Dr. Chris Belcher, Superintendent Michelle Baumstark, Community Relations Coordinator Columbia Public Schools

Deep funding cuts for schools in state budget Michigan School funding cuts to hit in January Indiana All school districts freeze teacher salaries Ohio Class size in city schools rises New York School district cuts athletics Arkansas School district cuts all sports programs California Music programs face cuts Minnesota Budget plan cuts books and school staff Virginia

School district budget reduced by $3 million Liberty Budget cut talks begin, officials talk tax hike Lindbergh High school teachers to teach 6 of 7 periods Lee’s Summit Vo-tech teacher extended days reduced by 50% Fort Osage District cuts $18 million from budget St. Louis Public schools ask teachers to take pay cut St. Louis SROs cut due to school budget cuts Troy School budget cuts unpopular but crucial Kansas City

Schools face budget knife, job cutbacks Columbia Daily Tribune Schools detail possible cuts Columbia Daily Tribune Schools set to balance budget Columbia Daily Tribune Board cuts $5.2 million from budget Columbia Daily Tribune District is mulling cuts, Belcher tells faculty Columbia Daily Tribune Schools consider cutting back on SROs Columbia Daily Tribune Budget cuts hit model program Columbia Daily Tribune Schools’ revenue crunch stirs talk of cuts Columbia Daily Tribune

 Three straight years of budget cuts  Cuts to date total nearly $18 million  Reduced more than 220 FTE  Frozen salaries  Difficult internal & external climate

 Increase awareness among stakeholders  Involve stakeholders in the decision-making process  Communicate facts to stakeholders  Develop key messages

 Focus on existing & future program qualities  Maintain the value and reputation of the district  Have a plan and be strategic

Implementing Lessons Learned

 Increase awareness among stakeholders o Take advantage of opportunities to communicate o Use a mixture of communications tools to reach multiple audiences o Never under estimate the power of face-to-face meetings o Don’t forget to communicate internally first

 Take advantage of opportunities to communicate o Board of Education Meetings o Special Forums o Committee Meetings o Media Coverage/News Releases o Existing Publications i.e. print, electronic, video

 Use a mixture of communications tools to reach multiple audiences o Print o Electronic o Video o Social Media o Face-to-Face

 Never under estimate the power of face-to-face meetings o Committee Meetings o Speaking Engagements o World Café o Bond Issue Election

 Don’t forget to communicate internally first o Internal Web site o Special Meetings with Internal Stakeholders o Belcher V-Log

 Belcher V-Log

 Involve stakeholders in the decision-making process o Establishment of Board Finance Committee o Board of Education Meetings o Employee Advisory Councils o Input from Administrators/Coordinators o Community Input/Engagement

 Communicate facts to stakeholders o Be honest o Be transparent o Communicate early and often

 What are you doing  Why are you doing it  How will you do it  When will it happen

Equity EfficiencyReorganization

 Focus on existing & future program qualities o Don’t forget the good things about your district o Mission, Vision and Goals o Budget parameters map the course for planning

 Budget Parameters o Operate salary schedules, including educational credit o Maintain benefits plan o Support district portion of career ladder funding o Build year-end balances to a minimum of 20 percent for

 Maintain the value and reputation of the district o Maintain trust o Use credible and trusted spokespeople o Speak for the heart and the head o Respond to rumors o Own your problems o Continue to share the good news

 Have a plan and be strategic o Start early o Learn from mistakes o Use your resources o Involve stakeholders o Evaluate results

o Climate improving o Positive feedback o Still a great school district!

Contact Us: Dr. Chris Belcher, Superintendent Columbia Public Schools (573) Michelle Baumstark, Community Relations Coordinator Columbia Public Schools (573) Access Presentation Information: More Information…