Clarifying the facts

As we get under way with the budget development process in the face of difficult economic times, it is essential that we provide accurate and up-to-date information, especially with looming budget decisions that will impact people’s lives. Thus, I was very disappointed Thursday morning when I picked up the News-Leader and saw an individual spreading misinformation and manipulating numbers to create a false impression of our schools.

As you may have noticed the News-Leader’s opinion page requires frequent corrections from our staff and Board. Let me clear up the two misleading examples used yesterday to imply something nefarious about the district.

• Increases to SPS’ debt service levy must be approved by voters. The district’s debt service payment for 2009-2010 included $30 million from an escrow account that paid off the 2000 bond issue, which was refinanced in 2003 at a significantly lower interest rate, resulting in a significant savings of taxpayer money. That bond debt was retired during the 2009-2010 budget year because that was the earliest date we were legally allowed to pay off the 2000 bond. As you know, those bonds were approved by voters who have made upgrading the physical condition of our schools a top priority.

• It’s simply not true that the district’s administrative expenses have increased from $425,000 in 2005 to $2.5 million in 2009-2010. When the district upgraded its accounting software in 2006, the finance department reviewed all general ledger accounts to ensure they were classified as recommended by the Missouri State Accounting Manual. A number of accounts were reclassified under "Executive Administration,” including administrative services DESE requires districts to have. Our district strives for an effective and efficient use of resources. As a result SPS’ ratio of 279 students per administrator is far below the state average of 187 students per administrator.

It’s unfortunate that Mr. Gargus declined my invitation last September to sit down and discuss his concerns. That might have cleared up some of the misunderstandings he has about our district’s finances.

Developing a budget and responding to difficult economic times is not as simple as laying off more than 150 district employees (representing $8 million), as Mr. Gargus suggests. We cut more than $6 million from the current year’s budget, which included personnel reductions, facility maintenance and improvements, professional development and curriculum.

As we consider the various scenarios for the 2010-2011 budget, let me make it clear that we will seek options that have as little impact as possible on the quality of education that we provide. This will certainly mean some tough decisions, and we very well may have to have a conversation about the operating levy in future years if state cuts impact the core quality of our teachers and schools.

I strongly support the right for community stakeholders to express their opinion. I also know that not everyone has a favorable view of what we do, especially when it comes to talking about taxes in the midst of this economic climate. However, when the News-Leader continues to print inaccurate information we will come directly to the community with the facts, allowing them to draw their own conclusions.

I encourage you to stay informed about the budget process with our financial blog, The Bottom Line, and don’t hesitate to provide your feedback or ask questions you may have regarding this issue.

Keeping you informed and asking for feedback in the budget development process

One of my priorities during the budget development process is to keep the community informed with accurate information as well as giving SPS staff, parents and all stakeholders the opportunity to provide input. As you well know, the state of the economy makes the budgeting process for 2010-2011 particularly difficult.

The short video below is intended to provide you with a look at the district’s revenue situation for the current and upcoming years and an overview of the budget development process. I encourage you to take a moment out of your day to watch it.



I also want to encourage you to ask any questions you may have regarding the budget, revenue, etc. Feel free to leave a comment or question here on the blog. Please note, that comments may not appear instantly because we do have to guard against spam, unfortunately, but your comments will be posted and we do respond. I would also encourage you to use our other channels to stay informed and communicate your questions and concerns to us, including Facebook, Twitter and our e-newsletter. Later in the spring, we'll be reaching out to stakeholders for additional input to further clarify the final budget for 2010-2011.

Keep up with the latest news and information about the district’s budget and financial picture on our finance blog, The Bottom Line.

Thoughts about SPS' revenue, budget and the levy

District CFO Steve Chodes and board finance committee members Dr. Tom Prater and Jean Twitty held a conference call with local media outlets on Tuesday, Feb. 16 to discuss district revenue projections, the budget process for the upcoming year and the outlook for SPS’ funding picture.

Naturally, the question of a possible increase to the district’s operating levy was raised. Sensitive to the difficult economic times, Dr. Prater reiterated that the district has no plans to ask voters to support a levy increase this year in the face of difficult economic times. SPS will be looking at cuts to the 2010-2011 budget in the face of decreases to the usual revenue SPS receives from the state, whether through sales taxes, the foundation formula or categorical items such as transportation.

The possibility of a levy in 2011 or beyond was mentioned on the call. However, it was mentioned in light of the state’s budget situation in 2011-2012, when stimulus money currently being used to prop up the state’s budget shortfalls expires. This could drastically impact district revenues at the state level. We hope that the economy turns around by that point. However, if the state budget situation is still as dire, we will need to have a community-wide conversation about the operating levy. I know this community places a high priority on keeping good teachers in the classroom, keeping class sizes manageable and preparing our students for success in college and the workplace. That part was left out of the newspaper’s story.

Dr. Prater also made an important call to action during the discussion of the levy and state funding, encouraging parents and all voters concerned about education to contact their legislator and ask that they make every effort possible to preserve education funding (that statement comes at the 28:14 mark of the call).

Listen to the conference call in its entirety.

Pershing students collect 1,197 pairs of jeans

Middle school students at Pershing collected 1,197 pairs of jeans for the PTA Clothing Bank over the last two weeks. Students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades divided into two teams per grade. The winning team, the seventh grade PRIDE team, collected more than 500 pairs of jeans, and will be treated to Andy’s Frozen Custard as a reward.

The contest was initiated and supported by Pershing’s PTA. Jeans have been identified as one of the biggest clothing needs at the PTA Clothing Bank, which provides clothing for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. For more information about the clothing bank talk to the principal, nurse, counselor or secretary at your school; they can provide families with referrals and other necessary information. The Kiwanis Shoe bank is located in the same building as the PTA Clothing Bank, 501 W Central.

Congratulations to the students at Pershing for their generosity on behalf of their peers across the district. I know these kinds of efforts are happening in all of our district schools, and it’s encouraging that we live in a community that values giving back to their neighbors.

Thanking Earl Newman for his service to Springfield's kids

At today’s School Crossing Protection Committee meeting, Springfield Council of PTAs presented Earl Newman, a city traffic engineer and tireless voice for student safety, with the National PTA Life Achievement Award.

I want to personally congratulate Mr. Newman for his more than 30 years of service, working with parents, the city and our schools on behalf the Springfield children. The School Crossing Protection Committee is a collaborative effort between parents, schools, city, state and county officials that develops policies and procedures for a comprehensive, uniform school crossing protection program across our school district. With more than 50 schools in a community that’s experienced tremendous growth, that’s no easy task. Mr. Newman’s expertise has facilitated tens of thousands of students safely getting to school and back home again.

Please join me in thanking and congratulating Earl Newman.

Recognizing student efforts for Haiti

Today, I had the opportunity to recognize the generosity and compassion of students, families and school staff members from our district and across the state for their efforts behalf of the devastated nation of Haiti.

I joined Governor Nixon, representatives from Convoy of Hope and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at Bowerman Elementary to kickoff the statewide collection of Kits 4 Kids, a Haiti relief project coordinated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Springfield-based Convoy of Hope.

Springfield Public Schools students have raised more than $15,000 in donations and collected almost 1,200 Kits 4 Kids. And that is not a final count! Many schools are continuing their efforts. One principal shared heart-warming stories of students who are donating money they earned by doing chores. One even contributed money received for making good grades.

Glendale High School alone has assembled more than 500 Kits 4 Kids. Two of our schools, Rountree Elementary School and Cherokee Middle School, have raised more than $3,000 each.

I’d like to thank representatives of Convoy of Hope and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for organizing the Kits 4 Kids effort. I also want to thank Gov. Jay Nixon for shining a light on this important effort and for recognizing the significant impact that schoolchildren can make in the lives of others.

Springfield selected for Kennedy Center "Any Given Child" program

Tonight, I’ll be sharing some exciting news with the Board of Education at their February study session: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has selected Springfield to participate in their Any Given Child program. This program assesses our district’s existing resources along with those of Springfield’s public and private arts organizations to develop a comprehensive arts education plan for the children of Springfield.

Any Given Child seeks to bring access, balance, and equity to each child’s arts education, using an affordable model that combines the resources of the school district, local arts groups, and the Kennedy Center. With the assistance of expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a long-range plan for arts education that is tailor-made for the Springfield school district and community.

The arts offer kids the opportunity to enrich their lives and enhance their educational experience. Studies have shown that involvement in the arts can help children increase their overall academic achievement. The expertise available through Any Given Child will be invaluable to our district and our entire community as we work toward the goal of enhancing arts education offerings throughout our community.

Springfield is fortunate to have such an active and vibrant arts community, especially since our arts organizations have made educational outreach one of their chief priorities. Those organizations and the district collaborated closely to make the Any Given Child program a possibility in our community. I want to thank the Arts Programming Sustainability Initiative, Springfield Regional Arts Council, City of Springfield and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce for their role in making this happen.