The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) provides many services to boards across the state. The highest profile is the annual conference in Columbus. Held at the Columbus Convention Center, it features a trade show for school service vendors and a series of breakout presentations on a wide range of school related subjects.
A quick overview of some subjects available this year include Transitioning the multiply disabled to adulthood; Infectious disease control and prevention; Making tough decisions in a recession; Electricity purchasing workshop; Labor law tips all administrators should know; A district wide intervention program; Legal implications of social technology and School funding reform-Will it ever happen. There were literally dozens of other topics offered covering issues of concern for schools.
Studying the map of the trade show and reflecting on the empty spaces I calculate there were at least 1,500 vendors. Of those it seemed there were dozens of architect and or engineering firms and at least as many project management firms all vying for attention and business. Attention getting handouts ranged from pens and bag clips to assorted candies plus popcorn, backpacks and other gewgaws.
One conversation I had with an architect yielded the fact that in Ohio, the main areas of productive activity that he saw were school building projects and churches. He further observed that church building was lagging behind as available funds are dwindling. He also pointed out that when the tobacco settlement funding for schools runs out that area will revert to only funds from the state budget which are limited at best and questionable going forward. Not a cheery overview.
No one seems able to provide a precise answer to the question of when our district’s opportunity to take advantage of the tobacco funds actually expires. As usual, there seems to be a bit of double talk and politics involved at the state level on this subject. It may be clear to someone but it is certainly not clear to me.
As you know we had lost our older state funding participation rate of 39% and were reduced to 28%. We were re-instated to receive the higher level of state funding but we will lose that again if we do not take advantage of it within a 24 month window. It is still unclear to me when that window closes. It is further uncertain when the tobacco money actually runs out. That will depend of course on how many districts take advantage of it before we step up, if we do.
The other activity that takes place at these conferences is networking with board members from other districts. Their experiences often prove of value in making decisions locally.
You may be interested in two conversations I had. One with a lady from a district that some years ago failed to pass a bond issue for new buildings four times. They dug in and are living with their old buildings, the newest of which dates to the 1950s. The oldest of which was built in 1870. They are on a continuous cycle of seeking operating funds to maintain and operate those buildings. They have spent a lot of money doing what they can to have the buildings accommodate today’s needs.
The other was with a treasurer whose bond issue also failed recently and they, like us, are totally uncertain as to how to proceed. The needs have not changed but the possibilities and choices are now more limited.
The question I am asked most frequently locally is what comes next. The answer for me at the moment is, I do not yet know.
A forum for Marietta City Schools constituents and board members. Comments, suggestions, observations and information invited.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thank You And Imagine.
Imagine the Marietta area without Interstate Route 77. Think of the lack of commerce. Ponder driving to Cleveland on Route 821. To get to Florida you have to go somewhere else to start.
When I came to Marietta a generation and a half ago it was hard to live a day without hearing about S. Durward Hoag and his wonderful accomplishment; getting Route 77 to come through Marietta. Original plans called for it to be near Athens. His tireless work let fortune smile on Marietta.
Thank you Mr. Hoag for your vision and effort. Hope and promise arrived on this new highway.
Time to say thank you to a few more folks who worked for our future. There is an email list of nearly 50 names of people directly associated with the School Bond Committee. None of them seek nor would be happy with any public thank you. Their efforts have been yeoman like for many months.
More thanks to the many folks whose names are not on that list but helped in so many ways to deliver the message of what our future can be with new facilities. People who distributed yard signs, door hangers, information brochures, Journey Maps. People who put signs in their yards, talked to neighbors, asked questions and got answers. TV endorsers, ad writers, producers. Cash contributors to the campaign. An endless list.
Thanks to the local craftsmen who helped in many ways with the effort to get the message out. Even more thanks for their favorable Project Labor Agreement that would save us countless dollars as the work proceeded. A minimum of 80% of the workers would be local folks who would pump those income dollars back into the economy generating our own local job stimulus program. And brought $31 million of our own money back from Columbus.
Thanks to many individuals who put talent and time into generating the Journey Map that examines our district today in great detail and lays out a map to take us to the future our community deserves. Never has there been a more comprehensive vision for education in Marietta.
Three years ago your board was looking at a familiar picture. A 5 year forecast that showed us running out of money in 3 years. We were on the cycle of frustration caused by the unconstitutional funding of education in Ohio. That hasn’t changed.
That cycle stifles hope promise and vision for districts across Ohio. It locks us into perpetuating mediocrity and continually asking voters for more funds. Three years ago we would not have been eligible for the tobacco money. Those are the funds that would have been brought here as the state’s share of the project. They will soon disappear.
Nearly two years ago the dream of updated education facilities and a new Marietta future began to formulate. Today the voters have spoken. Not so fast was the message. Not now. Make do with what we have. And we will.
Marietta without Route 77 would not be what she is today. And the Marietta of tomorrow will not be nearly as prosperous without updating our educational facilities. At some point it will have to happen. Until then, we will continue to provide the best education opportunities in our existing facilities.
We are still stuck on the cycle of frustration with the sate funding formula. Buildings would not change that even with the projected savings. But they would help.
The only way to know what the public wants is to ask. Many thanks to those who gave us the opportunity to ask the voters what they want.
When I came to Marietta a generation and a half ago it was hard to live a day without hearing about S. Durward Hoag and his wonderful accomplishment; getting Route 77 to come through Marietta. Original plans called for it to be near Athens. His tireless work let fortune smile on Marietta.
Thank you Mr. Hoag for your vision and effort. Hope and promise arrived on this new highway.
Time to say thank you to a few more folks who worked for our future. There is an email list of nearly 50 names of people directly associated with the School Bond Committee. None of them seek nor would be happy with any public thank you. Their efforts have been yeoman like for many months.
More thanks to the many folks whose names are not on that list but helped in so many ways to deliver the message of what our future can be with new facilities. People who distributed yard signs, door hangers, information brochures, Journey Maps. People who put signs in their yards, talked to neighbors, asked questions and got answers. TV endorsers, ad writers, producers. Cash contributors to the campaign. An endless list.
Thanks to the local craftsmen who helped in many ways with the effort to get the message out. Even more thanks for their favorable Project Labor Agreement that would save us countless dollars as the work proceeded. A minimum of 80% of the workers would be local folks who would pump those income dollars back into the economy generating our own local job stimulus program. And brought $31 million of our own money back from Columbus.
Thanks to many individuals who put talent and time into generating the Journey Map that examines our district today in great detail and lays out a map to take us to the future our community deserves. Never has there been a more comprehensive vision for education in Marietta.
Three years ago your board was looking at a familiar picture. A 5 year forecast that showed us running out of money in 3 years. We were on the cycle of frustration caused by the unconstitutional funding of education in Ohio. That hasn’t changed.
That cycle stifles hope promise and vision for districts across Ohio. It locks us into perpetuating mediocrity and continually asking voters for more funds. Three years ago we would not have been eligible for the tobacco money. Those are the funds that would have been brought here as the state’s share of the project. They will soon disappear.
Nearly two years ago the dream of updated education facilities and a new Marietta future began to formulate. Today the voters have spoken. Not so fast was the message. Not now. Make do with what we have. And we will.
Marietta without Route 77 would not be what she is today. And the Marietta of tomorrow will not be nearly as prosperous without updating our educational facilities. At some point it will have to happen. Until then, we will continue to provide the best education opportunities in our existing facilities.
We are still stuck on the cycle of frustration with the sate funding formula. Buildings would not change that even with the projected savings. But they would help.
The only way to know what the public wants is to ask. Many thanks to those who gave us the opportunity to ask the voters what they want.
Warning. Finances Still A Disaster. Thank You Ohio.
Warning. You are about to enter the Twilight Zone of school finance. Do not read further without being seated. The road ahead is unpredictable.
You must sign a disclaimer stating you understand that schools are set up to go broke every three to five years. You must acknowledge that Ohio schools have been operating unconstitutionally for decades. You may now proceed through the door to the unknown. Fasten your seatbelt.
Last Monday’s board meeting saw the presentation of the new 5 year financial projection. Mr. Combs received the latest state funding formula a few days before and began assembling the numbers as directed by the state.
Gone was money for buses. We’re on our own. Changed was the state funding “guarantee” formula. We lost nearly $100,000. A “gifted identification” formula was changed. We lost another $10,000.
State personal property taxes were eliminated but the state was to make up our share. That solemn promise is reduced by 47% within this forecast period. A loss of $438,000. Property tax income will be reduced by $364,000. Thank you very much. Was that Elvis we just saw?
The current Permanent Improvement levy will expire. The current Operating levy will also expire during the period. The assumption is that voters will replace both. But who knows? Together they constitute several million dollars essential to our survival on this journey to the future.
On the expense side is a zero increase in wages for the coming year and a modest increase over the period. An 18% increase in health costs for this year followed by 12% increases the remaining years is in line with national statistics. Unless---well, who knows what’s behind the health care cost door?
Open enrollment is a $750,000 annual cost. Community School costs are $300,000. Alternative School costs $80,000. Add to that Washington County Juvenile Center tuition of $50,000. PSEO costs an additional $50,000. The total expense is over a million dollars to educate students out of our district. Oh, yes, then there is a reduction in federal reimbursement for special programming of $80,000.
The reduction in bus fuel expense is a result of lower costs from the previous projection, but that too could change dramatically as we have seen. There is an increase in staffing costs. Some federal funds completely disappear and those costs must be absorbed by the General Fund.
Federal dollars touted as gifts are as formless as the ghosts of Christmas past when they expire. Financial chicanery on a grand scale committed by experts. More Ponzi schemes anyone? Government plays them best. And it’s legal when they play. And they play with your money.
The point of previewing this journey you are taking is to tell you that in spite of the work done during the past two years attempting to bring new facilities to the district, the overall funding picture is still bleak. As it has been for decades in Ohio. Remember, you were warned that school funding is designed to go broke every 3 to 5 years. Which is why a constant stream of new funds from the voters is required just to keep operating.
New facilities will bring some operational savings but we are 3 years away from seeing those buildings and yet further away from realizing the savings. The only part of this journey you get to control is your votes next Tuesday and in coming years. Will we take this journey in new buildings or old? Will we pour more money into old facilities or leap into the future? Either way, the choice is yours. You get to decide. Enjoy the ride.
You must sign a disclaimer stating you understand that schools are set up to go broke every three to five years. You must acknowledge that Ohio schools have been operating unconstitutionally for decades. You may now proceed through the door to the unknown. Fasten your seatbelt.
Last Monday’s board meeting saw the presentation of the new 5 year financial projection. Mr. Combs received the latest state funding formula a few days before and began assembling the numbers as directed by the state.
Gone was money for buses. We’re on our own. Changed was the state funding “guarantee” formula. We lost nearly $100,000. A “gifted identification” formula was changed. We lost another $10,000.
State personal property taxes were eliminated but the state was to make up our share. That solemn promise is reduced by 47% within this forecast period. A loss of $438,000. Property tax income will be reduced by $364,000. Thank you very much. Was that Elvis we just saw?
The current Permanent Improvement levy will expire. The current Operating levy will also expire during the period. The assumption is that voters will replace both. But who knows? Together they constitute several million dollars essential to our survival on this journey to the future.
On the expense side is a zero increase in wages for the coming year and a modest increase over the period. An 18% increase in health costs for this year followed by 12% increases the remaining years is in line with national statistics. Unless---well, who knows what’s behind the health care cost door?
Open enrollment is a $750,000 annual cost. Community School costs are $300,000. Alternative School costs $80,000. Add to that Washington County Juvenile Center tuition of $50,000. PSEO costs an additional $50,000. The total expense is over a million dollars to educate students out of our district. Oh, yes, then there is a reduction in federal reimbursement for special programming of $80,000.
The reduction in bus fuel expense is a result of lower costs from the previous projection, but that too could change dramatically as we have seen. There is an increase in staffing costs. Some federal funds completely disappear and those costs must be absorbed by the General Fund.
Federal dollars touted as gifts are as formless as the ghosts of Christmas past when they expire. Financial chicanery on a grand scale committed by experts. More Ponzi schemes anyone? Government plays them best. And it’s legal when they play. And they play with your money.
The point of previewing this journey you are taking is to tell you that in spite of the work done during the past two years attempting to bring new facilities to the district, the overall funding picture is still bleak. As it has been for decades in Ohio. Remember, you were warned that school funding is designed to go broke every 3 to 5 years. Which is why a constant stream of new funds from the voters is required just to keep operating.
New facilities will bring some operational savings but we are 3 years away from seeing those buildings and yet further away from realizing the savings. The only part of this journey you get to control is your votes next Tuesday and in coming years. Will we take this journey in new buildings or old? Will we pour more money into old facilities or leap into the future? Either way, the choice is yours. You get to decide. Enjoy the ride.