Recently the BOE heard from Sharron Lawrence with respect to how AP ranks against the rest of the Capital District in a number of different areas. This information has been compiled and summarized by the Capital District Business Review.
Let me assure you, it was all good news for the district and its residents. The years covered were 07-08, 08-09, and 09-10. We can only look back at the results, there is a one year lag in the information available.
The best news was that our academic ranking had increased over the three years. All rankings are based on 100 or so other districts around the region. The academic rankings were as follows. 30th in 07-08, 21st in 08-09 and 13th in 09-10. This shows that the teachers have continued to excel and in turn have continued to educate our kids in spite of the turmoil around them. These are good people simply doing a good job.
Another bright spot was that the average cost to educate per student, during those same three years, decreased. The ranking for our cost to educate vs the rest of the area had fallen. Our rankings were 42nd the first year, 60th the second and 68th in 09-10. Enough external pressure was being placed on the Administration during those years that they responded, and in turn, succeeded. A better education for less was being delivered. (In spite of a certain someone and her cronies who were constantly defending the administration and allowing teachers to be laid off)
The third item that really go my attention was that during this time the ranking for Median teacher salary had increased. We were 54th the first year, 34th the 2nd and 25th in 09-10. There could be a number of reasons for this. We could be seeing this because we have laid off teachers during this time. The rule "last in first out" gets rid of the lowest paid, pushing the median salary higher via seniority union rules. The other option is that other districts have been hiring new teachers during this period and dragging the median at their district lower with lower salaries. Either way, we are doing more with less and our teachers are the key.
That was confirmed during the last BOE "get together" with the Administrators group. They basically told us that they were working. A lot. Most of their time was spent managing. Personally, managing is what I always thought they were supposed to be doing. Teachers teach and Administrators, well they administer. They have confirmed that they are in deed earning their pay.
It appeared to me that the group was telling the BOE that the 11-12 contingency budget adopted, sucked. This was the budget put forth by both the former Superintendent and former BOE President. The Superintendent had no idea she would be leaving at the time and may have had to live with this budget, and its consequences. Yet, they pressed on.
Where were the Administrators then? Even though I had put forth alternatives (over $500,000) that didn't impact kids, no Administrator came to me to sound a warning. It seems no one wanted to say anything, they just sat on their hands. Why worry? They had the no lay off clause. Let the teachers get the ax.
The Administrators cited the "reduction of student engagement" as a problem brought on by the loss of 1 business, 2.0 FACS, .6 Social studies electives and .4 Art. Then they reported that our late arrivals and early dismissals are both up. Why? We don't have any teachers to teach the electives to fill the school day. Could the cause be that the teachers got the ax? I would say so.
We were told that if any further cuts are made at Algonquin, the education supplied may drop below NYS mandate. Teachers are now at "the maximum contact time allowed by contract" and "have been relieved of supervisory duties". They are just teaching.
So with the bad news delivered by the Administrators this early in the year, I have to ask: Where were you guys last spring? You had a "no lay off" clause protecting you and you didn't speak up to try to change the BOE direction. Now you say you are working hard, all day. Welcome to the world that the rest of us have experienced for years. It's called reality.
Oh, and another thing. The next time you see the misguided majority of the BOE getting ready to adopt a travesty, speak up!
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4 comments:
"Where were the Administrators then?" Blindy and obediently following the Neil and Jo chain-of-command. So, now that "chain" is too heavy????? Too bad! I heard them fully supporting the first Budget, at BOE meetings, didn't you? And when the contingency was proposed by Neil, who just said, "Well, we'll just go right to contingency, if the budget passes", NO ONE SAID A WORD!!!
So Bill , if we cannot trust the Admin's words, or "non-words", from year to year, why hasn't the BOE publicly analyzed the GWS school reopening? The additional transportation costs alone, would tell ANYONE, this was not a wise deal.
And if a ONE YEAR contract was signed, why is Questar still in the DWS building? That contract EXPIRED after one year in the building, so WHY are they still in the building? Who had the legal authority to make a financial deal, of that magnitude, without public discussion?????? The shifty-ness of this District still continues to amaze all of us! You see Bill, no matter how loud their whineing gets, remember, Mike Ouimet and Sharon Lawrence still do whatever they want. And why does the survey matter that Sharon read? If Sharon wants a real survey, survey the TAXPAYERS AND PARENTS, and then report those to us. What happened to a PARENT SURVEY? We desperately need one!!!!!
From what I understand, Mike Ouimet has staff members compling voter stats at election time, so why not get them started on a District wide parent survey?
Cost? There are people in the district that have the education and experience to make this happen, free of charge!!!!
All building administrators should present the state of their building to the BOE before budget time. That way the BOE knows the test scores, staffing and buiding issues directly from the administrators in the building. Let them tell the BOE and taxpayers the REAL state of their individual school. What additional staff are they really lacking? Is there water in their school's basement? A leaky rook? Transportation issues? Do they need more books/technology? Plus, what are they doing well and what are their strengths? Why haven't the building administrators ever spoken at BOE meetings like this before? If the BOE wants more communication with administrators set up presentations like this now on the agendas well before budget time.
That seemed to be the point of the gathering. They were giving updates on the effects of the 11-12 budget.
I think it should have been given at a BOE meeting for all to hear.
One other item I forgot to include was not a surprise to me, but to hear it out loud.
Apparently, there is a shortage of SPACE. Yes you read it right. Space is tight in the district. With the reduction in program, staff and a shrinking student population, space is tight.
Who knew? :)
How much does it cost to get a job in APCSD?
Advance agenda for a Board of Education meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m., November 15, 2011 at
the Averill Park High School – LGI.
8. Approve to accept a donation in the amount of $15,000.00 from the Averill Park
Booster Club for the purpose of restoring winter track and increase the General
Fund budget (A28551500053000) by this amount.
9. Approve to accept a donation in the amount of $27,874.00 from the Averill Park
Booster Club for the purpose of restoring boys & girls freshman basketball and
boys & girls varsity assistant basketball coaches and increase the General Fund
budget (A28551500046000) by this amount.
9. Approve the appointment of Jenna Brooks as Freshmen Girls’ Basketball Coach,
effective November 7, 2011.
10. Approve the appointment of Meghan O’Shea as Modified Girls’ Basketball Coach,
effective November 21, 2011.
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