Some interesting information from IASB.
http://www.ia-sb.org/uploadedFiles/IASB/Member_Benefits/SBRW/SBRW%20-Fact%20Sheet%202011.pdf
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
District Facilities Committee Works on Site Plan
The Earlham Community School District Facilities Committee has been working for the past several years on ways to improve the existing facilities to best serve the students of the district as well as prepare for the changing needs of the district. During meetings of the Facilities Committee this school year, there has been a focus on improving existing facilities, specifically the track. Originally, the Facilities Committee was attempting to propose a plan for an 8-lane all-weather track so that the district could again host track meets.
After reporting to the School Board in February, the Facilities Committee was charged with creating a site plan for the track/football field area with a vision for what the district will/may need 10 years from now. The District has enlisted the assistance of SVPA Architects, Midwest Track and Bishop Engineering to provide expertise with various pieces of the overall plan. The Committee has discussed the potential of implementing the site plan in phases by using funding from the penny sales tax or SAVE (Secure and Advanced Vision for Education) fund. By using the SAVE fund, the District would not be asking district patrons for additional property taxes for this project.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Instructional Support Levy
At their meeting on February 16, 2011, the Earlham Community School Board approved a resolution to consider participation in an Instructional Support Levy. The ISL is a way for the district to provide a consistent funding stream for programming. In this particular situation, the Board approved this funding for "improving the District's technology program, including the purchasing of services, equipment, and/or software, or any general fund purpose approved by the Board". In addition, the approval of the resolution included the use of property taxes to fund the ISL for a period of 5 years as allowed by law.
As you may recall, the Earlham School Board has been vigilant in keeping the overall property tax rate the same for the past three years. Their goal with this ISL is to continue that expectation. Last year, the Board realized the importance of a significant increase in the Cash Reserve Levy to replace those dollars from the across-the-board reduction in State Aid. At the same time, other funds were adjusted so that the overall rate would remain the same. The intention of the Board is to institute the Instructional Support Levy for technology without raising the overall levy rate for property taxes.
A Public Hearing on this issue is scheduled for Monday, March 7th at 6:00 PM in the school library.
As you may recall, the Earlham School Board has been vigilant in keeping the overall property tax rate the same for the past three years. Their goal with this ISL is to continue that expectation. Last year, the Board realized the importance of a significant increase in the Cash Reserve Levy to replace those dollars from the across-the-board reduction in State Aid. At the same time, other funds were adjusted so that the overall rate would remain the same. The intention of the Board is to institute the Instructional Support Levy for technology without raising the overall levy rate for property taxes.
A Public Hearing on this issue is scheduled for Monday, March 7th at 6:00 PM in the school library.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
School Board to Save Taxpayers over $150,000
At their meeting on December 8, 2010, the Earlham Community School Board of Directors approved a resolution directing the sale $2.030,000 of General Obligation Bonds to Country Club Bank from Prairie Village, KS. These bonds were originally issued in 2002 to build additional elementary classrooms, a practice gym, vocal and instrumental music rooms and the auditorium. The district earned an A1 rating from Moodys and received refinancing bids from 5 different financial institutions from around the country with Country Club Bank bidding the lowest interest rate.
By approving this bid and refinancing these bonds, the district will save local property tax payers $154,506.50 through the debt service levy beginning in fiscal year 2013 and continuing through May 2021.
By approving this bid and refinancing these bonds, the district will save local property tax payers $154,506.50 through the debt service levy beginning in fiscal year 2013 and continuing through May 2021.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Helping your Child Succeed at School
I read the following in the November edition of the School Administrators of Iowa newsletter. Some great ideas!
The Iowa PIRC staff has adapted and prioritized 12 ideas for parents to consider to help their children succeed in school. We have put them in order based on what we are finding from various research studies. Feel free to reproduce this and share with students’ parents.
You are your child’s best teacher! Research shows that children whose parents are engaged in their education are more likely to achieve academic success. Use the following checklist to plan how you can best help your child learn. As you organize your efforts, make sure to start at the top of the list and work your way down. It’s okay if you can’t do all of the things on this list! If you only have time to do one thing, work on the first item. As you have more time to work with your child, keep heading down the list in order. It is essential to be as positive as possible as you support your child. Don’t forget, these ideas are effective for children in all grades PreK‐12!
1. Have high expectations for your children. Kids rise to a challenge. Make sure your children understand the clear expectations you have for them and how well they should do in school. Talk to your children about your expectation that they will continue their education after they graduate from high school. Encourage your students to talk with their counselor and their teachers about their options after high school. While it’s OK to reward your children for successes, as your children get older it is important to help them develop an internal desire to do well in school that doesn’t require rewards.
2. Talk to your child about school. Ask specific questions to draw out your child. Instead of asking “yes” or “no” questions, ask “How do you think you did on the math test?” or “What is something funny that happened at school today?” or “What did you do during PE?” It is very important as you talk with your child about school to help him/her believe in him/herself and have the confidence to know that s/he can succeed. (See Questions to Ask Your Children Besides “How Was Your Day” at http://bit.ly/9N81ND.)
3. Get “connected” with your child’s teachers. Teachers and parents should be equal partners. This doesn’t mean you have the same role, but you are both equally important players in supporting the success of your child. Ask teachers about their expectations. What are students expected to master by the end of the year in each class? How will each teacher be gauging your child’s progress toward these goals? Ask about the best way to get in touch if you have questions. Ask what you can do at home to support what is going on in the classroom.
4. Make sure your child has a quiet place to study and to learn at home. Find an area in your home that is free of distraction where your child can concentrate on homework and other learning without being disturbed by other distractions. Listening to music while doing homework is not the best way for all students to focus on their homework. Be available to offer suggestions if your child has a question. Make sure your child spends enough time learning at home. A commonly accepted rule is 10 minutes of learning at home per
school night per grade level (e.g., 3rd grade = 30 minutes, 6th grade = 60 minutes, 9th grade = 90 minutes, 12th grade = 120 minutes). Students should spend time learning at home every night even if they don’t have specific homework.
5. Get your child “connected” to the school. Students who feel “connected” to adults and other students at school do better academically. Encourage your child to join a club, participate in intramural activities, go out for a sport, or join a music group. If what your child is interested in isn’t offered as a school club or activity, work with the school to start one.
6. Check your child’s homework, but don’t do it. Offer to check math problems, proofread written papers and look over spelling words. If you find a mistake, point it out to your child and help him/her figure out the correct answer. Remember to also point out what your child did well in his/her homework, too. If your child is having trouble encourage him/her to contact his/her peers or look for an online resource. Also encourage your child to ask for help from the teacher. Remember to help your child practice how to ask for help in a positive way. (See Homework at http://bit.ly/cdaU5p.)
7. Find out about homework assignments and school tests. Use your district’s online computer system or teacher’s webpage to monitor homework assignments and get in the habit of checking it regularly. If you can’t find the information you need about upcoming classroom assignments, contact your child’s teachers and ask them to post when there’s an important project or test coming up. If you feel like you need more information, contact your child’s teacher(s) and ask them to post more information that can help you know how your child is doing and how you can support him/her at home.
8. Talk about your own learning. Discuss with your child how you plan, solve problems and think about the future.
9. Post a family calendar in a central place. Write down important school dates, including due dates for projects and tests. Encourage your child to add to the calendar and to check it daily. Help your child learn to plan and prepare ahead. As your child gets older, help your child take the lead for regulating and organizing homework and study time with you as their coach.
10. Go to school meetings and events. Attending concerts, plays, assemblies, meetings, and other activities is a good way to become familiar with your child’s school community and develop relationships with other parents.
11. Volunteer to chaperone school dances and drive kids to school competitions. You’ll meet other parents, school staff, and your child’s classmates. In this way you can also develop a network of other parents with whom you can share information and discuss ideas.
12. Find a way to make your voice heard. If you have the time and the desire, ask to be part of school committees. Attend PTA/PTO meetings. Many schools now have parent and school teams that share ways to further build a family-school partnerships for student learning. Ask to form or join such a team.
Helping Your Child Succeed at School
Ron Mirr, Iowa Parent Resource Information Center, www.iowaparents.org
The Iowa PIRC staff has adapted and prioritized 12 ideas for parents to consider to help their children succeed in school. We have put them in order based on what we are finding from various research studies. Feel free to reproduce this and share with students’ parents.
You are your child’s best teacher! Research shows that children whose parents are engaged in their education are more likely to achieve academic success. Use the following checklist to plan how you can best help your child learn. As you organize your efforts, make sure to start at the top of the list and work your way down. It’s okay if you can’t do all of the things on this list! If you only have time to do one thing, work on the first item. As you have more time to work with your child, keep heading down the list in order. It is essential to be as positive as possible as you support your child. Don’t forget, these ideas are effective for children in all grades PreK‐12!
1. Have high expectations for your children. Kids rise to a challenge. Make sure your children understand the clear expectations you have for them and how well they should do in school. Talk to your children about your expectation that they will continue their education after they graduate from high school. Encourage your students to talk with their counselor and their teachers about their options after high school. While it’s OK to reward your children for successes, as your children get older it is important to help them develop an internal desire to do well in school that doesn’t require rewards.
2. Talk to your child about school. Ask specific questions to draw out your child. Instead of asking “yes” or “no” questions, ask “How do you think you did on the math test?” or “What is something funny that happened at school today?” or “What did you do during PE?” It is very important as you talk with your child about school to help him/her believe in him/herself and have the confidence to know that s/he can succeed. (See Questions to Ask Your Children Besides “How Was Your Day” at http://bit.ly/9N81ND.)
3. Get “connected” with your child’s teachers. Teachers and parents should be equal partners. This doesn’t mean you have the same role, but you are both equally important players in supporting the success of your child. Ask teachers about their expectations. What are students expected to master by the end of the year in each class? How will each teacher be gauging your child’s progress toward these goals? Ask about the best way to get in touch if you have questions. Ask what you can do at home to support what is going on in the classroom.
4. Make sure your child has a quiet place to study and to learn at home. Find an area in your home that is free of distraction where your child can concentrate on homework and other learning without being disturbed by other distractions. Listening to music while doing homework is not the best way for all students to focus on their homework. Be available to offer suggestions if your child has a question. Make sure your child spends enough time learning at home. A commonly accepted rule is 10 minutes of learning at home per
school night per grade level (e.g., 3rd grade = 30 minutes, 6th grade = 60 minutes, 9th grade = 90 minutes, 12th grade = 120 minutes). Students should spend time learning at home every night even if they don’t have specific homework.
5. Get your child “connected” to the school. Students who feel “connected” to adults and other students at school do better academically. Encourage your child to join a club, participate in intramural activities, go out for a sport, or join a music group. If what your child is interested in isn’t offered as a school club or activity, work with the school to start one.
6. Check your child’s homework, but don’t do it. Offer to check math problems, proofread written papers and look over spelling words. If you find a mistake, point it out to your child and help him/her figure out the correct answer. Remember to also point out what your child did well in his/her homework, too. If your child is having trouble encourage him/her to contact his/her peers or look for an online resource. Also encourage your child to ask for help from the teacher. Remember to help your child practice how to ask for help in a positive way. (See Homework at http://bit.ly/cdaU5p.)
7. Find out about homework assignments and school tests. Use your district’s online computer system or teacher’s webpage to monitor homework assignments and get in the habit of checking it regularly. If you can’t find the information you need about upcoming classroom assignments, contact your child’s teachers and ask them to post when there’s an important project or test coming up. If you feel like you need more information, contact your child’s teacher(s) and ask them to post more information that can help you know how your child is doing and how you can support him/her at home.
8. Talk about your own learning. Discuss with your child how you plan, solve problems and think about the future.
9. Post a family calendar in a central place. Write down important school dates, including due dates for projects and tests. Encourage your child to add to the calendar and to check it daily. Help your child learn to plan and prepare ahead. As your child gets older, help your child take the lead for regulating and organizing homework and study time with you as their coach.
10. Go to school meetings and events. Attending concerts, plays, assemblies, meetings, and other activities is a good way to become familiar with your child’s school community and develop relationships with other parents.
11. Volunteer to chaperone school dances and drive kids to school competitions. You’ll meet other parents, school staff, and your child’s classmates. In this way you can also develop a network of other parents with whom you can share information and discuss ideas.
12. Find a way to make your voice heard. If you have the time and the desire, ask to be part of school committees. Attend PTA/PTO meetings. Many schools now have parent and school teams that share ways to further build a family-school partnerships for student learning. Ask to form or join such a team.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
School Board Refinancing of Bonds
At their meeting on October 20th, the Earlham School Board started the process to refinance the General Obligations bonds from the 2003 construction project. The reduction in interest rates make the refinancing attractive and are estimated to save district tax payers approximately $170,000 over the next ten years. The School Board will be working with Piper Jaffray to complete this process.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Annual Financial Update
Each year in August, I share a financial update with the staff during in-service and a more detailed presentation to the School Board. Below is the presentation that was shared with the School Board on August 26, 2010.
Finance Presentation August 2010
Finance Presentation August 2010
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