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3/18/2010
- Hispanic Advisory Council3/23/2010
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4/12/2010
4/13/2010
27J News
School District 27J prepares for state budget cuts
School District 27J – along with all districts in Colorado – is embarking on unfamiliar territory: extreme budgets cuts as the result of shortfalls in state revenue. Even as we continue to be a growing district and will welcome new students – projections are for 766 new students next year, 835 the year after that and about 1,000 the year after that -- the cuts are imminent.
The state picture
Over the course of this fiscal year and the next two, the State of Colorado is making $2.2 billion in cuts to its budget.
Public K-12 education is the largest line item in the state budget and accounts for 43 percent of state’s general fund allocations. School District 27J accounts for 2 percent of that.
In 27J
This school year, the 27J budget was cut $2.1 million and may be cut an additional $300,000 to $400,000 before the fiscal year is over.
In 27J
This school year, the 27J budget was cut $2.1 million and may be cut an additional $300,000 to $400,000 before the fiscal year is over.
Next year, 27J will see $9 million in cuts. The following year, 27J expects $8.5 million in cuts.
In announcing new budgeting guidelines and parameters, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rod Blunck said, “We still have to take care of the people and we still have to produce high-quality results.
“Our primary goal is to educate kids. That has to be the driver for all we do.”
What’s next
In February, the district sent surveys to hundreds of people asking for their input on priorities. All staff and 400 community members had the opportunity to express their preferences by rating 40 different possibilities for increasing revenue and reducing expenses.
The feedback received from staff and community is guiding the tough decisions.
Dr. Blunck shared the following cost-savings / revenue generating tactics to be implemented.
Cost-savings measures
- Increase class size elementary grades from 19.5 to 23:1 and secondary grades from 20.5 to 24:1
- Eliminate paraprofessional substitutes except as required in special education
- Reduce work days for teachers on special assignments (TOSAs)
- Reduce school administrative and support staff
- Eliminate night school previously offered at Brighton Heritage Academy
- Adjust amount of custodial support
- Reduce administrative and support personnel at the Educational Services Center in line with or greater than reductions in schools
- Reduce support overtime in the ESC by 75 percent
- Reduce certain teaching stipends
- Reduce administrator professional growth opportunities
- Reduce by $310,000 supplies and materials costs
- Reduce printing costs by not printing items such as student handbooks and master agreements, post them electronically
- Eliminate district-provided cell phones
Revenue-generating measures
- Institute middle school athletic participation and transportation fees
- Re-introduce academic, athletic and athletic transportation fees at high schools
- Implement strategies to obtain a 5-percent energy-reduction savings
- Reintroduce request for reams of papers in student school supply list or possible paper fee
- Institute transportation fees on routes for non-attendance area students
“To the extent possible, we will work to minimize the ‘human’ costs of these budgetary changes,” Dr. Blunck said.
“Districtwide, employees in all arenas work hard to make a difference for every child, every day,” Dr. Blunck said. “We are seeing great results with our increased graduation rates, improved assessment scores, adequate yearly progress. It is evident that our mission of educating every student is never far from our thoughts.
“Even while the financial landscape changes, our resolve to meet our mission must remain the same. School District 27J exists solely to educate our students, to prepare them for present and future success.”
Lt. Gov. celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday at Pennock
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien read to students at Pennock Elementary School during Read Across America day March 2. The annual event, coordinated locally by Sharyl Kay Lawson, celebrates Dr. Seuss and the magic of reaching his books bring to children. O'Brien graciouslly filled in for Gov. Bill Ritter who was hurt in a bicycling accident early that day. The students presented Lt. Gov. O'Brien with handmade get-well cards to pass along to the governor.
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien read to students at Pennock Elementary School during Read Across America day March 2. The annual event, coordinated locally by Sharyl Kay Lawson, celebrates Dr. Seuss and the magic of reaching his books bring to children. O'Brien graciouslly filled in for Gov. Bill Ritter who was hurt in a bicycling accident early that day. The students presented Lt. Gov. O'Brien with handmade get-well cards to pass along to the governor.
27J hosts Retiree Reunion
Get the scoop at this link to the HR page.
We hope to see you.
Please help spread the word!
Get the scoop at this link to the HR page.
We hope to see you.
Please help spread the word!
Planning for the High School Education of tomorrow
Members of the School District 27J team and representatives from DLR Group, architects with expertice in school plannning and design, came together in a public forum on Aug. 29, 2009, to engage in a conversation with community members. The topic: Planning for High Schools of Tomorrow Today. Learn more at link below.
Link to overview and presentions
27J video online
Check out the 27J: Creating World-class Education video on the Web. Look for it in the left-hand navigation bar and also on the Board of Education page.
