Just so you know...
a message from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones
As we prepare to begin winter break, I hope you will enjoy the time away and find ways to relax. This year has been stressful as we've dealt with issues, many of which are beyond our control.
But, you're doing a great job! Our students are receiving the very best instruction and care from you. You're continuing to dare to do better! Thank you!
This week I'd like to discuss three issues I've heard as I've gone from school to school presenting the latest cost reduction and School SPLOST information.
- Elementary school consolidation.
- The creation of a new position at Central Office for next school year.
- Cost reduction efforts aimed for Central Office.
Let's begin with the consolidation of elementary schools.
As you know, one of the cost-reduction ideas a team studied was to consolidate smaller schools. The team identified six schools and was able to quantify the range of savings, depending on which school closed, to be somewhere between $450K and $640K.
At the board of education retreat, held in our board of education meeting room February 11, board members heard details and research behind all of the cost-reduction recommendations, including this one of consolidating smaller schools.
At the retreat's conclusion, we decided not move forward with closing an elementary school for the next school year. Since none of the 11 elementary schools would be closed next year, there was still a need for 11 principals next year. Therefore we are now advertising for a principal for both Jackson Road Elementary and Moore Elementary School.
We do have concerns that if the School SPLOST (March 6 election) does not pass, additional funding problems could be created, and this decision may have to be reassessed. However, I'm very optimistic about School SPLOST, so we have decided not to move forward with closing an elementary school next school year.
The other 14 cost reduction recommendations are moving forward, and I intend to make those recommendations at the February 28 Board of Education meeting.
The second issue is the perception that a new position was created at Central Office.
Let me start with telling you about when Denise Burrell's position changed from Assistant Superintendent to Deputy Superintendent some time ago. Her duties and responsibilities changed to meet the demands of what we needed. Therefore, her title changed. She didn't make more money. She didn't get more days to work. I don't see that as a new position. I see that change reflecting what was needed. Central Office did not increase in size.
The same thing is happening with the position of Director of School/System Improvement. For a number of years, we've had three curriculum directors - elementary, middle and high school.
After their visit in November, SACS recommended to stop operating in silos and to become more K-12 focused.
Those three curriculum positions have now been re-titled, redefined, and repurposed and will go into effect on July 1, 2012.
This is what it will look like:
- The position of Elementary Curriculum Director will become the position of Director of K-12 Curriculum and Instruction. This position is currently held by Mrs. Ashley Crawford.
- The position of Middle School Curriculum / Special Education Director will become the position of Director of Data Analysis and Program Evaluation. This position is currently held by Mrs. Shelia Mincey.
- The position of High School Curriculum Director will become the position of Director of School/System Improvement. Laura Youmans, currently the director of high school curriculum, is transferring to the Director of School Nutrition position to replace our retiring School Nutrition Director, Mrs. Mary Ramsaier. Mrs. Sara Jones, currently the principal of Jackson Road Elementary, will fill the position of School/System Improvement.
These three positions will have new titles and revised duties and responsibilities. There are no new positions at Central Office. In addition, salaries did not increase, so expenses did not increase.
So, I don't see these as new positions. I see this as a reflection of our new reality and what we need to continuously improve and act on SACS recommendations.
The third issue: "Why didn't we have a cost reduction committee look at Central Office?"
In truth, we have since the first cost-savings committees met three years ago. Let me explain.
- Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services:
When I was named Superintendent I was serving as the Assistant Superintendent. At that time, we combined the position with the Director of Finance position. So instead of having two individual positions we have one. Jim Smith is now Assistant Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer.
- Teaching and Learning:
We did not replace the Director of Teacher Quality. We also combined the Director of Middle Grades Curriculum with the Director of Special Education to be one position when Dr. Cynthia Anderson retired.
- Human Resources is using a different method to help us cut costs with our benefits package. If you compare this coming year's benefits to last year, you're going to see large savings. Alexander & Company has found ways to provide us high quality products at a lower cost. The department was also reduced by one half position.
- Maintenance: Bruce Ballard has consistently reevaluated how many custodians we need based on school square footage. We have reduced our custodial numbers. We also have reorganized this department and left many positions unfilled.
- Transportation: This is where the idea of staggered start times came from. We were able to reduce the number of busses and drivers that we needed by implementing that measure.
- Psychological Services did not fill a secretarial position after a retirement.
- Student Services did not fill an open secretary position.
In total, we have reduced central office and central support staff by 14.5 positions. This resulted in a decrease in salaries and benefit costs totaling $948,000 since 2008.
So that's why we didn't have a cost reduction committee for Central Office at this time. Looking at size and operation of our Central Office was one of the first things we did, and we've been taking actions to save money and to be more effective.
Thank you for listening to me as I've presented cost reduction information to schools.
I remain optimistic that we are going to come out of this okay. From what I'm seeing the cloud is starting to lift. We are coming closer to daybreak. By sharing this information with you today I hope you see the best is yet to come!
Have a great weekend!
Curtis | 
