The school board heard the budget forecast for 2012-13 last night. We are looking at a $2.1 million deficit for next year. To look at all the information available at this time, and to see the schedule of events, go to the district's 2012-13 budget webpage.
Also, here is the podcast of last night's meeting:
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Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Holiday dinner a big success
Our wonderful district staff and Taher put on a free community dinner at the high school on Christmas Day. If you would like to see a slideshow of the decorations and event, check out the district Facebook page.
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Letter to MDE
In our continuing efforts to make change at the state level, this letter was sent to MDE Commissioner Brenda Cassellius last week. I think the gas station analogy puts the plight of NBAPS and its residents in perspective:
Dear Commissioner Cassellius,
I write to you this day on behalf of North Branch Area Public Schools and the communities it serves, to share with you the results of our recent operating levy proposal and express our dissatisfaction with the current funding formula. It is my deepest hope that, in doing so, we can cease to be the example of what is wrong with K-12 funding, and instead inspire a solution.
North Branch Area Public Schools enrolls 3,143 students K-12 in the Chisago/Isanti County area. Our most recent levy attempt failed this November, and marks the eighth consecutive such failure since 1998. We were recently referred to in the Star Tribune as the “unluckiest” school district in the state. Our budget woes have been featured in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and on CNN.
Our inability to pass an operating levy is a primary reason we are one of the lowest-funded school districts in the state. The state funding formula, and specifically an equalization factor that has remained unchanged in almost 20 years, is a primary reason we are unable to pass a levy.
In 1994, when the equalization factor was put in place, it was designed to give school districts across the state an equal playing field with the wealthiest districts. It allowed for property poor districts to receive equalization aid on a sliding scale if the school district had a market value per pupil unit below $476,000. According to MDE, records indicate that in 1997, two school districts out of 358 were above that figure and the average market value per pupil unit was $175,000.
Over the succeeding years, property values skyrocketed and the average market value per pupil unit is projected to be $469,000 in 2013. Increasing property values however, do not equate to an increase in wealth. It does equate to an increase in taxes though, and Chisago County - which makes up the bulk of our school district - has one of the highest median property tax rates not just in the state, but the entire nation.
While property values and tax burdens have steadily increased, the state’s equalization factor has remained unchanged since its inception and no longer reflects a figure designed to keep property poor districts on a level playing field with property wealthy districts. In 2013, 69 school districts will have a market value per pupil above $476,000. And though the majority of districts still remain under that figure, the average dictates that less fortunate school districts qualify for less state aid than ever before, making the challenge of offering students the same advantages as wealthy districts all but impossible.
Here are some examples of the drastic differences in operating levy tax impact, based on the maximum levy amount of $1,605 per pupil:
• North Branch Area Public Schools: $407 per $100,000 of property value
• Orono Public Schools: $125 per $100,000 of property value
• Westonka: $143 per $100,000 of property value
• Wayzata: $188 per $100,000 of property value
Even our closest competitors to the south realize an advantage when trying to provide for students:
• Chisago Area Public Schools: $358 per $100,000 of property value
• Forest Lake: $312 per $100,000 of property value
Imagine if you will that school funding is like buying gas. When North Branch pulls into the station, it is instructed to use pumps at which the price of gas is $4.07 a gallon. When Orono pulls into the same station for the same gas, it is allowed to pay $1.25 a gallon. Any fair-minded person would agree that the situation as it stands is inherently unfair for school districts and, far more importantly, students. The result for a school district like North Branch Area Public Schools has been nothing short of devastating.
The same holds true for other equalization factors, most notably debt equalization. Increases in property values have pushed more districts “off the formula” with a larger share of debt service shifting to local property taxes, further increasing the local burden. This magnifies the difficulties North Branch Area Public Schools faces in asking voters to approve operating levies.
Since 2003-04 we have cut $14 million in staff and programs with millions more expected each year into the foreseeable future. Fees to parents have been increased, supply lists have grown, class sizes have increased, leadership and oversight decimated, buildings closed, the school week reduced, extracurricular activities slashed, and programs eliminated. In the last four years we have cut 89 full-time equivalent positions, and despite declines in enrollment we have fewer staff serving more students than ever before. Those job losses have also contributed to an overall decline in the local economy.
The constant drumbeat of lost opportunities has accelerated enrollment declines - further exacerbating our funding issues, and a funding system so complex only very few understand has frustrated our public to the point of causing an almost complete breakdown in the relationship between school district and community.
The situation here can only be described as toxic, and at the root of that toxicity lies inequitable funding.
Despite our great and numerous challenges, NBAPS has done remarkably well at continuing to provide a competitive education. However, that cannot continue into the future without significant change to the way schools are funded in the near future.
Each year we have to look our residents in the eye and tell them that circumstances are such that their children’s educations remain under-funded. We tell them that the situation cannot continue much longer, the state must correct the problem. We have been saying that now since 2003-04. It has been almost a decade of waiting and watching an entire generation of students and families stuck between a rock and a hard place; hoping for change.
We appreciate so much what you do for the children of the state. It is our sincerest hope that we can work together in these challenging times to create an equitable funding structure that acknowledges all kids deserve the same opportunity for a high quality public education.
Sincerely,
Deb Henton, Ed. D.
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Dear Commissioner Cassellius,
I write to you this day on behalf of North Branch Area Public Schools and the communities it serves, to share with you the results of our recent operating levy proposal and express our dissatisfaction with the current funding formula. It is my deepest hope that, in doing so, we can cease to be the example of what is wrong with K-12 funding, and instead inspire a solution.
North Branch Area Public Schools enrolls 3,143 students K-12 in the Chisago/Isanti County area. Our most recent levy attempt failed this November, and marks the eighth consecutive such failure since 1998. We were recently referred to in the Star Tribune as the “unluckiest” school district in the state. Our budget woes have been featured in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and on CNN.
Our inability to pass an operating levy is a primary reason we are one of the lowest-funded school districts in the state. The state funding formula, and specifically an equalization factor that has remained unchanged in almost 20 years, is a primary reason we are unable to pass a levy.
In 1994, when the equalization factor was put in place, it was designed to give school districts across the state an equal playing field with the wealthiest districts. It allowed for property poor districts to receive equalization aid on a sliding scale if the school district had a market value per pupil unit below $476,000. According to MDE, records indicate that in 1997, two school districts out of 358 were above that figure and the average market value per pupil unit was $175,000.
Over the succeeding years, property values skyrocketed and the average market value per pupil unit is projected to be $469,000 in 2013. Increasing property values however, do not equate to an increase in wealth. It does equate to an increase in taxes though, and Chisago County - which makes up the bulk of our school district - has one of the highest median property tax rates not just in the state, but the entire nation.
While property values and tax burdens have steadily increased, the state’s equalization factor has remained unchanged since its inception and no longer reflects a figure designed to keep property poor districts on a level playing field with property wealthy districts. In 2013, 69 school districts will have a market value per pupil above $476,000. And though the majority of districts still remain under that figure, the average dictates that less fortunate school districts qualify for less state aid than ever before, making the challenge of offering students the same advantages as wealthy districts all but impossible.
Here are some examples of the drastic differences in operating levy tax impact, based on the maximum levy amount of $1,605 per pupil:
• North Branch Area Public Schools: $407 per $100,000 of property value
• Orono Public Schools: $125 per $100,000 of property value
• Westonka: $143 per $100,000 of property value
• Wayzata: $188 per $100,000 of property value
Even our closest competitors to the south realize an advantage when trying to provide for students:
• Chisago Area Public Schools: $358 per $100,000 of property value
• Forest Lake: $312 per $100,000 of property value
Imagine if you will that school funding is like buying gas. When North Branch pulls into the station, it is instructed to use pumps at which the price of gas is $4.07 a gallon. When Orono pulls into the same station for the same gas, it is allowed to pay $1.25 a gallon. Any fair-minded person would agree that the situation as it stands is inherently unfair for school districts and, far more importantly, students. The result for a school district like North Branch Area Public Schools has been nothing short of devastating.
The same holds true for other equalization factors, most notably debt equalization. Increases in property values have pushed more districts “off the formula” with a larger share of debt service shifting to local property taxes, further increasing the local burden. This magnifies the difficulties North Branch Area Public Schools faces in asking voters to approve operating levies.
Since 2003-04 we have cut $14 million in staff and programs with millions more expected each year into the foreseeable future. Fees to parents have been increased, supply lists have grown, class sizes have increased, leadership and oversight decimated, buildings closed, the school week reduced, extracurricular activities slashed, and programs eliminated. In the last four years we have cut 89 full-time equivalent positions, and despite declines in enrollment we have fewer staff serving more students than ever before. Those job losses have also contributed to an overall decline in the local economy.
The constant drumbeat of lost opportunities has accelerated enrollment declines - further exacerbating our funding issues, and a funding system so complex only very few understand has frustrated our public to the point of causing an almost complete breakdown in the relationship between school district and community.
The situation here can only be described as toxic, and at the root of that toxicity lies inequitable funding.
Despite our great and numerous challenges, NBAPS has done remarkably well at continuing to provide a competitive education. However, that cannot continue into the future without significant change to the way schools are funded in the near future.
Each year we have to look our residents in the eye and tell them that circumstances are such that their children’s educations remain under-funded. We tell them that the situation cannot continue much longer, the state must correct the problem. We have been saying that now since 2003-04. It has been almost a decade of waiting and watching an entire generation of students and families stuck between a rock and a hard place; hoping for change.
We appreciate so much what you do for the children of the state. It is our sincerest hope that we can work together in these challenging times to create an equitable funding structure that acknowledges all kids deserve the same opportunity for a high quality public education.
Sincerely,
Deb Henton, Ed. D.
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