1. Education 2010! Allentown School District (ASD) Costing-out Study

2. Background ASD Community Council (ASD CC) established in 2000 –Goal: support efforts of ASD in education improvement plan –Developed a community engagement strategy –Provided mentoring and coaching –Raised 2.4M locally to assist ASD in the achievement of goals

3. Background 2004 - Education 2010! established Goal: Redirect efforts of ASD CC to address the challenge of education funding –Team comprised of Lehigh Valley CEOs, and community and education professionals –Focused on data and community involvement

4. CEO Leadership Group Chair - Mr. Lee Butz, CEO, Alvin H. Butz, Inc. Founder - Mr. Ed Donley, Former CEO, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Ms. Jan Armfield, Regional President Northeast PA, Wachovia Mr. Scott Fainor, President & CEO, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust Mr. Bill Hecht, Chairman and CEO, PPL Corporation, Retired Mr. John Jones III, Chairman, President and CEO, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Mr. Anthony Salvaggio, President, Computer Aid Mr. Don Snyder, President, Lehigh Carbon Community College Mr. Kim Snyder, President, Eastern Industries Dr. Elliot Sussman, President and CEO, Lehigh Valley Hospital Mr. Paul Vikner, President and CEO, Mack Trucks, Inc

5. Process Created Leadership team and Professional Staff teams Met with ASD leadership team; toured the District facilities Hired consultants to characterize demographic data and study the implications of the data on school finance

6. Process Pennsylvania Economic League (PEL) who provided an in-depth analysis of the economic and social demographics of the area Augenblich, Palaich and Associates (APA), of Denver, Co who identified the economic challenges the District faces, how these challenges impact student education and offered options for consideration

7. Process Based on data gathered, asked consultants to provide options on funding Brought data and recommendations to the community and surrounding school districts for input –Public forums –Media features and editorials Based on data and community input, Education 2010! chose the state option

8. State Option Involved local and state legislators –CEOs and ASD leadership met with legislators from both parties, members of the Senate and House education committees and members of the PA Department of Education –Presented data on demographics, local ability to generate revenues and student needs –Asked for support to ensure ASD receive additional state revenues to bring the District’s expenditure per pupil to the statewide average

9. Results ASD received a 21% increase in funding from the Commonwealth for 2006-2007 ASD will use the funding to address critical needs identified in the consultants report The data-driven study underscored the need for PA education funding reform---a costing- out study has been implemented at the state level

10. Going Forward Update the current revenue and operating data for 2006-2007 Based on new data, identify if a per pupil gap (ASD vs. state wide average) exists If gap exists, seek additional funding Support other school districts and agencies in efforts for equitable funding

11. Lessons Learned Quality education is a community issue Successful funding reform needs the support of local legislators and business leaders All change must be data-driven---not based on assumptions or emotions School districts must commit to accountability