Superintendent's Letter to parents and community

10/03/2012 - From AlertNow Communication

Dear Parents,

At the October 10, 2012 public Board meeting, we will release options related to the Comprehensive Facilities Study that began last spring. I know that there has been a lot of discussion in our communities about our decision to conduct a comprehensive study of our school facilities. I hope I can clarify the objectives of the study, timelines for completion, and possible outcomes.

The decision to conduct a facilities study came out of public budget discussions with the County Commissioners last spring. At that time the Board of Education and I were asking for an increase to our operating budget. Several County Commissioners noted that our student population has been declining for multiple years. They indicated that we have too many schools for the number of students enrolled in our school system and that we could lessen operating expenses and reduce our ongoing capital renewal costs with fewer buildings. They asked us to consider closing schools as a means of reducing our operating and capital costs and thereby moderating the need for annual increases to our budget.

As we have already reduced our spending by over $20 million over the last five years, an examination of our facilities is a logical next step in making sure that we are using our revenue in the best possible manner. Therefore, I agreed to study our facilities to determine options related to our facilities and engage the community in the discussion.

At the October 10 meeting, staff will provide the Board of Education with a presentation on the various facility options (not recommendations) that have been under review. Following this presentation, we will release a survey to gather public input on the facility options to reduce our facility and operating costs. On January 9, 2013, we have scheduled a joint work session between the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners. At that time, the final report will be presented and there will be opportunity for the elected officials to discuss the findings, clarify any information, and determine whether to continue with any of the facility options.

I hope you will tune into the Board meeting through our website at www.carrollk12.org or on Channel 21 to hear the full range of options discussed.

Thanks.

Steve Guthrie
Superintendent of Schools