The Superintendent's Message
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www.nesd.k12.pa.us Spring 2011 The Superintendent’s Message As you know, our district has a new vision. It is 100% of our students will graduate and be fully prepared for a post secondary education. This is the vision that guides our work with children here at Northeastern. As our board and administrators work to prepare this year’s budget, we have realized the results of a down turned economy and the negative circumstances that will certainly occur as a result of dwindling school funding sources. Since budget meetings began in December, our board and administration has been working to close a $4.5 million dollar deficit. As a result of the Governor’s proposed budget for the 2011-2012 year, the district is slated to receive $660,000 less in state funding as compared to last year. This has made our deficit even larger. However, even with this additional decrease in funding, our goal remains to do whatever it takes to keep this vision at the forefront as we make important budgetary decisions. Our board is keenly aware of the circumstances many of our families currently find themselves in as a result of a loss of income, rising gas prices, increased grocery bills, and health care costs. As a result, the Northeastern School District’s Board of School Directors unanimously voted to limit any real estate tax increase to the state adjusted index of 1.9 percent or 23.72 mils, the amount that is mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The board must make a final decision on how much of the 1.9% index they will use in the way of a tax increase for next year, in their final budget submitted to the state by June 30, 2011. It should be noted, this index is less than the total tax increase which was levied on our community for the current school year. As a result, if the board decides to levy a tax increase, it is guaranteed to be less than the tax increase that was levied for the current school year. At the April 4, 2011 board meeting, the board accepted a wage freeze from all of the administrators in the district for the 2011- 2012 school year. This wage freeze will result in a $100,000 gross savings and includes the superintendent, all central office administrators, and principals. The administrators felt they needed to support the difficult economic circumstances our district and community are experiencing, and that taking a wage freeze might be one way to continue supporting the educational ser- vices we provide to our students. The board also approved a debt restructuring plan that will reduce the district’s debt service payments by a minimum of $1 million in the 2011-12 school year. The actual debt restructuring plan option will be selected and approved at a future public school board meeting prior to June 30. In addition, the district currently has enacted a hiring freeze and a budget freeze. We are only approving expenditures that are absolutely essential to the district’s operational functioning, and are only replacing essential employees. Currently, the district plans to reduce the total number of teachers by at least 10. We are doing this by not replacing most retirements and resignations. Last year, we began reducing our total work force by not replacing one ad- ministrative position, three teaching positions, and two support staff positions. So by the end of this school year, the district will have reduced its workforce by at least 16 positions. We will also be transferring teachers within the elementary division to ad- dress classrooms with higher class sizes. However, the reality in a downturned economy is that as a result of not replacing teachers, there may be some changes in programming and some increases in class size. The board will review the details of a proposed final budget this spring at Finance Committee meetings. The public is invited to attend those meetings which are scheduled for Monday, April 11 at 6:30 PM and Monday, April 25, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Both meetings will be held at the district’s administration building (41 Harding Street, Manchester.) The final 2011-12 budget must be approved by June 30. I encourage the public to become a part of the budget conversation at these meetings as we all work together to align resources to fulfill our vision of 100% of our students will graduate and be fully prepared for a post-secondary education. Sincerely, Page 2 Northeastern Hi-Lites New Volunteer Clearances Policy As part of the district’s ongoing efforts to ensure student safety, a new volunteer policy will be effective at the start of the 2011-12 school year. The district’s Safe Schools Committee is following a recommendation from the PA State Auditor General’s Office, which requires all volunteers to undergo both a Child Welfare and a PA Criminal Background Check. Those who volunteer more than 10 hours per week and are in direct contact with students must also undergo a tuberculosis test. The new volunteer application will be posted on the district website (www.nesd.k12.pa.us) and will be available in your child’s school office in May after the Board of School Directors completes the policy adoption process. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Whether you are a new volunteer or have been volunteering within in the district for years, you must complete the new application. Clearances do not have to be renewed unless there is a break of service of a year or more. Please understand that the majority of districts in York County require volunteers to obtain these clearances. Reviewing clearances allows the district to ensure the adults working with our students do not have criminal backgrounds. The Northeastern School District wishes to take the necessary steps to maintain a safe school environment for our students. Examples of Volunteers Requiring Clearances: Examples of Volunteers NOT Requiring Clearances: Classroom Helpers, Tutors, Field Trip Volunteers, Junior Achievement Presenters, Guest Speakers, Chaperones, Book Fair Volunteers, Kid Writing Volunteers Fundraising Distributors DATE CHANGE FOR NMS Hosts Academic THE 2011 TAX BILLS Pep Rally The real estate tax bills will be issued two weeks earlier than in the previous years. Students at Northeastern Middle School got This change modifies the timeframes for discount, face, and penalty collections. Below a chance to be crazy and show their Bobcat is the 2010 versus the 2011 collection periods: Pride at an all school Academic Pep Rally just before PSSA testing in March. The rally 2010 2011 recognized academic groups, leadership clubs, and the individual achievements of Discount July 15—September 15 July 1—September 1 students. Students who had perfect atten- dance and achieved S.T.A.R. Awards status Face September 16—November 15 September 2—November 1 (celebrates behavioral and academic suc- cess) were also honored. Penalty November 16—December 31 November 2—December 31 Over 90 students were selected to partici- In addition, the installment payment dates would change from September 15, October pate in various relays and events throughout 15 and November 15 to September 1, October 1 and November 1. If you have any the assembly, such as the balloon pop, questions, please feel free to contact the Business Office at (717) 266-3667. plunger race, office chair relay, and more. Staff members provided fun entertainment by singing, rapping, dancing, and telling jokes to the crowd of students. New Elementary Writing Program Earlier in the school year, students in Mr. On Monday, March 7 the Board of School Directors voted to adopt Johnson’s eighth grade history class started The Writing Academy as a resource to support the first through sixth a fundraiser for The Wounded Warrior Pro- grade writing curriculum. Led by Ms. Karen Clifford and Mrs. Chris- ject. Word spread, and the entire school tine Rine, teachers in each of these grades spent the first half of the participated, raising $1,868.40. A large school year piloting and discussing two different writing programs check presentation was held with a soldier before recommending The Writing Academy to the Board of School from the Wounded Warrior Project during Directors. the rally. The Writing Academy covers four styles of writing including narrative, persuasive, clas- sificatory, and how-to. The program is vertically aligned, which will assist students as they transition and grow their writing skills from one grade to the next. Graphic organiz- ers help student organize their thoughts prior to beginning the formal writing process. Students learn to write interesting, organized, and focused papers while at the same time focusing on grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. Children develop confidence as writers as they are encouraged and supported to allow their individual personality and voice to become a part of their writing. In order to make this curriculum initiative a success, training will be provided to the staff prior to implementing the pro- gram next year, and there will be ongoing training as well. Teachers are excited to im- plement this new resource as they continue to work to make our students better writers. Page 3 Winter Sports Season in Review By Bryan Stephens, Athletic Director The winter season was a huge success for all of our varsity athletic teams. Northeastern saw a number of teams and individuals enjoy post-season success. In swimming and diving, Coach Dan Schaeberle saw a big increase in participation numbers on the boys and girls teams. Many swimmers were out for the first time and did a great job with their first year in the pool.