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News

District prepares to enact cuts

By BRIAN LEAHY
of The Gazette
Now that the Stevens Point Area Public School Board has approved a $3.4 million resource reallocation plan, the school district is identifying those teachers, especially at the secondary level, impacted by the plan that takes effect next school year.

"We'll be spending the next four to six weeks looking at the specific impacts of the proposal," Schuler said. "Hopefully with retirements we'll be able to cover the people whose positions will be eliminated."

School officials wanted to start the process early so any displaced teachers could begin their job searches, he said.

Of the $3.6 million in cuts identified in the proposal, the biggest savings, $1,236,735, is the anticipated retirement of 45 teachers, at a saving of $27,483 per teacher.

Increasing the student-to-staff ratio at Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) from 14.95:1 to 17:1 would result in $576,000 in savings through the elimination of 12.8 full-time equivalent positions. Increasing the junior high student-to-staff ratio to 15:1 would result in $562,500 in savings by eliminating 12.5 full-time equivalent positions - 9.0 positions at P.J. Jacobs and 3.5 at Ben Franklin. The current ratios are 13.08:1 at P.J. Jacobs and 14.11:1 at Ben Franklin.

The next largest savings is reducing the number of librarians in the district from 14 to six and adding aide time so each elementary school has an education assistant in its library for seven hours a day. The net savings would be $441,262.

For the complete budget reallocation report, visit the district's Web site at www.wisp.k12.wi.us.

School officials began looking for ways to address the district's structural deficit after Schuler recommended to the board in August that it not hold a referendum this year asking for voter approval to exceed the property tax cap for operational costs. Schuler made his resource reallocation recommendation to the board on Oct. 28. Two public hearings, plus a joint curriculum and finance committee meeting, were held to seek input.

"I thought it was a good process," Schuler said. "It was unfortunate that we had to make cuts. No one likes to do that, but I'm pleased we got our fiscal house in order."

More cuts could be on the way in following school years, even after the $3.4 million reallocation plan takes effect during the 2003-2004 school year. If the state-funding situation stays the same, the district is projecting deficits of more than $1 million in the 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years.

"After the strategic plan is finalized in February, we'll be putting together a long-range plan that will cover the district for the next four to five years both educationally and fiscally," Schuler said.

As the district and board has talked about its budget problems, Schuler has emphasized the importance of lobbying state and federal officials to increase funding for local schools.

"We will continue to work on that hard for the next 12 to 18 months as (the state and federal governments) work on budgets," Schuler said. "We're hopeful."

About 15 community and school staff members addressed the School Board Monday, Nov. 11, when it discussed and acted upon the reallocation plan. The board voted 7-2 to approve the plan, with members Mary Thurmaier and Elmer Fournier voting against the proposal.

Many of the public comments were opposed to eliminating the fourth-grade orchestra and chorus programs. Schuler proposed the change to increase teacher contact time in a grade where mandatory state and federal testing occurs, stating students in the music programs spend less time in their classroom as they take part in special lessons.

At the meeting Schuler also clarified some misconceptions he had heard about his proposal.

* Libraries will remain open during the school day and be accessible to students with services provided by either a librarian or educational assistant.

* Even though some music opportunities will be eliminated for fourth-graders, general music will remain part of their curriculum.

* Students enrolled in the Russian language program can continue their Russian studies through the Youth Options Program at the university or, possibly, a distance-learning program.

* Athletic fees will be reviewed.

* Across the board percentage cuts for all budgets wouldn't have balanced the budget as only a small percentage of the budget makes up discretionary funds.

* Adventure education will continue to be offered to students.

* The Write Place program will remain at SPASH, but it will be staffed differently.



	District prepares to enact cuts By BRIAN LEAHY of The Gazette Now that the Stevens Point Area Public School Board has approved a $3.4 million resource reallocation plan, the school district is identifying those teachers, especially at the secondary level, impacted by the plan that takes effect next school year. "We'll be spending the next four to six weeks looking at the specific impacts of the proposal," Schuler said. "Hopefully with retirements we'll be able to cover the people whose positions will be eliminated." School officials wanted to start the process early so any displaced teachers could begin their job searches, he said. Of the $3.6 million in cuts identified in the proposal, the biggest savings, $1,236,735, is the anticipated retirement of 45 teachers, at a saving of $27,483 per teacher. Increasing the student-to-staff ratio at Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) from 14.95:1 to 17:1 would result in $576,000 in savings through the elimination of 12.8 full-time equivalent positions. Increasing the junior high student-to-staff ratio to 15:1 would result in $562,500 in savings by eliminating 12.5 full-time equivalent positions - 9.0 positions at P.J. Jacobs and 3.5 at Ben Franklin. The current ratios are 13.08:1 at P.J. Jacobs and 14.11:1 at Ben Franklin. The next largest savings is reducing the number of librarians in the district from 14 to six and adding aide time so each elementary school has an education assistant in its library for seven hours a day. The net savings would be $441,262. For the complete budget reallocation report, visit the district's Web site at www.wisp.k12.wi.us. School officials began looking for ways to address the district's structural deficit after Schuler recommended to the board in August that it not hold a referendum this year asking for voter approval to exceed the property tax cap for operational costs. Schuler made his resource reallocation recommendation to the board on Oct. 28. Two public hearings, plus a joint curriculum and finance committee meeting, were held to seek input. "I thought it was a good process," Schuler said. "It was unfortunate that we had to make cuts. No one likes to do that, but I'm pleased we got our fiscal house in order." More cuts could be on the way in following school years, even after the $3.4 million reallocation plan takes effect during the 2003-2004 school year. If the state-funding situation stays the same, the district is projecting deficits of more than $1 million in the 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years. "After the strategic plan is finalized in February, we'll be putting together a long-range plan that will cover the district for the next four to five years both educationally and fiscally," Schuler said. As the district and board has talked about its budget problems, Schuler has emphasized the importance of lobbying state and federal officials to increase funding for local schools. "We will continue to work on that hard for the next 12 to 18 months as (the state and federal governments) work on budgets," Schuler said. "We're hopeful." About 15 community and school staff members addressed the School Board Monday, Nov. 11, when it discussed and acted upon the reallocation plan. The board voted 7-2 to approve the plan, with members Mary Thurmaier and Elmer Fournier voting against the proposal. Many of the public comments were opposed to eliminating the fourth-grade orchestra and chorus programs. Schuler proposed the change to increase teacher contact time in a grade where mandatory state and federal testing occurs, stating students in the music programs spend less time in their classroom as they take part in special lessons. At the meeting Schuler also clarified some misconceptions he had heard about his proposal. * Libraries will remain open during the school day and be accessible to students with services provided by either a librarian or educational assistant. * Even though some music opportunities will be eliminated for fourth-graders, general music will remain part of their curriculum. * Students enrolled in the Russian language program can continue their Russian studies through the Youth Options Program at the university or, possibly, a distance-learning program. * Athletic fees will be reviewed. * Across the board percentage cuts for all budgets wouldn't have balanced the budget as only a small percentage of the budget makes up discretionary funds. * Adventure education will continue to be offered to students. * The Write Place program will remain at SPASH, but it will be staffed differently.