Video Blog – January 2012

Manheim Central’s budget process for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year is well under way. Dr. Clark discusses the Act 1 Preliminary Budget process and the results of our audit as conducted by Trout, Ebersole, & Groff, LLP. The documentation described in this month’s blog can be found here:

1. Act 1 Preliminary Budget Presentation.
2. Audit Results Presentation.

Video Blog – December 2011

In this month’s video update, Dr. Clark discusses Manheim Central’s participation in the Pennsylvania Hybrid Learning Initiative. If you would like to learn more about the models described by Dr. Clark, please feel free to view this presentation, as shown to the Manheim Central Board of School Directors.

Video Blog – November 2011

Video Blog – October 2011

This month’s entry speaks to the monitoring of Assessment Appeals within the district and the potential impact on finances.

Video Blog – September 2011

Referenced in the video blog post above are two key documents presented this month to the Business Operations Committee of the Manheim Central School Board.

1. The first document is a PowerPoint by EI Associates regarding a Feasibility Study of the entire district.
2. The second document is a proposed timeline for carrying out this study.

Community Forum Questions/Answers

Community Forum – Fiscal Reality
April 5, 2011

1. What options are available for Manheim Central School District on charter schools? Can Manheim Central School District offer this and save costs?
   At this point in time, the district is working with IU 13 to create a Virtual Learning Network. The idea is to offer a Manheim diploma for students enrolling in this program. The savings garnered by the district by using this program would be hard to determine. The district believes that out of district placements in cyber schools may level off which would make the cost of running the Virtual Learning Network cheaper than paying the cyber charter rates.
2. Enrollment size increase yearly average?
   From 2009-10 to 2010-11 school year the student population dropped .002% (five students).
3. How much is the new phone system costing? Do we pay a lump sum regardless of calls made or do we pay by the call?
   We pay a set price for the digital PRI lines that are connected to the phone system. Long distance calls are billed by the call.
4. What does this district have in reserves ($)? Explain.
   Current Fund Balance is: 3,797,139. Breaking the numbers down: 1,000,000 is designated for future PSER’s contributions and $300,000 is the from the settlement on the High School Floor.
5. What is the main reason for kids going to cyber school?
   Have not surveyed students enrolling but the option is a parental choice.
6. How will the “students’ needs” be defined or determined for non-core academic classes?
   This follows guiding principles:
   1. Manheim Central School District will adhere to all federal and state mandates
   2. District priorities will always support core academic subjects (Math, Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies)
   3. We will provide evidence-based interventions in the areas of literacy and math for targeted students at every grade level.
   4. Resources will be allocated to those non-core academic/electives that meet the need of the largest number of students.
   5. Collaborative solutions with other educational entities will be researched and, when feasible, implemented before elimination of any student programs.
   6. We will offer co-curricular activities for all students in a more efficient and cost effective manner.
   7. We will create learning environments that better prepare students with 21st century skills (literacy, research, etc.) by:
      • Increasing technology resources for staff and students.
      • Providing on-going staff development.
   8. We will create and maintain physical learning environments (facilities) that are cost effective with attention to the environmental impact.
7. If the state has approved an exception for a larger Act 1 index for this year, why would the board not take advantage of this, especially if they fear losing that right next year?
   Due the fact that the increase would be passed onto the local taxpayers and the feeling that local tax payers do not want this burden passed along to them.
8. Who is hired for professional development? Can people from within the district be utilized for this? National Board Teachers?
   The district has used the IU professional development staff in the past and also an expert in the field of Safe Schools, Don Smith, to deliver the Safe School Presentation. Penn State professors are currently consulting and will deliver PD. Yes, absolutely staff can be used to deliver PD. It has been a challenge to get volunteers. We had a few last year and this year to give PD. These staff members were IFs. The district has worked with individuals from the IU who have provided various aspects of staff development. A new approach is to introduce concepts to the instructional facilitators (IF’s) and have them share out the information with staff. National Board Teachers is a certification process more than a professional development approach that can be passed along to a fellow teacher.
9. If the district were to cut teachers in “non-core” areas what effect would it have on the “core” class sizes? How will class size be considered?
   Not sure it would impact class size for core subjects. The district has reviewed the class size guidelines that other districts have in place to determine an appropriate limit. Each district within the IU seems to be revisiting class size limits due to budget constraints.
10. See large bus bringing students from Vo-Tech (Willow Street?) with 6 students……why not use smaller bus?
    The district has looked into multiple approaches and the current option is cheaper than renting a van.
11. Why was a teacher added at Burgard while there is a class at the Middle School with 35 Pre-Algebra students?
    Research supporting the Accountability Block Grant (ABG) states that class size from K-3 is a critical time for child development. The Board felt so strong about this fact that ABG funds were directed from the state to allow for decreased class size. No such funding exists for Middle School.
12. Why is the Board having so many more retreats than previous boards? Extra money spent (food, dinners, etc.)
    The board has held various retreats to establish a new mission and vision for the district due to the large turnover in both board members and leadership team administration. These retreats are held at a local off-campus site or at the District Office conference room. Since most board members arrive straight from work, a light meal may be served if needed.
13. Why was a raise granted in July 2010 for Administrators who were recently hired?
    Not all of the Leadership team received a raise in 2010 depending upon date of hire.
14. Instead of cutting languages, could you combine them like in Dr. Clark’s examples of combining Spanish 3 & 4 to make a larger class?
    This approach has been used with various higher level language courses. The Chinese classes were cut due a decrease in enrollment and a certification problem.
15. Look at transportation.
    The district, along with other districts in the IU, has developed a plan to look at transportation costs. One of the issues for Manheim was the number of non-public students who require transportation.
16. Cut middle school sports.
    The PIAA is looking into this possibility. Currently the number of games has been cut back to reduce costs.
17. High School students that participate in sports should have the option to be exempted from taking 4-9 week physical education courses – with one physical education teacher retiring this year it would be easier to implement something like this – it would also free up schedules for more academic courses.
    This idea has been looked into by several districts in the IU. There are some changes that would need to be made to curriculum requirements. Some districts that have implemented this approach have encountered problems with students participating in extra-curricular activities asking for similar treatment.
18. My son has a class at the high school with no textbooks – where does the money for textbooks come from? How can you support a class without books?
    Textbooks do not drive a class but provide an enhancement for a class. If a class is short or without textbooks, the teacher should inform the building principal so the issue can be addressed. The district has a policy on textbook adoption which would be followed prior to implementation of a new course.
19. Pay freeze for teachers and staff.
    Administration and support staff have taken a voluntary pay freeze for the 2011-12 school year.
20. Reduce pay for coaches and other extra-curricular paid activities – what happened to volunteers?
    The coaches and extra-curricular positions are outlined in the contract with respect to pay rate and number of positions. The district has the discretion as to whether all positions are filled on annual basis.
21. Review the value of some classes such as Ag., Tech. Ed., FCS. Need Music, Art & Phys. Ed. more.
    This was done by looking at resignations that were received in various positions during the second semester of the 2010-11 school year.
22. Cut back on number of sports matches and practices.
    This approach has been established with the middle school program for the 2011-12 school year.
23. Evaluate language programs at the middle school level and the value if it doesn’t count towards state requirement.
    This has been done with the elimination of the Introduction to Chinese course.
24. Remove reimbursement for charter schools – push legislation changes.
    This is a constant issue that is brought to the attention of local legislators. Governor Corbett, in his budget, removed a small percentage of reimbursement that the schools received from the state.
25. When comparing programs/staff 30 years ago then look at what is in place today, times are different but what is in place today that would be considered “extra fat” and not needed. Looking at all sports and extra-curricular activities that are costly and not needed. Do these activities only service a few? Review your supplies, nothing is too small to check out.
    Programs and offerings have changed over the years due to social issues as well as state requirements (Reference Guiding Principles in Question 6). Principals have reviewed supplies in the supply closet before making purchase request for the 2011-12 budget.
26. Question the value of the National Board Teacher Certification.
    National Board Teacher Certification is part of the teacher contract. Any individual is able to visit the National Board Teacher Certification web-site where they can see statements and research for the value of the certification.
27. Consolidate bus stops.
    Cost savings in transportation is made on the number of miles on a bus run not the number of bus stops.
28. Do you buy healthcare with other districts?
    The district is currently self-insured, and maintains cost savings through a consortium with other districts.
29. Year round school – stay with 185 days. 6 weeks in school – 2 weeks off. Benefit kids to be more motivated throughout the year – classrooms in use all year.
    This concept has been reviewed and implemented in some states. The state as a whole would have to make move to this schedule due to extra-curricular activities as well as seniors entering college on early admissions.
30. Do we really need a resource officer at the Middle School?
    School Resource Officer positions are under review.
31. Solar panel electric panels to reduce electric costs and sell back to PP.
    The district is looking into the possibility of solar farm on the Geib farm.
32. Upgrade heating systems to natural gas vs. oil.
    We can burn Natural Gas or Oil at all our school buildings. We burn Natural Gas at all the buildings for heating and domestic hot water. We need to get off of natural gas at 9 degrees and burn oil. This enables us to get better rates.

Video Blog – April 2011