EDUCATION UPDATE/ALERT
updated 9/28/12
On
Wednesday, September 26th, Commissioner Doug
Howard (District 5) held an Education Forum at the South Carroll Senior and
Community Center. Also in attendance was Commissioner Haven Shoemaker
(District 2). More than 200 parents, community members and teachers
attended the Forum.
The
purpose of the Forum was to engage and inform the public on several issues
including the school system budget and the much-talked-about school closings.
MAINTENANCE
OF EFFORT (MOE)
Commissioner
Howard spent quite a bit of time talking about the county’s budget process as
it relates to the school system budget. He explained how “Maintenance of
Effort” (the law that makes sure local jurisdictions spend at least as much PER
PUPIL as they did the prior year) drives a lot of the decision-making and can
have a positive impact (when student enrollment goes up) or a negative impact
(when student enrollment goes down). When the Commissioners prepared the
budget last year, they balanced the county's budget over the next five years. The
five year projections hold the school system at $164M for the next five
years. With such varying factors (teacher pension past-backs, increased
infrastructure costs, etc) this could result in an actual reduction in the
school system’s operating budget, especially since student enrollment is
expected to decrease during this time period. Last year, Mr. Guthrie
presented the Commissioners with a list of areas that may have to be reduced if
the County held the school system to MOE over the five year span. These potential reductions
include:
· Eliminating
up to 200 teaching positions
· Closing
2 schools
· Closing
of school media centers
· Closing
Hashawha Outdoor School
· Reducing
extra-curricular activities
SCHOOL
CLOSINGS – Truth vs. Speculation
The
reason the school system has initiated a “Utilization Study” (which is expected
to recommend up to 3 school closings) was at the urging of the County
Commissioners. Since CCPS enrollment continues to decrease and is
expected to do so for at least the next five years, certain members of the
Board of Commissioners called on the school system to analyze what school
buildings could be closed in order to help balance the school system budget.
There is debate among the Commissioners as to whether a school should be closed
based upon its capacity or age of the facility.
Commissioners
Howard and Haven believe an argument can be made AGAINST closing ANY school or
facility and if such a closure should occur, it should only take place as a
measure of last resort. The current “state” of Carroll’s finances do not
indicate that the county is in such dire straits that a school building should
be closed. In fact, Commissioner Howard pointed out that the County’s
revenues have finally stabilized, the Commissioners have been able to lower
taxes, and we currently have a $14 million dollar surplus. As such,
neither feels there is any cause to close a school. The Commissioners
also pointed out that the process is extremely complicated and must ultimately
have approval from the State Board of Education. Any school that is
closed is likely to re-open in the future once enrollment begins to increase
(expected in approx. 2018).
At
this time, NO SCHOOL CLOSINGS in any area of the County have been
recommended. The Superintendent is planning to present a list of
“options” to the School Board at the October 10th
school board meeting. The school board will then have several months to
consider the options/recommendations before submitting those recommendations
(by way of a budget) to the County Commissioners at a joint meeting on January
9th.
WHAT
ABOUT LIBERTY H.S.?
While
both Commissioner Howard and Principal Clowes stated they do not believe
Liberty H.S. will be on a ist of closings, each acknowledged they have no
information to say it with absolute certainty. Everyone is in agreement
that to do so would make no sense. However, many agree it makes no sense
to be closing any school at all. Commissioner Howard talked about how the
“rumor” may have come about. In a conversation with the Superintendent
and Commissioner Rothschild (District 4), Liberty H.S. was used as an example
of an “aging” school.
IMMEDIATE
NEXT STEPS
Commissioner
Howard urged the public to weigh in NOW – before the October 10th
presentation – to let our public officials know how we feel. This is
especially important since many (including Commissioner Howard) believe the
initial community survey from the Utilization Study is flawed and not accurate
based upon the wording of the questions and limitations in responding.
This is also important since we are about to elect 2 new board of education
members in November. While Commissioner Howard acknowledged the Board of
Commissioners role in “forcing” the school system’s hand, he said the process
starts with the school board.
Please
see the blog below for immediate NEXT STEPS and all the necessary contact
information.
KELLI
NELSON
