Education for fiscal years 2009-10 (the budget curtailment) and 2010-11. The committee shall present a report to the School Board and other related town organizations no later than January 15, 2010.
Committee Staff
The committee staff shall include the Superintendent, Town Manager and Business Manager.
Members of the Committee:
Dwight Ely, CEEA
Sara Lennon, Town Council
Rebecca Millett, School Board
Matt Miklavic, School Board Student Representative
Kathy Ray, School Board
Anne E. Swift-Kayatta, Town Council
Timothy Thompson, CEEF
Pauline Aportria, Business Manager, ex officio
Michael McGovern, Town Manager, ex officio
Alan H. Hawkins, Superintendent, ex officio
adopted by Cape Elizabeth School Board December 1, 2009
Thank you
Thank you to everyone in the community who took time out of their busy holiday schedules to share their thoughts and ideas with the Ad Hoc Curtailment Committee on Tuesday evening.
If you were unable to attend the workshop and have specific suggestions for revenue enhancement or expenditure reduction, please contact a member of the Curtailment Committee.
If you were unable to attend the workshop and have specific suggestions for revenue enhancement or expenditure reduction, please contact a member of the Curtailment Committee.
Financial Situation Meeting - Tuesday, December 8
Dear Cape Elizabeth Community Members,
Please see the letter attached from School Board Chair, Trish Brigham and myself regarding the current financial situation. This letter also serves an invitation for you to join us at the Curtailment Committee Workshop on Tuesday, December 8, at 7PM in the High School Cafeteria.
Please see the letter attached from School Board Chair, Trish Brigham and myself regarding the current financial situation. This letter also serves an invitation for you to join us at the Curtailment Committee Workshop on Tuesday, December 8, at 7PM in the High School Cafeteria.
H1N1 - August 10, 2009
Right now, parents of school aged students everywhere are preparing for a new school year, finding out who their children’s teachers will be, buying school supplies, and seeing the doctor to make sure their kids are healthy and ready to learn.
But as a parent, you need to add one more very important item to that back-to-school checklist: what to do if someone in your family gets the flu.
This fall—as every fall—we not only have to plan for a new version of seasonal influenza, but in addition, another potentially serious strain, the 2009 H1N1 virus.
We first saw the new H1N1 virus in the U.S. last April, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to report higher than normal levels of flu-like illness and actual H1N1 outbreaks in some parts of the country. That’s very unusual at this time of year.
CDC estimates so far we’ve had more than 1 million cases of H1N1 in the United States. Similar to seasonal flu, with H1N1 you’ll get a fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, achiness, headache, chills and fatigue. Sometimes H1N1 causes diarrhea and vomiting. Just like seasonal flu, it can be severe and potentially deadly.
H1N1 can be dangerous for a person with an underlying medical condition—such as asthma or diabetes—or if you’re pregnant. So far, it’s been most contagious among children and young adults age six months to 24 years. Health care workers, emergency responders, and people caring for infants should be on guard.
Scientists believe this virus could worsen with the arrival of school. But if we prepare for the virus now, it does not have to.
Some of these precautions are simple and personal. Make it a routine to wash your hands often with soap and water. Cough into your elbow or into a tissue, not in your hands.
Stay home if you’re sick, and start planning now in the event that one of your children gets the flu. Ask yourself these questions: If you work, have you made arrangements for childcare? Have you talked with your employer about what to do in case you need to be out?
Some preparation is community-wide. If you’re an employer, now is the time to plan to meet your objectives with a reduced staff. You do not want an employee who is ill to spread flu in the workplace.
If you’re a medical provider, don’t risk being overloaded and overburdened. An outbreak will not only bring people who have H1N1 into hospitals and doctors’ offices—you’ll also see the “worried well.” Plan now to deal with the influx of patients that could come with an outbreak.
At the national level, scientists at the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and the Food and Drug Administration are working with vaccine manufacturers to make sure that an H1N1 vaccine is not only safe, but that the virus is not changing in ways that would reduce a vaccine’s impact. They expect to have a vaccine ready this fall.
If you want more information, please visit www.flu.gov. The site provides guidance to prepare for, prevent, and respond to an outbreak. It includes checklists and fact sheets that will help families and others make sure they are prepared.
Right now, flu.gov is posting a contest. Create a public service announcement to get the word out on flu prevention and post it to YouTube; you may win a $2,500 cash prize. The contest is open to people age 14 and older. The deadline for submissions is August 17 at 11:59 PM.
To wrap up: a reminder. Wash your hands, cough in your sleeve, and stay home when you’re sick. Get the vaccine when it’s available. No one knows what the impact of the fall flu season will be until we’re in the middle of it. But how severe the flu becomes this fall will depend on how seriously each of us takes action to reduce the risk now.
On Thursday, August 20th I will be attending a statewide meeting with Dr. Dora Mills and other representatives of the CDC, state agencies, municipal and school system leaders to formulate clear and concise action plans at the state and local levels. New information arrives almost daily in my office and we will continue to keep citizens informed of the changing circumstances.
But as a parent, you need to add one more very important item to that back-to-school checklist: what to do if someone in your family gets the flu.
This fall—as every fall—we not only have to plan for a new version of seasonal influenza, but in addition, another potentially serious strain, the 2009 H1N1 virus.
We first saw the new H1N1 virus in the U.S. last April, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to report higher than normal levels of flu-like illness and actual H1N1 outbreaks in some parts of the country. That’s very unusual at this time of year.
CDC estimates so far we’ve had more than 1 million cases of H1N1 in the United States. Similar to seasonal flu, with H1N1 you’ll get a fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, achiness, headache, chills and fatigue. Sometimes H1N1 causes diarrhea and vomiting. Just like seasonal flu, it can be severe and potentially deadly.
H1N1 can be dangerous for a person with an underlying medical condition—such as asthma or diabetes—or if you’re pregnant. So far, it’s been most contagious among children and young adults age six months to 24 years. Health care workers, emergency responders, and people caring for infants should be on guard.
Scientists believe this virus could worsen with the arrival of school. But if we prepare for the virus now, it does not have to.
Some of these precautions are simple and personal. Make it a routine to wash your hands often with soap and water. Cough into your elbow or into a tissue, not in your hands.
Stay home if you’re sick, and start planning now in the event that one of your children gets the flu. Ask yourself these questions: If you work, have you made arrangements for childcare? Have you talked with your employer about what to do in case you need to be out?
Some preparation is community-wide. If you’re an employer, now is the time to plan to meet your objectives with a reduced staff. You do not want an employee who is ill to spread flu in the workplace.
If you’re a medical provider, don’t risk being overloaded and overburdened. An outbreak will not only bring people who have H1N1 into hospitals and doctors’ offices—you’ll also see the “worried well.” Plan now to deal with the influx of patients that could come with an outbreak.
At the national level, scientists at the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and the Food and Drug Administration are working with vaccine manufacturers to make sure that an H1N1 vaccine is not only safe, but that the virus is not changing in ways that would reduce a vaccine’s impact. They expect to have a vaccine ready this fall.
If you want more information, please visit www.flu.gov. The site provides guidance to prepare for, prevent, and respond to an outbreak. It includes checklists and fact sheets that will help families and others make sure they are prepared.
Right now, flu.gov is posting a contest. Create a public service announcement to get the word out on flu prevention and post it to YouTube; you may win a $2,500 cash prize. The contest is open to people age 14 and older. The deadline for submissions is August 17 at 11:59 PM.
To wrap up: a reminder. Wash your hands, cough in your sleeve, and stay home when you’re sick. Get the vaccine when it’s available. No one knows what the impact of the fall flu season will be until we’re in the middle of it. But how severe the flu becomes this fall will depend on how seriously each of us takes action to reduce the risk now.
On Thursday, August 20th I will be attending a statewide meeting with Dr. Dora Mills and other representatives of the CDC, state agencies, municipal and school system leaders to formulate clear and concise action plans at the state and local levels. New information arrives almost daily in my office and we will continue to keep citizens informed of the changing circumstances.
PLANNING FOR H1N1 THIS FALL
The newspaper and television reports warn us that H1N1 and related flu components could be much more difficult and challenging in the fall of 2009. Throughout the summer I have worked closely with the CDC, Cumberland County Emergency Preparedness, and several other agencies to remain current on the status of the flu, not only in the State of Maine but also in the northeast, the nation, and in the southern hemisphere as they move through the winter months. The three school nurse have also remained current on the situation and we are preparing for the opening of school this fall.
On Thursday, August 20th, 2009, I have been invited to a conference on H1N1 to work with Dr. Mills and other national, local and state representatives to develop a plan for managing future outbreaks. The three nurse will also be attending that conference with me.
As the opening day of school comes closer, updated information will be provided to all members of the community. In the meantime, the most important advice is to follow the nurses instruction of the spring and be sure your children protect themselves from open sneezing and coughing and to wash they hands regularly throughout the day.
On Thursday, August 20th, 2009, I have been invited to a conference on H1N1 to work with Dr. Mills and other national, local and state representatives to develop a plan for managing future outbreaks. The three nurse will also be attending that conference with me.
As the opening day of school comes closer, updated information will be provided to all members of the community. In the meantime, the most important advice is to follow the nurses instruction of the spring and be sure your children protect themselves from open sneezing and coughing and to wash they hands regularly throughout the day.
LAPTOP TECHNOLOGY FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL
As recently reported, the State’s order for laptops for the middle school and high school has been sent to Apple computer. With that in mind, it is important that the public understand the current laptop plans for Cape Elizabeth Schools. In summary
a) all seventh and eight grade students will receive new computer from the MLTI,
b) all teachers at the middle school and high school level will receive new laptops, but
c) there will be NO computers for our high school students.
The recent plan for the purchasing of high school computers has a requirement that the local taxpayers pay for a significant part of the computers. If we were to participate in this program in Cape Elizabeth, the cost would be $133,000 for each of the four years. With current fiscal budget levels addressing only the current needs, the purchase amount for 2009-2010 was not included. Since Cape Elizabeth is a low receiver of General Purpose Aid to Education (GPA), the amount available would have been less that $16,000 per year. Due to a minimum amount of IDEA stimulus money and the lack of Title One stimulus funds, this long term investment of one-on-one laptops was not feasible.
National research tells us that technology should be an integral part of day-to-day instruction offered by all staff in our schools. Recognizing that students who will be leaders of the 21st century must be able to use technology wisely as a part of their school program, our three (3) technology integrators, one in each school, will provide the support for each of our teachers to effectively utilize technology in classrooms and the real world. Although we don’t have one-to-one hardware at the high school, the work of these integrators will help open new doors that will make differences in the long term abiities of each and every Cape Elizabeth student now and in the future.
a) all seventh and eight grade students will receive new computer from the MLTI,
b) all teachers at the middle school and high school level will receive new laptops, but
c) there will be NO computers for our high school students.
The recent plan for the purchasing of high school computers has a requirement that the local taxpayers pay for a significant part of the computers. If we were to participate in this program in Cape Elizabeth, the cost would be $133,000 for each of the four years. With current fiscal budget levels addressing only the current needs, the purchase amount for 2009-2010 was not included. Since Cape Elizabeth is a low receiver of General Purpose Aid to Education (GPA), the amount available would have been less that $16,000 per year. Due to a minimum amount of IDEA stimulus money and the lack of Title One stimulus funds, this long term investment of one-on-one laptops was not feasible.
National research tells us that technology should be an integral part of day-to-day instruction offered by all staff in our schools. Recognizing that students who will be leaders of the 21st century must be able to use technology wisely as a part of their school program, our three (3) technology integrators, one in each school, will provide the support for each of our teachers to effectively utilize technology in classrooms and the real world. Although we don’t have one-to-one hardware at the high school, the work of these integrators will help open new doors that will make differences in the long term abiities of each and every Cape Elizabeth student now and in the future.
SWINE FLU INFORMATION
To Cape Elizabeth Families,
You have recently been seeing the reports regarding the swine flu (H1N1) and concerns about the future course of the disease. As we know, cases in Mexico are clearly of great concern and possible cases in several states in this country and in Canada are being monitored carefully. The following report comes from Augusta.
"At the present time, there have been no reported cases in Maine or the other New England states.The important thing to remember as we all return to school is where our staff and students have been during April vacation. Highest risk obviously is anyone traveling to Mexico last week. Also, it is important to watch students who may have visited relatives in California or Texas. It appears that this flu is spreading quickly and anywhere someone has traveled could be bringing this flu to Maine.
Regular flu prevention techniques are important. Please remind your students about proper respiratory hygiene (cough in sleeve, frequent hand washing and stay home if ill). It might be interesting also, to ask students today "what did you do on vacation??" I would like to know which students have visited Mexico or other states that might cause a concern, just to keep track, in the event there is any illness.
According to the CDC, the flu appears to be milder in the US than in Mexico. So far there have been no fatalities from this flu in the U.S. Dr. Dora Mills, Director of the Me CDC will be providing more information to school nurses as it becomes available and I will keep you all informed when I receive updates."
We will keep you updated as more documentable information becomes available.
TECHNOLOGY AS A TEACHING TOOL
What role should technology play in an ever quickly changing world of knowledge that surrounds us? As educational demands continue to expand in the beginning of the Twenty-First Century, we must relook at the foundation of our schools very differently. Curriculum, instruction and assessment must be accompanied by the tools necessary to open the world for our students.
The primary function of student use of computers today needs to expand to facilitate their learning experience. With that in mind we must remember that technology can provide the activities reflect a partial list of goals of the classroom.
On-line access from the classroom to review and research materials, and prepare reports and presentations that combine text, graphic sound, music, motion video, and still images. Interfaces to musical instruments provide flexible study of music. Computer-aided design and drafting tools as well as desktop publishing, and multimedia development tools provide design capacity to better illustrate their ideas. Students can utilize software for review, practice, simulation, and complex problem-solving. Computer interfaces in their science laboratories, allow students to develop instrumentation strategies assessing temperature, pressure, electrical, light, and sound measuring; frequency counters and scales; all linked to a graphic display with an immediate printed output.
Many of these types activities are present today in our classrooms. Consequently students should be engaged in learning utilizing these resources as a part of the learning process.
A vision of K-12 student today helps each of us, not born in this technology generation, to understand the changing picture of the process of learning.The Cape Elizabeth School System is preparing to move ahead with a well planned process to truly meet the needs of our students in their future work with technology.Gary Lanoie has also started a blog and together, we will be sharing important information with the community about the technology work ahead.
Cape Elizabeth High School Alumni Directory
Although much attention is given to budget this time of year, there are many other projects that are important as well. One such project is an alumni directory of students who have graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School. From all information we have, such a directory has never been compiled and printed for our alumni but the information included would be welcomed by many.
Although places like Facebook are available, a book that lists students and some brief information about them helps you to not only connect with peers but also with graduates who you have known but not seen over the years. A book like this truly becomes another document recording the history of a fine high school like Cape Elizabeth.
As a graduate of another high school and also of a college in Maine, I thoroughly enjoy returning to the alumni directories to find people who I have not seen or heard from in years. My wife and both daughters graduated from a high school nearby and their fairly new directory has been used over and over again as a reference point . . . and sometimes as a basis for memories of past experiences.
With that in mind, we have selected our initial group of individuals to provide the oversight for the initial work on the directory. They are Trish Brigham, Kathy Ray, and Karen Burke from the School Board, Jeff Shedd, Principal of Cape Elizabeth High School, Peter Cary and Christine Mackenzie from CEEF, and me. We hope that this working group will expand with interested graduates, past and present, and that this work will bring a true sense of joy and accomplishment.
The first official meeting is being planned for Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the Superintendent’s Office. The committee seeks your assistance. If you are a graduate or if you happen to have a list graduates from a specific class, please let us know by sending an email to ahawkins@cape.k12.me.us or calling me at 799-2217. Once the initial meetings are held, we hope that there will be a strong working committee to work closely with the publisher, Harris Connect. A form for submitting alumni information can be found on the High School web site, by following the alumni link http://www.cape.k12.me.us/alumni/alumniform.lasso#add.
Join us now to collect and record for posterity the alumni of Cape Elizabeth High School.
Alan H. Hawkins
Although places like Facebook are available, a book that lists students and some brief information about them helps you to not only connect with peers but also with graduates who you have known but not seen over the years. A book like this truly becomes another document recording the history of a fine high school like Cape Elizabeth.
As a graduate of another high school and also of a college in Maine, I thoroughly enjoy returning to the alumni directories to find people who I have not seen or heard from in years. My wife and both daughters graduated from a high school nearby and their fairly new directory has been used over and over again as a reference point . . . and sometimes as a basis for memories of past experiences.
With that in mind, we have selected our initial group of individuals to provide the oversight for the initial work on the directory. They are Trish Brigham, Kathy Ray, and Karen Burke from the School Board, Jeff Shedd, Principal of Cape Elizabeth High School, Peter Cary and Christine Mackenzie from CEEF, and me. We hope that this working group will expand with interested graduates, past and present, and that this work will bring a true sense of joy and accomplishment.
The first official meeting is being planned for Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the Superintendent’s Office. The committee seeks your assistance. If you are a graduate or if you happen to have a list graduates from a specific class, please let us know by sending an email to ahawkins@cape.k12.me.us or calling me at 799-2217. Once the initial meetings are held, we hope that there will be a strong working committee to work closely with the publisher, Harris Connect. A form for submitting alumni information can be found on the High School web site, by following the alumni link http://www.cape.k12.me.us/alumni/alumniform.lasso#add.
Join us now to collect and record for posterity the alumni of Cape Elizabeth High School.
Alan H. Hawkins
School Finance Meeting
Today the Cape Elizabeth School Board’s Finance Committee met to review the latest realignment of the Superintendent’s budget proposal. The initial process of developing such a budget document is always interesting because that document has to be completed prior to the second week in January to ensure it can be ready as a full document prior to the School Board’s regular February meeting. Since revenue amounts including General Purpose Aid to Education, and health insurance cost increases are not known until March or April, estimates must be utilized.
Moving to a health insurance plan based on current cost estimates, we had to begin with a 20% increase in costs. A week ago, we heard that the costs would be between 6-10% so, on Thursday, February 26, we were able to move $163,000 out of the health insurance account. Then, the stimulus package from the federal government made it possible for state government to offset the 2009 curtailment returning $421,000 to the school and town budgets along with a plan to avoid such curtailments for two years. That allowed $421,000 back into our FY10 budget plan. The purchase of heating oil was much lower than predicted, allowing a fairly large savings, and the diesel oil contract also meant a change in those revenues. So, during this current week, we have again calculated our school budget sheet for 2009-2010 and dropped our local property tax increase significantly. My understanding is that I may have another possible decrease next week.
With all of this in mind, the District Leadership Team (DLT) and I worked on an alternative revision to the initial budget. This budget plan addresses specific needs based on our Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment work, data driven decision-making, and technology-focused instruction resulting from the goals of the School Board. Those documents are attached and provide detail on each phase of this adjustment. The realigned plan was presented to the School Board’s Finance Committee today and will be on the agenda for the regular School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.
An opportunity is also provided for your comments on this site.
Alan H. Hawkins,
Superintendent of Schools
Moving to a health insurance plan based on current cost estimates, we had to begin with a 20% increase in costs. A week ago, we heard that the costs would be between 6-10% so, on Thursday, February 26, we were able to move $163,000 out of the health insurance account. Then, the stimulus package from the federal government made it possible for state government to offset the 2009 curtailment returning $421,000 to the school and town budgets along with a plan to avoid such curtailments for two years. That allowed $421,000 back into our FY10 budget plan. The purchase of heating oil was much lower than predicted, allowing a fairly large savings, and the diesel oil contract also meant a change in those revenues. So, during this current week, we have again calculated our school budget sheet for 2009-2010 and dropped our local property tax increase significantly. My understanding is that I may have another possible decrease next week.
With all of this in mind, the District Leadership Team (DLT) and I worked on an alternative revision to the initial budget. This budget plan addresses specific needs based on our Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment work, data driven decision-making, and technology-focused instruction resulting from the goals of the School Board. Those documents are attached and provide detail on each phase of this adjustment. The realigned plan was presented to the School Board’s Finance Committee today and will be on the agenda for the regular School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.
An opportunity is also provided for your comments on this site.
Alan H. Hawkins,
Superintendent of Schools
School Board Budget Workshop 3
This is the last of three public workshops on the the Superintendent's 2009-2010 budget.
School Board Budget Workshop 2
This is the second of three public workshops on the the Superintendent's 2009-2010 budget.
Welcome
Each day brings something new. Remembering the amount of work that was necessary just a few years ago to get current messages to the public, today I learned an entirely new format for sharing information. Perhaps I need to modify that statement; this information devise known as a BLOG is not brand new but it is new TO ME! Thanks to Jason Lund from the technology department I am writing my first BLOG entry.
A week ago Friday the Superintendent’s site opened with an online video of the first budget workshop. When the school system considers transparency as a part of our commitment to the public, this is a next step in trying to make such items easily available. If you are interested, take some time to sit back to listen and learn about the initial presentations regarding the Superintendent’s Budget proposal.
Another first step for me in this process is the opening of
the COMMENTS feature. You can go to any posting and immediately comment on
anything you have just seen or read, or make comments about the process and our
schools. So that you do understand, all responses will first be reviewed to
ensure that the language is appropriate.
This first step is an important one. In the coming days, I
will begin to provide frequent blogs that will deal with various aspects of our
school and our community. In the future, I hope to be able to offer a series of
online video programs that focus on our schools.
Yours truly,
Alan H. Hawkins
School Board Budget Workshop 1
This is the first of three public workshops on the the Superintendent's 2009-2010 budget.
