Your $11 Million Investment What the expiration of the 2007 levy would mean for our schools

Purpose of Meeting Discuss the process for decision making Understand the history and purpose of the 2007 levy Share the impact of the potential loss of revenue Collect input from you

Four Key Decision Making Steps Current Levy Investment $11M Understand how existing funds are being used Identify what would be lost if levy is not renewed

Four Key Decision Making Steps Current Levy Investment $11M Strategic Five Year Plan Support and plan for the need of different student learning styles Help each student identify and pursue their passions Build a bridge to each students’ future Partner with the community Having the best teacher in every classroom

Four Key Decision Making Steps Current Levy Investment $11M Control accessibility to buildings and classrooms Increase emergency response Support students’ psychological well- being Strategic Five Year Plan Safety Needs

Four Key Decision Making Steps Current Levy Investment 11M Identifying needed resources, i.e. classroom materials, learning devices, media support, etc. Ensuring equity among schools Strategic Five Year Plan Safety Needs Learning Needs

*Over 90% of Minnesota school districts have levies in place.

Reasons We Need A Renewal A lot has changed since November 2007: Flat state funding/revenue Increased costs More unfunded mandates More student and family needs History of State Funding Fiscal Year Formula Per Pupil% Increase 2006$4, $4, $5, $5, $5, $5, $5, $5,2241 = $4 to $6 million funding shortfall each year

State has capped local levies at $1,604 per pupil *State-authorized alternative levy cap School District2012 Operating Levy $ per pupil Minnetonka$1,950* Edina$1,887* Hopkins$1,755* Wayzata$1,680* Roseville$1,575 Mounds View$1,522 White Bear Lake$1,484 Burnsville$1,476 Average$1, Hastings$1,300 Eden Prairie$1,200 Mahtomedi$1,100 Stillwater$ South Washington County$929 North St. Paul-Maplewood- Oakdale $833 Forest Lake$725 Operating Levy

Budget cuts totaling $22.4 million Additional $11-$17 million budget adjustments necessary if levy is not renewed in 2014

Budget Reductions = $6.4 million Spring 2012 and Fall 2012 Decreased two days from calendar Changed school hours Reduced shuttle buses Increased fees Delayed curriculum purchase Delayed technology purchases Sell advertising space in schools/grounds Reduced staff – Teaching staff – Support staff – Administration/Central Services staff – Custodial – Paraprofessionals Hiring freeze One-time fund balance transfers What would $11 million look like?

Without A Levy Renewal Beginning in school year: Loss of $11 million in revenue Additional $4-6 million annual shortfall Total reduction of $15-17 million (approximately 20 percent)

Solutions To Our Budget Challenges Increase Efficiency Focus on Sustainability Re-allocation of Resources  Increase Support at State Level  Levy Request  All of the above

Reflection: Turn and Talk (Two Minutes) What are your general reactions to the information shared to this point?

Current $11 Million Investment The Process: 11 Cost Center teams Representing all areas of district budget, such as: – Elementary schools – Junior Highs – High School – Central Services – Transportation – Operations Made up of staff with parent representation (over 65 people) Feedback from stakeholders The Charge: Clarify how the $11 million is currently being used Develop a list of potential adjustments that would need to be made if levy is not renewed The Cost Center Process

= $11 Million Investment =68% of investment Class Size Student Programming Learning Interventions Class Size Student Programming Learning Interventions

Be Thinking About… What things on the list are of greatest concern to you? What things do you believe are missing from this list? What things do you believe should remain on this list?

Class Size (32%) Increase elementary class sizes by 3 students Increase junior high and high school class sizes by 5-10 students – In reality, because of class scheduling, this could mean as many as 12 additional students per class Result: Eliminate as many as 50 teaching positions Additional teacher cuts included in other categories

Student Programming (24%) Reduce support for kindergarten program (currently all day, free; state only funds half day) Restructure or close an elementary school Shorten media, vocal music, and physical education times at the elementary schools Decrease resources for gifted and talented program Reduce elective courses at junior highs and high school Eliminate elementary band/orchestra (grade 5-6) Result: Cut approximately five teachers

Learning Interventions (12%) Eliminate as many as 25 student support positions, including: – Paraprofessionals – Reading specialists – Special Education teachers – Building administrators – Counselors – Nurses – Clerical staff Reduce reading and math support for struggling students

Facilities/Operations (8%) Reduce cleaning and supply budgets Close Oak-Land Junior High pool Increase rental costs of district facilities, and decrease availability of facilities to public Eliminate as many as 15 custodians and groundskeepers

Learning Environments (6%) Reduce the instructional time students are in school (i.e. less student days or four day school week) Decrease daytime building temperatures

Curriculum and Instruction (6%) Decrease budget for new initiatives Decrease budget for curriculum Reduce support staff Delay technology replacement cycle

General Administrative Services (5%) Reduce services, equipment, and other business functions of the district – Auditing – Communications – Professional memberships – Training opportunities – Hiring

Student Transportation (3%) Reduce transportation service to the state minimum (All elementary, secondary for public and nonpublic schools) – No transportation for all students living within two miles of their school – Earlier bus pick up times and later drop off times for all students – No special consideration for hazardous conditions (i.e. highways, railroad tracks, etc.) or fee for service options Eliminate transportation to St. Croix Valley Area Learning Center

Co-Curricular (3%) Eliminate funding for 7-8 th grade sports Eliminate some junior high and high school clubs Increase activity fees ($70 or more per sport) Increase ticket prices to attend high school concerts Eliminate athletic equipment budgets for all sports (made up through fundraising/booster clubs)

Security (2%) Eliminate contracts for school resource officers at both junior high schools Eliminate contract for private security at Stillwater Area High School NOTE:  Staff would be assigned supervision duties  Board is currently considering other building safety measures (ie. entrance access, etc.)

Supplies and Materials (1%) Reduce classroom and office resources – Printing – Copying – Supplies – Materials

Professional Development (Less than 1%) Reduce professional development and training opportunities for all staff Reduce and/or eliminate consulting services and external training Reduce dues and memberships

= $11 Million Investment =68% of investment Class Size Student Programming Learning Interventions Class Size Student Programming Learning Interventions

What’s at Stake if Levy Expires More students per class – Fewer teachers – Higher class sizes – Fewer school buildings Less time students are in school – Fewer school days Fewer opportunities for students – Less support for struggling students – Fewer elective classes – Fewer activities Less care/maintenance of schools – Cleanliness decreased – Pool closure – Delayed repairs More expenses for families – Higher activity fees – Fees for kindergarten

Your Feedback What things on the list are of greatest concern to you? What things do you believe are missing from this list? What things do you believe should remain on this list?

Making Levy Decisions Current Levy Investment 11M Levy Request School Board Decision Strategic 5 Year Plan Safety Needs Learning Needs

Next Steps: School board considers budget cut list – Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m., Central Services Community Town Hall Meetings – Feb. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Oak-Land – Feb. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Stillwater Junior High Special school board meeting – All day Saturday, March 2 School board to approve budget cut list – March 7 at 7 p.m., Stillwater City Hall School board to make levy decision – April 11 at 7 p.m., Stillwater City Hall Invite your friends and neighbors, whether they have kids or not!

Thank You!