How should you vote on Measure W? That depends on
— your assessment of the causes of the current predicament,
— your guesses about future funding stability, and
— your faith in your elected officials and district staff.
I was curious about the history of the present predicament and wanted to analyze the district’s finances. For a while, it was pretty hard to find clear information. EdVoice.com and the state Dept of Ed site are useful resources. A fellow blogger sent me some statistics and Bruce Colby provided detailed information, and I thank both of them. The conclusions here are my own.
Most of the district’s money comes directly from the state, based on the enrollment. Most of the district’s money goes to instructional expenses: teachers, teaching staff, books and supplies.
Myth: enrollment decreases are the cause of the district’s fiscal problems.
Fact: Paid ADA enrollment has dropped less than .3% per year since 2002-3, a total decrease of only 1.6% over the entire 2002-8 period. This is a total reduction of 134 paid ADA students from 2002 to 2007. Enrollment appears to be up a bit this year.
Costs should be proportional to enrollment, as income is. You would expect the district’s expenses to rise by about the rate of inflation (16% overall 2002-7), adjusted for any change in enrollment (down 1.6%).
Based on those criteria, the district budget for 2007 should be about $67.5 million.
The actual (projected) budget for 2007-8 was $73.8 million.
So over the past six years, DJUSD expenses have increased $6.3 million (10%) more than they “should” have. We’ll call this “extra.”
Where did the money go?
So what expenses were rising faster than the rate of inflation (adjusted for enrollment) in DJUSD between 2002 and 2007-8?
Myth: bloated administrative costs are the problem.
Fact: administrative costs actually rose slower than the rate of inflation.
Teacher pay. With a slight decrease in enrollment 2007/2002, certificated salaries increased 20%. Difference over inflation, adjusted for enrollment: $1.8 million “extra.”
The number of teachers, after dropping slightly from 2002 to 2003, remained nearly constant, at least through 2006 (this number is pretty hard to pin down).
Davis teachers are paid, on average, slightly more than the statewide average. Their benefits package is comparable to other districts.
Teacher pay increases in 2005 and 2006 made up for increases in the previous two years that were well below inflation. But the 6% increase in the 2007 budget is a pay increase above the rate of inflation through 2007.
Staff pay. During the same time period (2007/2002), classified salaries increased 23%. Difference over inflation, less enrollment: $0.9 million “extra.”
The biggest increases were in the 2005 and 2006 school years, when certificated and classified salaries increased by 7% and 11% respectively, each year.
Benefits increased 31% 2007/2002: $1.3 million “extra.” According to one board member, DJUSD benefits had been pretty paltry. They are now in line with other school districts.
Books and supplies increased 61%: $1.5 million “extra.”
Services and other operating expenses increased 41%: $1.6 million “extra.”
There was a big jump in Services and other operating expenses in 2006: 27%, a single year increase of nearly $2 million. This includes increases in utility costs ($400,000), special ed transportation, payments to other districts, legal fees, consultants, and settlements. 2006 was a messy year.
Why didn’t they go broke sooner?
Fortunately for the school district, total revenues increased 22% during this time period, so income was actually increasing faster than the rate of inflation as well. DJUSD had nearly $13 million more money total in 2007 vs. 2002.
So what’s the problem? Unfortunately, total expenditures increased 25%: the district spent $14.7 million more.
Two big factors:
Some district expenses are restricted, and the state has been reimbursing less than these cost the district.
The state is not giving ADA cost-of-living increases, at least for 2008, so revenues will dip.
To their credit, the board has proposed an essentially flat budget for 2008-9 that will not even account for inflation. They are not hiring new teachers, nor are they budgeting for a pay increase. Administration has been trimmed. If they can hold the line on the expenses that are within their control, expenses and revenues are expected to balance in 2010 or so. But there is a gap between revenues and expenses for the next two budget years. School districts can’t run a deficit; in fact, they are required to maintain a prudent reserve.
The proposed parcel tax would bridge that gap in revenue with about $2.4 million per year for three years. It would maintain the current budget level and a healthy reserve, allowing the district to weather future state budget crises. It is unlikely that districts will get a full cost-of-living increase in the next couple of state budgets.
If Measure W doesn’t pass, the number of teachers will have to be cut for at least a year or so. That’s where the money goes, so that is what will be cut. Teachers equal programs and low student/teacher ratios. You can quibble about this program or that one, but it is the total number of teachers that matters. Programs would be cut and student/teacher ratios would increase. Since the lower grades are at state-mandated ratios, the effect would fall disproportionately on grades 7 – 12. Enrollment has been increasing in those grades as it declines in the lower grades.
To some degree, this comes down to trust.
As a strong supporter of Valley Oak, and then the charter proposal, I have serious issues with the board’s actions in the last couple of years. Closing Emerson is often discussed. There has been turbulence in the administration. This parcel tax will not be an easy thing to sell, and I share much of the skepticism others have voiced.
Some recommendations:
The district needs to update its web site and provide fiscal information in an easy-to-read manner.
Staffing should be proportional to enrollment. The district should implement a hiring freeze to adjust for the slight enrollment decrease over the last few years.
Expense increases should not exceed the rate of inflation, or the rate reimbursed by the state, whichever is lower.
Those are simple guidelines an oversight committee can enforce.
So if you have faith that this newly-elected school board will keep expenses in check, and will continue to be honest about fiscal issues, you will probably be willing to vote for this parcel tax on a one-time basis. If you are skeptical, talk directly to the board members and staff about your concerns. I think you’ll find them approachable and willing to provide information.
My own thoughts?
I don’t vote here, but as a local property owner I do pay this tax: business parcels are taxed at $120 per year. My kids went to DJUSD K – 12 as interdistrict transfer students. We went out of our way to bring our kids into this district each year for more than 14 years. The teaching quality and program choices here are excellent. Budget cuts would directly affect those.
Unlike the ongoing parcel tax that voters just approved, the board should not expect this tax to be renewed automatically by the voters. There are no guarantees, but the trend lines suggest that it would not be necessary. But with the loss of cost-of-living increases from the state and the continued increase in mandated, under-funded programs, Measure W gives DJUSD breathing room.
Don Shor is a business owner in Davis, owning Redbarn Nursery.
Good article, Don! However, you left out a few things. The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling. Yet not enough (IMHO) safeguards have been put in place to make sure more mismanagement does not happen.
Next – Valley Oak was closed ostensibly because of “declining enrollment”. Turns out enrollment is actually up, not down, as you pointed out (and have repeatedly). So the current School Board/District got it wrong, and closed an entire school for nothing. Now the trust factor comes into play. How can we be expected to trust a School District/Board who made such a huge mistake?
We are told we must save core curricula. But what is “core curricula”. The def’n of the DJUSD includes every program as core curricula that must be saved. That would include Da Vinci, Mandarin Chinese 4, Crunch Lunch Salad Bar (with paid extra staff to man it, and special cooking lessons for staff), etc. – you name it, its essential. Many of us do not agree that these programs are “essential” in tough budgetary times. Most of us have to forego dining out if our budgets are tight!
The survival of Emerson is of great concern to many, many citizens. Yet the DJUSD has refused to say that if we pass the parcel tax, Emerson will not be closed. Folks do not like this sort of extortion – a tacit threat that if Measure W is not passed, Emerson will surely be closed. The fact of the matter is Emerson was slated for closure already, and I suspect the DJUSD is still in that mode of thinking, whether we pass Measure W or not.
It should also be noted that the DJUSD has been able to save $1.1 million in administrative cuts, and about $200K in energy conservation measures, at the same time when they adamantly insisted there wasn’t any way of saving any more money. Again the trust factor comes into play.
Where is the oversight? From an oversight committee handpicked by the School Board/District? That is not oversight in my book.
I could go on and on, because this same scenario has played out in the Davis school system over the years again and again. Any time the school district runs out of money, for any reason, they come hat in hand to the taxpayers for more. What they want is a blank check w no accountability. NONE. We are expected to trust them completely, after the Tahir Ahad debacle, the Murphy pay for no work scandal, the King High mess where they could not explain where the money went, the Valley Oak closure for nothing outrage…you get my drift.
Then I have to ask myself, OK, if we pony up for another parcel tax, knowing that the school district has been irresponsible before, what keeps them from asking for more in another 6 months, when they run out of money again? And next year, and the next? Because as you have said, Don, the fiscal picture looks bleak for the next two or three years at least.
If we cough up the $120 for the next 3 years, does anyone think that will actually sunset in 3 years as scheduled? When state funds are not forthcoming next year, then what? Another parcel tax? Someone predicted Measure R, which sure enough morphed into W, so how can we not predict Measure T, U and V, which will morph into X, Y and Z? When does it end? If it doesn’t, then maybe we need to think of a better way to fund our schools than the bandaid approach.
Why were Woodland schools able to weather the storm, w no teacher layoffs, yet we were going to lay off nearly 100 teachers in Davis? That is a huge discrepancy that has not been answered satisfactorily for me. Not only that, look at the brand new Pioneer High School – and our makeshift DHS, that looks more like beach shack w slews of portable classroom type structures.
Elk Grove also has beautiful schools. Why is that? Is there something that Davis could be doing differently? Could it be that Davis’s anti-business stance is finally costing our schools? I am not saying that is the reason, I am searching for answers why Davis was hit so hard, while other school systems weathered the state budget storm so-o-o-o much better. In short, I find it very difficult to place any trust in our current administration/School Board. Trust needs to be earned – and all I have witnessed is sheer arrogance, mismanagement, misprojections and obfuscation.
Frankly, I am not convinced the parcel tax is so much the issue, as it is the lack of trust in our school officials. And that lack of trust has been earned. To say “we must not punish the kids for the mismanagement of past school officials” just doesn’t cut it. Valley Oak was closed unnecessarily on the current school district/board’s watch, which just seems to be a continuation of “more of the same” – i.e. business as usual.
WHERE IS THERE SERIOUS CHANGE TO GET BACK THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN LOST?
Good article, Don! However, you left out a few things. The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling. Yet not enough (IMHO) safeguards have been put in place to make sure more mismanagement does not happen.
Next – Valley Oak was closed ostensibly because of “declining enrollment”. Turns out enrollment is actually up, not down, as you pointed out (and have repeatedly). So the current School Board/District got it wrong, and closed an entire school for nothing. Now the trust factor comes into play. How can we be expected to trust a School District/Board who made such a huge mistake?
We are told we must save core curricula. But what is “core curricula”. The def’n of the DJUSD includes every program as core curricula that must be saved. That would include Da Vinci, Mandarin Chinese 4, Crunch Lunch Salad Bar (with paid extra staff to man it, and special cooking lessons for staff), etc. – you name it, its essential. Many of us do not agree that these programs are “essential” in tough budgetary times. Most of us have to forego dining out if our budgets are tight!
The survival of Emerson is of great concern to many, many citizens. Yet the DJUSD has refused to say that if we pass the parcel tax, Emerson will not be closed. Folks do not like this sort of extortion – a tacit threat that if Measure W is not passed, Emerson will surely be closed. The fact of the matter is Emerson was slated for closure already, and I suspect the DJUSD is still in that mode of thinking, whether we pass Measure W or not.
It should also be noted that the DJUSD has been able to save $1.1 million in administrative cuts, and about $200K in energy conservation measures, at the same time when they adamantly insisted there wasn’t any way of saving any more money. Again the trust factor comes into play.
Where is the oversight? From an oversight committee handpicked by the School Board/District? That is not oversight in my book.
I could go on and on, because this same scenario has played out in the Davis school system over the years again and again. Any time the school district runs out of money, for any reason, they come hat in hand to the taxpayers for more. What they want is a blank check w no accountability. NONE. We are expected to trust them completely, after the Tahir Ahad debacle, the Murphy pay for no work scandal, the King High mess where they could not explain where the money went, the Valley Oak closure for nothing outrage…you get my drift.
Then I have to ask myself, OK, if we pony up for another parcel tax, knowing that the school district has been irresponsible before, what keeps them from asking for more in another 6 months, when they run out of money again? And next year, and the next? Because as you have said, Don, the fiscal picture looks bleak for the next two or three years at least.
If we cough up the $120 for the next 3 years, does anyone think that will actually sunset in 3 years as scheduled? When state funds are not forthcoming next year, then what? Another parcel tax? Someone predicted Measure R, which sure enough morphed into W, so how can we not predict Measure T, U and V, which will morph into X, Y and Z? When does it end? If it doesn’t, then maybe we need to think of a better way to fund our schools than the bandaid approach.
Why were Woodland schools able to weather the storm, w no teacher layoffs, yet we were going to lay off nearly 100 teachers in Davis? That is a huge discrepancy that has not been answered satisfactorily for me. Not only that, look at the brand new Pioneer High School – and our makeshift DHS, that looks more like beach shack w slews of portable classroom type structures.
Elk Grove also has beautiful schools. Why is that? Is there something that Davis could be doing differently? Could it be that Davis’s anti-business stance is finally costing our schools? I am not saying that is the reason, I am searching for answers why Davis was hit so hard, while other school systems weathered the state budget storm so-o-o-o much better. In short, I find it very difficult to place any trust in our current administration/School Board. Trust needs to be earned – and all I have witnessed is sheer arrogance, mismanagement, misprojections and obfuscation.
Frankly, I am not convinced the parcel tax is so much the issue, as it is the lack of trust in our school officials. And that lack of trust has been earned. To say “we must not punish the kids for the mismanagement of past school officials” just doesn’t cut it. Valley Oak was closed unnecessarily on the current school district/board’s watch, which just seems to be a continuation of “more of the same” – i.e. business as usual.
WHERE IS THERE SERIOUS CHANGE TO GET BACK THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN LOST?
Good article, Don! However, you left out a few things. The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling. Yet not enough (IMHO) safeguards have been put in place to make sure more mismanagement does not happen.
Next – Valley Oak was closed ostensibly because of “declining enrollment”. Turns out enrollment is actually up, not down, as you pointed out (and have repeatedly). So the current School Board/District got it wrong, and closed an entire school for nothing. Now the trust factor comes into play. How can we be expected to trust a School District/Board who made such a huge mistake?
We are told we must save core curricula. But what is “core curricula”. The def’n of the DJUSD includes every program as core curricula that must be saved. That would include Da Vinci, Mandarin Chinese 4, Crunch Lunch Salad Bar (with paid extra staff to man it, and special cooking lessons for staff), etc. – you name it, its essential. Many of us do not agree that these programs are “essential” in tough budgetary times. Most of us have to forego dining out if our budgets are tight!
The survival of Emerson is of great concern to many, many citizens. Yet the DJUSD has refused to say that if we pass the parcel tax, Emerson will not be closed. Folks do not like this sort of extortion – a tacit threat that if Measure W is not passed, Emerson will surely be closed. The fact of the matter is Emerson was slated for closure already, and I suspect the DJUSD is still in that mode of thinking, whether we pass Measure W or not.
It should also be noted that the DJUSD has been able to save $1.1 million in administrative cuts, and about $200K in energy conservation measures, at the same time when they adamantly insisted there wasn’t any way of saving any more money. Again the trust factor comes into play.
Where is the oversight? From an oversight committee handpicked by the School Board/District? That is not oversight in my book.
I could go on and on, because this same scenario has played out in the Davis school system over the years again and again. Any time the school district runs out of money, for any reason, they come hat in hand to the taxpayers for more. What they want is a blank check w no accountability. NONE. We are expected to trust them completely, after the Tahir Ahad debacle, the Murphy pay for no work scandal, the King High mess where they could not explain where the money went, the Valley Oak closure for nothing outrage…you get my drift.
Then I have to ask myself, OK, if we pony up for another parcel tax, knowing that the school district has been irresponsible before, what keeps them from asking for more in another 6 months, when they run out of money again? And next year, and the next? Because as you have said, Don, the fiscal picture looks bleak for the next two or three years at least.
If we cough up the $120 for the next 3 years, does anyone think that will actually sunset in 3 years as scheduled? When state funds are not forthcoming next year, then what? Another parcel tax? Someone predicted Measure R, which sure enough morphed into W, so how can we not predict Measure T, U and V, which will morph into X, Y and Z? When does it end? If it doesn’t, then maybe we need to think of a better way to fund our schools than the bandaid approach.
Why were Woodland schools able to weather the storm, w no teacher layoffs, yet we were going to lay off nearly 100 teachers in Davis? That is a huge discrepancy that has not been answered satisfactorily for me. Not only that, look at the brand new Pioneer High School – and our makeshift DHS, that looks more like beach shack w slews of portable classroom type structures.
Elk Grove also has beautiful schools. Why is that? Is there something that Davis could be doing differently? Could it be that Davis’s anti-business stance is finally costing our schools? I am not saying that is the reason, I am searching for answers why Davis was hit so hard, while other school systems weathered the state budget storm so-o-o-o much better. In short, I find it very difficult to place any trust in our current administration/School Board. Trust needs to be earned – and all I have witnessed is sheer arrogance, mismanagement, misprojections and obfuscation.
Frankly, I am not convinced the parcel tax is so much the issue, as it is the lack of trust in our school officials. And that lack of trust has been earned. To say “we must not punish the kids for the mismanagement of past school officials” just doesn’t cut it. Valley Oak was closed unnecessarily on the current school district/board’s watch, which just seems to be a continuation of “more of the same” – i.e. business as usual.
WHERE IS THERE SERIOUS CHANGE TO GET BACK THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN LOST?
Good article, Don! However, you left out a few things. The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling. Yet not enough (IMHO) safeguards have been put in place to make sure more mismanagement does not happen.
Next – Valley Oak was closed ostensibly because of “declining enrollment”. Turns out enrollment is actually up, not down, as you pointed out (and have repeatedly). So the current School Board/District got it wrong, and closed an entire school for nothing. Now the trust factor comes into play. How can we be expected to trust a School District/Board who made such a huge mistake?
We are told we must save core curricula. But what is “core curricula”. The def’n of the DJUSD includes every program as core curricula that must be saved. That would include Da Vinci, Mandarin Chinese 4, Crunch Lunch Salad Bar (with paid extra staff to man it, and special cooking lessons for staff), etc. – you name it, its essential. Many of us do not agree that these programs are “essential” in tough budgetary times. Most of us have to forego dining out if our budgets are tight!
The survival of Emerson is of great concern to many, many citizens. Yet the DJUSD has refused to say that if we pass the parcel tax, Emerson will not be closed. Folks do not like this sort of extortion – a tacit threat that if Measure W is not passed, Emerson will surely be closed. The fact of the matter is Emerson was slated for closure already, and I suspect the DJUSD is still in that mode of thinking, whether we pass Measure W or not.
It should also be noted that the DJUSD has been able to save $1.1 million in administrative cuts, and about $200K in energy conservation measures, at the same time when they adamantly insisted there wasn’t any way of saving any more money. Again the trust factor comes into play.
Where is the oversight? From an oversight committee handpicked by the School Board/District? That is not oversight in my book.
I could go on and on, because this same scenario has played out in the Davis school system over the years again and again. Any time the school district runs out of money, for any reason, they come hat in hand to the taxpayers for more. What they want is a blank check w no accountability. NONE. We are expected to trust them completely, after the Tahir Ahad debacle, the Murphy pay for no work scandal, the King High mess where they could not explain where the money went, the Valley Oak closure for nothing outrage…you get my drift.
Then I have to ask myself, OK, if we pony up for another parcel tax, knowing that the school district has been irresponsible before, what keeps them from asking for more in another 6 months, when they run out of money again? And next year, and the next? Because as you have said, Don, the fiscal picture looks bleak for the next two or three years at least.
If we cough up the $120 for the next 3 years, does anyone think that will actually sunset in 3 years as scheduled? When state funds are not forthcoming next year, then what? Another parcel tax? Someone predicted Measure R, which sure enough morphed into W, so how can we not predict Measure T, U and V, which will morph into X, Y and Z? When does it end? If it doesn’t, then maybe we need to think of a better way to fund our schools than the bandaid approach.
Why were Woodland schools able to weather the storm, w no teacher layoffs, yet we were going to lay off nearly 100 teachers in Davis? That is a huge discrepancy that has not been answered satisfactorily for me. Not only that, look at the brand new Pioneer High School – and our makeshift DHS, that looks more like beach shack w slews of portable classroom type structures.
Elk Grove also has beautiful schools. Why is that? Is there something that Davis could be doing differently? Could it be that Davis’s anti-business stance is finally costing our schools? I am not saying that is the reason, I am searching for answers why Davis was hit so hard, while other school systems weathered the state budget storm so-o-o-o much better. In short, I find it very difficult to place any trust in our current administration/School Board. Trust needs to be earned – and all I have witnessed is sheer arrogance, mismanagement, misprojections and obfuscation.
Frankly, I am not convinced the parcel tax is so much the issue, as it is the lack of trust in our school officials. And that lack of trust has been earned. To say “we must not punish the kids for the mismanagement of past school officials” just doesn’t cut it. Valley Oak was closed unnecessarily on the current school district/board’s watch, which just seems to be a continuation of “more of the same” – i.e. business as usual.
WHERE IS THERE SERIOUS CHANGE TO GET BACK THE TRUST THAT HAS BEEN LOST?
Don,
Nice article. I disagree with one statement:
Programs would be cut and student/teacher ratios would increase. Since the lower grades are at state-mandated ratios, the effect would fall disproportionately on grades 7 – 12.
The way the Measure W parcel tax is structured, and the way the cuts were targeted last Spring, grades K-6 would actually take the bigger hit in cuts than grades 7-8, if the district would ultimately choose to cut what isn’t funded by Measure W.
The three programs most frequently mentioned that are proposed for Measure W are elementary science, elementary music, and librarians.
Librarians are assigned on a per campus basis at .5 FTE. There are more elementary campuses than secondary campuses, so ultimately there are more elementary librarians than secondary.
There is at least one elementary science teacher per elementary campus (some larger elementaries have a bit more than 1 full-time equivalent teacher).
There are four elementary music teachers.
Using the funding scheme that DSF ultimately used last spring, that would account for 17 full time elementary teaching positions (17 FTE).
Most of the other funded areas listed for Measure W go to secondary programs. The total amount of the parcel tax has been mentioned to fund 25-27 teachers. Doing the math, you could see that the elementary program would be hit with cuts a little more than secondary.
Also, the district has indicated that recent increases in enrollment have occurred more in elementary grades, but those figures will come out in 3-4 weeks.
Don,
Nice article. I disagree with one statement:
Programs would be cut and student/teacher ratios would increase. Since the lower grades are at state-mandated ratios, the effect would fall disproportionately on grades 7 – 12.
The way the Measure W parcel tax is structured, and the way the cuts were targeted last Spring, grades K-6 would actually take the bigger hit in cuts than grades 7-8, if the district would ultimately choose to cut what isn’t funded by Measure W.
The three programs most frequently mentioned that are proposed for Measure W are elementary science, elementary music, and librarians.
Librarians are assigned on a per campus basis at .5 FTE. There are more elementary campuses than secondary campuses, so ultimately there are more elementary librarians than secondary.
There is at least one elementary science teacher per elementary campus (some larger elementaries have a bit more than 1 full-time equivalent teacher).
There are four elementary music teachers.
Using the funding scheme that DSF ultimately used last spring, that would account for 17 full time elementary teaching positions (17 FTE).
Most of the other funded areas listed for Measure W go to secondary programs. The total amount of the parcel tax has been mentioned to fund 25-27 teachers. Doing the math, you could see that the elementary program would be hit with cuts a little more than secondary.
Also, the district has indicated that recent increases in enrollment have occurred more in elementary grades, but those figures will come out in 3-4 weeks.
Don,
Nice article. I disagree with one statement:
Programs would be cut and student/teacher ratios would increase. Since the lower grades are at state-mandated ratios, the effect would fall disproportionately on grades 7 – 12.
The way the Measure W parcel tax is structured, and the way the cuts were targeted last Spring, grades K-6 would actually take the bigger hit in cuts than grades 7-8, if the district would ultimately choose to cut what isn’t funded by Measure W.
The three programs most frequently mentioned that are proposed for Measure W are elementary science, elementary music, and librarians.
Librarians are assigned on a per campus basis at .5 FTE. There are more elementary campuses than secondary campuses, so ultimately there are more elementary librarians than secondary.
There is at least one elementary science teacher per elementary campus (some larger elementaries have a bit more than 1 full-time equivalent teacher).
There are four elementary music teachers.
Using the funding scheme that DSF ultimately used last spring, that would account for 17 full time elementary teaching positions (17 FTE).
Most of the other funded areas listed for Measure W go to secondary programs. The total amount of the parcel tax has been mentioned to fund 25-27 teachers. Doing the math, you could see that the elementary program would be hit with cuts a little more than secondary.
Also, the district has indicated that recent increases in enrollment have occurred more in elementary grades, but those figures will come out in 3-4 weeks.
Don,
Nice article. I disagree with one statement:
Programs would be cut and student/teacher ratios would increase. Since the lower grades are at state-mandated ratios, the effect would fall disproportionately on grades 7 – 12.
The way the Measure W parcel tax is structured, and the way the cuts were targeted last Spring, grades K-6 would actually take the bigger hit in cuts than grades 7-8, if the district would ultimately choose to cut what isn’t funded by Measure W.
The three programs most frequently mentioned that are proposed for Measure W are elementary science, elementary music, and librarians.
Librarians are assigned on a per campus basis at .5 FTE. There are more elementary campuses than secondary campuses, so ultimately there are more elementary librarians than secondary.
There is at least one elementary science teacher per elementary campus (some larger elementaries have a bit more than 1 full-time equivalent teacher).
There are four elementary music teachers.
Using the funding scheme that DSF ultimately used last spring, that would account for 17 full time elementary teaching positions (17 FTE).
Most of the other funded areas listed for Measure W go to secondary programs. The total amount of the parcel tax has been mentioned to fund 25-27 teachers. Doing the math, you could see that the elementary program would be hit with cuts a little more than secondary.
Also, the district has indicated that recent increases in enrollment have occurred more in elementary grades, but those figures will come out in 3-4 weeks.
This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.
This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.
This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.
This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.
“fed up” is again too obsessed with preserving school architecture.
I don’t think that Elk Grove is a desirable comparison. Elk Grove has funded their expansion with a hyperdevelopment model. It depends on sustained growth over several years. With this housing market, that growth has been disrupted. Problems w/ Elk Grove school may only just be starting w/ this state budget mess.
Woodland schools have two credentialed librarians serving the entire district. Libraries are otherwise run by techs who are responsible for checking in and checking out books. Compared to Davis schools, there is very little instruction on using a library, how to do research, very little onsite knowledge of available resources.
Woodland schools don’t have the kind of elementary science program that Davis schools have, and it shows in the test score differential. Economic opportunities for this current generation of students will depend on higher competent knowledge of sciences — engineers, health care professionals (especially for retiring babyboomers), energy resource development, environmental/land use planning, etc. Right now, a surprising number of those job positions have to be filled by recruiting foreign nationals.
“fed up” is again too obsessed with preserving school architecture.
I don’t think that Elk Grove is a desirable comparison. Elk Grove has funded their expansion with a hyperdevelopment model. It depends on sustained growth over several years. With this housing market, that growth has been disrupted. Problems w/ Elk Grove school may only just be starting w/ this state budget mess.
Woodland schools have two credentialed librarians serving the entire district. Libraries are otherwise run by techs who are responsible for checking in and checking out books. Compared to Davis schools, there is very little instruction on using a library, how to do research, very little onsite knowledge of available resources.
Woodland schools don’t have the kind of elementary science program that Davis schools have, and it shows in the test score differential. Economic opportunities for this current generation of students will depend on higher competent knowledge of sciences — engineers, health care professionals (especially for retiring babyboomers), energy resource development, environmental/land use planning, etc. Right now, a surprising number of those job positions have to be filled by recruiting foreign nationals.
“fed up” is again too obsessed with preserving school architecture.
I don’t think that Elk Grove is a desirable comparison. Elk Grove has funded their expansion with a hyperdevelopment model. It depends on sustained growth over several years. With this housing market, that growth has been disrupted. Problems w/ Elk Grove school may only just be starting w/ this state budget mess.
Woodland schools have two credentialed librarians serving the entire district. Libraries are otherwise run by techs who are responsible for checking in and checking out books. Compared to Davis schools, there is very little instruction on using a library, how to do research, very little onsite knowledge of available resources.
Woodland schools don’t have the kind of elementary science program that Davis schools have, and it shows in the test score differential. Economic opportunities for this current generation of students will depend on higher competent knowledge of sciences — engineers, health care professionals (especially for retiring babyboomers), energy resource development, environmental/land use planning, etc. Right now, a surprising number of those job positions have to be filled by recruiting foreign nationals.
“fed up” is again too obsessed with preserving school architecture.
I don’t think that Elk Grove is a desirable comparison. Elk Grove has funded their expansion with a hyperdevelopment model. It depends on sustained growth over several years. With this housing market, that growth has been disrupted. Problems w/ Elk Grove school may only just be starting w/ this state budget mess.
Woodland schools have two credentialed librarians serving the entire district. Libraries are otherwise run by techs who are responsible for checking in and checking out books. Compared to Davis schools, there is very little instruction on using a library, how to do research, very little onsite knowledge of available resources.
Woodland schools don’t have the kind of elementary science program that Davis schools have, and it shows in the test score differential. Economic opportunities for this current generation of students will depend on higher competent knowledge of sciences — engineers, health care professionals (especially for retiring babyboomers), energy resource development, environmental/land use planning, etc. Right now, a surprising number of those job positions have to be filled by recruiting foreign nationals.
“The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling.”
From what I have read and heard that is a false statement. It all boils down to insufficient annual operating income and the void needs to be filled. Yes, you can argue an extra school was built (capital fund) and perhaps the last teachers lacked adequate funding to pay for it (although they deserved it). However, if you look at the numbers (yes you have to do some work and look at the spending detail) Davis does a very good job spending the money where it should be spent – in the class rooms.
If Valley Oak was still open the operating deficit would be greater than it is so stop complaining about a closed school. All school districts have to close schools over time. It may be necessary to close more schools – life goes on. It is always better to close excess capacity rather than cutting teachers.
If you distrust the School Board then participate in the process – at least attend the meetings. The door is always open.
“The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling.”
From what I have read and heard that is a false statement. It all boils down to insufficient annual operating income and the void needs to be filled. Yes, you can argue an extra school was built (capital fund) and perhaps the last teachers lacked adequate funding to pay for it (although they deserved it). However, if you look at the numbers (yes you have to do some work and look at the spending detail) Davis does a very good job spending the money where it should be spent – in the class rooms.
If Valley Oak was still open the operating deficit would be greater than it is so stop complaining about a closed school. All school districts have to close schools over time. It may be necessary to close more schools – life goes on. It is always better to close excess capacity rather than cutting teachers.
If you distrust the School Board then participate in the process – at least attend the meetings. The door is always open.
“The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling.”
From what I have read and heard that is a false statement. It all boils down to insufficient annual operating income and the void needs to be filled. Yes, you can argue an extra school was built (capital fund) and perhaps the last teachers lacked adequate funding to pay for it (although they deserved it). However, if you look at the numbers (yes you have to do some work and look at the spending detail) Davis does a very good job spending the money where it should be spent – in the class rooms.
If Valley Oak was still open the operating deficit would be greater than it is so stop complaining about a closed school. All school districts have to close schools over time. It may be necessary to close more schools – life goes on. It is always better to close excess capacity rather than cutting teachers.
If you distrust the School Board then participate in the process – at least attend the meetings. The door is always open.
“The fact of the matter is that we are expected to pay for the fiscal mismanagement of past fidoogling.”
From what I have read and heard that is a false statement. It all boils down to insufficient annual operating income and the void needs to be filled. Yes, you can argue an extra school was built (capital fund) and perhaps the last teachers lacked adequate funding to pay for it (although they deserved it). However, if you look at the numbers (yes you have to do some work and look at the spending detail) Davis does a very good job spending the money where it should be spent – in the class rooms.
If Valley Oak was still open the operating deficit would be greater than it is so stop complaining about a closed school. All school districts have to close schools over time. It may be necessary to close more schools – life goes on. It is always better to close excess capacity rather than cutting teachers.
If you distrust the School Board then participate in the process – at least attend the meetings. The door is always open.
“This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.”
The revenge argument.
They closed my school, so I’m going to get back at them by voting down this parcel tax.
I’m disappointed by discussions among some parents and residents in my VO neighborhood that they will stick it to the district by voting this parcel tax down.
Affluent families in Davis will manage to compensate for loss of school programs — extra private lessons, classes at the Explorit science center, maybe some extra private tutoring.
Less affluent families will go without. About 20% of Davis students are in the reduced lunch program, which is one indicator of how many lower income students may be in Davis schools. There are many other lower middle income families who can’t subsidize the loss of these programs.
Valley Oak had more than the average share of those lower income families. It will be former Valley Oak students who will be disproportionately hurt by such cuts.
If you really care about VO kids (who are now going to other elementary schools in the district), then it makes sense to support Measure W.
Programs funded by Measure W do much to level the playing field and help to close the achievement gap.
“This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.”
The revenge argument.
They closed my school, so I’m going to get back at them by voting down this parcel tax.
I’m disappointed by discussions among some parents and residents in my VO neighborhood that they will stick it to the district by voting this parcel tax down.
Affluent families in Davis will manage to compensate for loss of school programs — extra private lessons, classes at the Explorit science center, maybe some extra private tutoring.
Less affluent families will go without. About 20% of Davis students are in the reduced lunch program, which is one indicator of how many lower income students may be in Davis schools. There are many other lower middle income families who can’t subsidize the loss of these programs.
Valley Oak had more than the average share of those lower income families. It will be former Valley Oak students who will be disproportionately hurt by such cuts.
If you really care about VO kids (who are now going to other elementary schools in the district), then it makes sense to support Measure W.
Programs funded by Measure W do much to level the playing field and help to close the achievement gap.
“This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.”
The revenge argument.
They closed my school, so I’m going to get back at them by voting down this parcel tax.
I’m disappointed by discussions among some parents and residents in my VO neighborhood that they will stick it to the district by voting this parcel tax down.
Affluent families in Davis will manage to compensate for loss of school programs — extra private lessons, classes at the Explorit science center, maybe some extra private tutoring.
Less affluent families will go without. About 20% of Davis students are in the reduced lunch program, which is one indicator of how many lower income students may be in Davis schools. There are many other lower middle income families who can’t subsidize the loss of these programs.
Valley Oak had more than the average share of those lower income families. It will be former Valley Oak students who will be disproportionately hurt by such cuts.
If you really care about VO kids (who are now going to other elementary schools in the district), then it makes sense to support Measure W.
Programs funded by Measure W do much to level the playing field and help to close the achievement gap.
“This current board was elected to CLOSE Valley Oak Elementary and deny the charter application; the majority of Davis voters(parents) have gotten their wish. Here is where accountability and consequences potentially come into play. The “pain” when their free
music lessons and other “extras” are cut and/or they have to support them with private donations perhaps will be a wake-up call that our school district is not about MY child but ALL of Davis’ children.”
The revenge argument.
They closed my school, so I’m going to get back at them by voting down this parcel tax.
I’m disappointed by discussions among some parents and residents in my VO neighborhood that they will stick it to the district by voting this parcel tax down.
Affluent families in Davis will manage to compensate for loss of school programs — extra private lessons, classes at the Explorit science center, maybe some extra private tutoring.
Less affluent families will go without. About 20% of Davis students are in the reduced lunch program, which is one indicator of how many lower income students may be in Davis schools. There are many other lower middle income families who can’t subsidize the loss of these programs.
Valley Oak had more than the average share of those lower income families. It will be former Valley Oak students who will be disproportionately hurt by such cuts.
If you really care about VO kids (who are now going to other elementary schools in the district), then it makes sense to support Measure W.
Programs funded by Measure W do much to level the playing field and help to close the achievement gap.
I don’t think a firm hiring freeze makes sense because of the specialization of teachers.
If 5 specialized high school teachers (math and social studies, say) retire, but there are fewer elementary students, you can’t just move around the “extra” elementary teachers you have to fill in the high school spots. There’s a credential needed those primary teachers may not have.
Or if you need special ed (resource) teachers, you can’t just replace them with a high school PE teacher who’s suddenly out of a job.
So on and so forth.
I don’t think a firm hiring freeze makes sense because of the specialization of teachers.
If 5 specialized high school teachers (math and social studies, say) retire, but there are fewer elementary students, you can’t just move around the “extra” elementary teachers you have to fill in the high school spots. There’s a credential needed those primary teachers may not have.
Or if you need special ed (resource) teachers, you can’t just replace them with a high school PE teacher who’s suddenly out of a job.
So on and so forth.
I don’t think a firm hiring freeze makes sense because of the specialization of teachers.
If 5 specialized high school teachers (math and social studies, say) retire, but there are fewer elementary students, you can’t just move around the “extra” elementary teachers you have to fill in the high school spots. There’s a credential needed those primary teachers may not have.
Or if you need special ed (resource) teachers, you can’t just replace them with a high school PE teacher who’s suddenly out of a job.
So on and so forth.