Some have asked, "What is the process?" We are using the GSCS protocol for team-based improvement. As you review the protocol you will see that our SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) goal is to reduce the FY 2013 budget by $6.2 million. The five teams that are working are Better Seeking Solutions Teams (BSST). These teams are comprised of individuals who represent you, including administrators, teachers, and classified staff. They are on the second row of the protocol. They are studying the high leverage causes of our budget shortfall that we have control over. They are also going to determine different solutions to the causes. This protocol we're using came from the Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI).
So, let's address some rumors.
Rumor #1: Gifted program is moving back to elementary schools.
My view: This is the time to reassess our gifted education model. Does it serve our gifted students everyday in the best way possible? How well has it helped our students? Is there a better way to meet each child's need? Is there a more effective funding model for more FTE dollars? Are we letting our current good model get in the way of a great model? I don't know these answers, and the BSST can help answer them.
Rumor #2: Pre-K is moving into the Enrichment Center. That is why Pre-K is on the SPLOST list the Board of Education just approved.
My view: The Board of Education was legally required to act this week if the SPLOST is going to be placed on the ballot in March. We think some improvements to the Enrichment Center will occur because some program will be there. Perhaps gifted. Perhaps Pre-K. We wanted to be upfront with these possible concepts and to allow as much flexibility as possible. If no program is in that building, we will skip the project and use the education SPLOST funds (if approved) on other projects on our Five-Year Facility Plan.
Rumor #3: Moore Elementary and Beaverbrook Elementary are on the list for consolidation. That is why they are not on the education SPLOST project list.
My view: WHAT?!?! We don't have the capacity to close two schools - at least I don't think so. Moore Elementary and Beaverbrook Elementary are included on the Five-Year Facility plan. In addition, I've had employees at other schools tell me that their school will be closed. If the BSSTs recommend consolidation, we will use a justifiable process. These two schools are not on the education SPLOST project list because we anticipate collecting only $25 million over three years. Both of these schools were reroofed recently. Please don't let your fears run wild.
Some BSST members have said, "I don't want to decide anything that will cause people to lose their job." You can't say you want to be included, and then not want to make a recommendation, that you'd rather just be told what to do. We can't have it both ways.
I also think it is unfair to say, "You already know what you're going to do and the BSST are not really going to be listened to for advice." We have worked hard to make this an open process with open communication, but the subject is messy. I am committed to listening to everyone, but we all should remember that this isn't a vote. I am charged to make a recommendation to the Board of Education, and the BSST is the protocol I am using to form my recommendations.
This is a difficult time. Some are calling school board members now. Others are making things up. I understand. The unknown is scary. I ask that you look at what we have done and said over the last two years. When times get tough, we respond by going back to what we know:
- Many know distrust of Central Office.
- Many know looking out for number one.
- Many know what was done twenty years ago.
But I know my heart. I know our efforts to be open and transparent. I know our efforts to build trust. I know the culture we are trying to build and maintain. That is why we are going through this process in this way.
This is hard. Some will not like all of my recommendations or the Board of Education's decisions. But I am committed to doing what's right. I dare myself to stay true to this, and I dare you to join us.
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A note about the proposed School SPLOST IV (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax)
During a called board of education meeting on Tuesday, the board approved my recommendation to ask Spalding County voters to vote on a proposed School SPLOST IV, which would continue the 1 penny sales tax for schools currently in effect. It would raise between $25 and $30 million over a three year period and would fund technology improvements and facility renovations and upgrades starting July 2012.
I would like to give you some background on the proposed School SPLOST IV project list. About 15 years ago, we made a commitment to Griffin-Spalding citizens that we would get our facilities up to a better standard and that we would not allow them to deteriorate.
The idea of doing School SPLOST IV started over a year ago as we studied what to do when the current School SPLOST III ends. Discussions last year were that we would like to continue it and a project list needed to be developed. We're now at the point where some of the schools that have been built and/or renovated at that 15-year mark need some updating.
The board of education approved the state-required 5-Year Facility Plan at its June 7, 2011, meeting. Our facility plan was then approved by the state on July 21, 2011. It's our idea of what projects need to be done to get every building to an acceptable level. We also need to respond to changes in technology.
The proposed School SPLOST IV is a small subset of that Five-Year Facility Plan. It covers about $25 million worth of projects that we believe would best help us during this next 3-year period. Some expressed concerns that the School SPLOST IV didn't cover all schools. We understand those concerns and would have liked to include more projects. However, when comparing a 5-year SPLOST to a 3-year School SPLOST based upon our current funding situation, we believed the short one would demonstrate to voters that we're asking for only what is needed to maintain our facilities and to prepare 21st century classrooms.
It was a close board of education vote, and I thank them for allowing us to move forward. I wanted to share these School SPLOST IV details because you are critical to its success, and I believe the more you know about it the more you can tell your families, friends, and others why we need facility and technology upgrades.
I know that without the passage of School SPLOST IV it will be more difficult for us to Dare to do Better. Resources are needed. We need the community to help us. We need you to help.
Curtis
the gscs
