Dr. Timothy Mitchell Rapid City Area Schools

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” I believe in “possibility”-specifically the possibility that we could can create the best of times if we choose If we are willing to think carefully-be motivated as to what is best for children-have open honest and factual dialogue about the issues we are facing

“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”

 Governor’s Proposed Budget is a positive given the limited resources  Funded Formula ($ %)-Gave additional one-time money ($ %)  Per Student Allocation Increase $ %  SD Investing in Teachers-8.4 Million 1.5%  Common Core/STEM/Career Development  Common Core/Evaluation

 Still a need to address Deficit  Released list of 40 ideas  Fiscally Responsible/Committed to Mission  Working to complete recommendation for 4.5 million GF Reduction Plan  Packaged w/Instructional Calendar Proposal

What must we have to provide a high quality education for all students of the RCAS?

Key-Act responsibly and inspire confidence without compromising authority

 To become as Effective and Efficient as possible  To become as Innovative and Creative as possible  To guide a conversation to the determine the expectations for public schools-support ways to meet those expectations

Visible Learning synthesized the results of more than 15 years of research involving millions of students and it represents the biggest collection of evidenced-based research into what actually works in schools to improve learning.

One of the fascinating outcomes of research on school effects is the number of issues in education where achievement evidence is close to zero but the heat is as high as it is as if it would be if the policy were obviously effective.

Significant finding: The most successful schools function as a professional learning community: Teachers pursue a clear shared purpose Engage in collaborative work Take collective responsibility for student learning

We expect our students to learn, and we work to fulfill our collective responsibility to ensure that this learning takes place for all students

The best way to improve a school or district is by developing the people within it!!

A regularly scheduled early release time district-wide to enhance student learning by allowing teachers time to plan as teams, create common formative assessments and learning targets, do data charts to monitor student progress, create enrichment lessons and move forward any future district initiatives

 Reduction of Additional Pay and Temporary Staffing  Additional Time to implement district priorities  Transportation Savings  Less Substitutes and Higher Quality Contact Time  All staff could be involved with implementation  Improves the learning of all students  Builds collective capacity of the staff

*Will student number continue to increase? *Will current cash balances remain stable? *Compensation/Benefits/Negotiations? *What will happen in the Legislative Session? *What will happen at the Federal level? *Will the efforts of SD Moving Forward be successful (Sales Tax Initiative)?

I will continue to review ideas that come forward Put together a Budget Reduction Plan to discuss with School Board and Public Attrition/Resignations/Retirements Budget Modifications-Under spending If any items are removed from the plan others will need to be brought forward

Finalize the Administrative Recommendation Presentation to School Board Presentation to Staff and Public  Tuesday January 10, 2012-West Middle School  Monday January 23, 2012-South Middle School  Monday January 30, 2012-Dakota Middle School  Tuesday February 7, 2012-North Middle School  Monday February 27, 2012-Southwest Middle School

"Quality is never an accident: It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives."