Lakewood Schools Community Value, Quality and Accountability

Proven results in tough times  Rated “Excellent” by the State in 2009 after years of consistent improvement  Phases I and II of the facilities improvement plan: on-time, on- budget Better schools already serving our students

 Steady improvement every year, culminating in “Excellent” rating in  Our state Value-Added scores show Lakewood students achieved more than one year of growth in academic achievement for each of the past two school years. High-Quality Education

REAL Accountability  We promised to make our last operating levy last three years.  That was in 2002 – we’ve made it last eight years.  The Lakewood Treasurer has been recognized as an Outstanding Treasurer/CFO of the Year by the Foundation of School Business Management.  We have had the Highest Auditor of the State Audit Designations for past twelve consecutive years.

Fiscal responsibility to meet economic conditions  In the last year, Lakewood Schools have lost $1.2 million in property tax revenue and $1 million in state funding.  We’ve made significant cuts to keep pace. Between 2004 and 2009: cut more than $5 million Spring 2009: cut $1.3 million Fall 2009: cut $1.6 million  That’s a total impact of more than $9 million while achieving an EXCELLENT rating.

Continuing to seek savings  All bargaining units – teachers, administrators, OAPSE – agreed to NO base salary increases in the next year.  Our leadership in the Suburban Health Insurance Consortium resulted in a 0% increase in health insurance costs for the district for school year and an average annual increase of 4.56% over the past eight years.  Continuous efforts to control expenditures resulted in a 26% reduction in property and casualty insurance premiums for the school year.

 Huge cuts can’t keep pace with even bigger losses from: Decreased local property taxes Significant cuts from the State  It would take 2.5 extra mills just to make up for what we’ve lost in the last year.  It would take a 12.9 mill levy to fully fund current operations.  WE KNOW THAT OUR COMMUNITY CAN’T SHOULDER THAT AMOUNT IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY. Where we stand right now

 Lakewood Schools needs to pass an operating levy in May.  This issue will be as small as possible to maintain achievement and keep our schools strong.  It won’t solve all fiscal problems. Even if the May issue passes, we will still make cuts to keep our budget in line. We are preparing for those cuts now and will announce them likely in March and April to give personnel as much time to prepare as possible. Balancing what we need and what the community can provide

Lakewood Operating Issue  6.9 mills on the May 4 th, 2010 ballot  Will cost about $18 more per month per $100,000 of home value.  ALL issue funds will go toward classroom instruction and operating costs. NONE will go towards school building construction. ?

Lakewood needs this operating issue  Passing this issue will protect the high achievement our community requires.  This issue isn’t enough to fully cover all expenses but it’s the minimum necessary to avoid catastrophic cuts.

Without this issue, education suffers  Our Lakewood Schools budget for this school year is $69.9 M.  During the and school years, our schools have cut the budget by $3.9 M.  If this levy passes, we will need to make additional cuts - $4.4 M.  This levy will produce $6.2 M in school revenue each year.  Without this income, our budget cuts would be catastrophic to our ability to provide programs for students and to continue to be “Excellent.”

Crucial support for our schools  Without this operating issue, the District will have to cut $2 M from our annual budget and return to the ballot for a larger levy within a year.  Those cuts would harm classroom education and significantly impact our ability to provide an excellent education.  This issue is the only way to protect high quality, accountability and community value.