Byron Yankey's blog

Here's another one....

Today's Our View in the Idaho Statesman states,  "Consolidating school districts must be a consideration in these tough times."

A brief history of the consolidation of the Riggins School District with the Grangeville School District and then the "deconsolidation" of the two might be a case study worth review.  Distance, different time zones,diverse needs and equity were some of the issues that locals could tell you about. It is seldom as simple as it seems.

There truly might be ways to reduce some costs for services and purchasing if districts were to join some of these functions.  But these would have to result from a case by case review and cost reductions may not result in the long run. 

As for administrative costs, I return to a previous perspective, "It is counter intuitive to me to call for school consolidation to reduce administrative costs while some are calling for the elimination of the caps on the number of charter schools."   I support schools of choice. There should be a variety of educational options for students. I know if school districts received the same funding for magnet schools as charter schools receive, more options would result.  

If we want to consolidate something....how about highway districts.

This makes me laugh....

Should Idaho consolidate school districts?  Every time this comes up, I laugh.  Why, because it is so ironic to hear people say,"We need to consolidate the smaller school districts and we will save money." These are often the same people who say, "We should remove the cap on the number of charter schools."

What are they missing?  Every new charter school is like adding a new school district!

Now, I agree there are probably some services or business functions that could be combined. If so, those should be considered. But for fun, why not look at the Our Idaho website.  Cruise through the salary section of the few charter schools listed, check out the salaries of staff and administration and then look at the same information for some of the small school districts and see what you think.

Facing another year of dismal education funding, all choice should be carefully considered. 

Nampa Classical Academy

From the Opinion page of today's Idaho Press Tribune comes this:

"A number of troubling revelations have occurred at the new Nampa Classical Academy — and they warrant close attention from the state's Public Charter School Commission."

The troubled start of the Nampa Classical Academy charter school has been chronicled in local newspapers and on tv. Along the way, the difficult task of opening a new school has been plagued with numerous mistakes or errors.  As pointed out be the IPT, the initial concerns reported to the Charter School Commission came from within the school community. Things have not gotten better and it appears many issues remain unresolved. 

Whatever the outcome of reviews and investigations, I hope the needs of the students become the priority as solutions are crafted. 

Luna calls for 9% increase to stay even

Public schools need a 9% increase in funds.

State schools Supt. Tom Luna says Idaho’s public schools need a 9.2 percent increase in state general funds next year, just to keep even and fund student growth. In a budget request for fiscal year 2011 that Luna’s scheduled to present to the state Board of Education on Thursday, he calls for a $1.34 billion general fund appropriation for public schools next year, $1.73 billion in total funds. That’s up from $1.23 billion in general funds this year - the first year that Idaho’s schools have taken a cut in state funds from what they received the year before.

The premise here is to stay even.  That is an impossible concept.  To stay even would mean such things as; utility costs don't increase, diesel for buses won't go up, the cost of paper,services, textbooks all would have to remain the same and oh, no buildings would need repair.   See what I mean?  The logic of staying even is unfathomable.

From Eye on Boise

One in five Idaho school districts have declared financial emergencies, legislative budget analyst Paul Headlee just informed lawmakers on the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. He said 23 school districts, 20 percent of Idaho’s 115 districts, made the declaration as permitted by HB 252, legislation that passed this year. Many reduced school supplies, eliminated or reduced positions, reduced their textbook budgets, and left vacant positions unfilled; some have negotiated cuts or freezes in salaries.

So what is next? It surely is not removing the caps on the number of charter schools. Some legislators are calling for school consolidation.  Every new charter school is exactly opposite of that sentiment. In some cases, maybe consolidation should be considered. Considered by local patrons, not compelled by law makers.

Let's watch and see what is next.

"It's going to be horrible..."

At the end of today's JFAC budget committee meeting, Betsy Russell reports:

With so few options, the Rupert Republican (Dean Cameron) is blunt about the task of making ends meet starting in January.

“It’s going to be horrible,” he said.

Yes, he is right. And,it will be made more horrible if the majority party does not move to a reasonable perspective and seriously considers additional revenue sources. Those sources should include after thoughtful review, the repeal of some tax exemptions and exclusions.

The implied appeal to Idaho citizens to "suck it up" and "tell us what they can do without", is a cop out. Here is what Vice Chairwomen Sen. Shawn Keough said after hearing the catastrophic possibilities in Idaho's Medicaid program.

It’s breathtaking,” said Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, vice-chairwoman of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. “I think everyone in Idaho needs to understand where we’re at, and be prepared to sacrifice in a lot of ways. They need to communicate to us what their priorities are - what can they do without in services, and what do they feel they absolutely have to have, and how do they want to pay for that?”

Last legislative session many Idaho citizens tried to do just that. They testified at hearings. They wrote letters and emails. They made phone calls. What evidence has been provided that this legislative session will be different?

 

Enough is a enough

Take a moment and read Superintendent Tom Luna's comments about public education.

"There are very few things the Idaho Constitution says the state has to fund, but K-12 education is one of those. That should set the priorities," (...) "The governor has been clear that some things state government is doing now, we may not be able to do in the future if we're going to meet our constitutional obligations."

Superintendent Luna has proposed level funding for public education next year, plus some additional money for projected student growth. These early statements are positive in that between now and the start of the legislative session all sorts of trial balloons are floated. What is not included in this article is the developing positions of Superintendent Luna with regards to lifting the caps on charter schools and teacher pay for performance.  These are both high ticket items under any circumstance, but given the economic realities facing budget writers, I find it hard to imagine any scenario where these two issues should compete for already limited revenue.

Education spending cuts

How severe was the cut to Idaho public schools?  Great question posed by Kevin Richert.

Idaho's continued budget problems predict a very difficult legislative session. Revenue projects continue to have the same level of accuracy as television weathermen.   The reality is, no matter how you spin this story,no viable plan or solution has been created to stop the effects of budget cutting.  Yes, education has been somewhat held harmless in this last round of cuts, but again, without increased revenue or new revenue sources; the future is bleak for Idaho citizens.  

Kevin Richert writes:

In two recent editorials, I have written that public schools sustained a 7.7 percent budget cut in 2009-10.

And that's true of Idaho general fund dollars — which are traditionally the coin of the realm when politicos talk about state budget trends. The 2009-10 general fund appropriation for K-12 was just over $1.3 billion, down from $1.42 billion a year ago.

That doesn't tell the whole story, says the state Education Department. The state put $60.6 million of federal economic stimulus money into the 2009-10 budget, which puts the cut at 3.2 percent.

These numbers demonstrate two points. First, no matter how you look at the spreadsheets, Idaho public schools took an unprecedented budget cut during 2009-10 — a sobering fact that should influence future budget decisions during Idaho's ongoing recession. Second, it illustrates a dirty secret of the state budget: without an economic stimulus bill that passed over the objections of the Idaho congressional delegation, the state's public schools would be in an even deeper world of hurt.

As our elected state officials quietly seek to build their campaign war chests in preparation for the next election, I wonder when lawmakers will become statesmen. I wonder when the majority party will stop posturing behind slogans and start believing good government serves the people.

Charter School Limits

"It's no time to rush to expand charter schools" says the Idaho Statesman.  Wow, I can't agree more.  Read their rational:

Our biggest problem with Luna's charter school proposal has nothing to do with strange political alliances. Instead, it has to do with the strain on Idaho's schools budget, and the start up nature of any new charter.

Within the next week, my crystal ball says public schools will see hold backs announced by Governor Otter.  I would celebrate if my prediction is wrong.  In my perspective the only remaining question is, "how much will it be?"  We should all watch the graceful dance that will result in people saying, "Be thankful it isn't larger." All this while the majority party refuses to look at new sources of revenue. It is time to dust off ideas like reviewing sales tax exemptions and exclusions or maybe a tax on things like sodas or junk food or new creative ideas that ultimately need to rise to the top. 

Public schools took a 7.7% decrease for this fiscal year. The result so far has been over 20 school districts declaring financial emergencies and many district has had to go to their patron to increase school levies. Contingency funds in all school districts are disappearing leaving fewer and fewer options.

Some would say it is all about choices. Our elected officials need to thoughtfully and intentionally make choices. "Rainy day" funds were created for times like these.  Use them!

Lifting Charter School Cap

Lawmakers work to lift cap on charter schools reports the Idaho Press Tribune. Superintendent Tom Luna has made clear his priority to eliminate the limit on the number of charter schools that could be approved each year. Now, a reason being sighted to accomplish this is the hope that by so doing, Idaho's chances for Federal Education grants will increase.

Until and unless Idaho can fund the existing public schools adequately,increasing the number of charter schools without limits is not a good idea.  Each charter school opened is like one more school district competing for limited funds. Unless the size of the pie grows larger,everyone's slice grows smaller.

Lifting the cap on charter schools is like using your credit card to buy Power Ball tickets. It's like taking money you do not have and betting on the hope you will win big.  

Legislators' Choice

The opinion writer for the Twin Falls Times-News states a real and growing concern about funding for public education.

"It's clear that Idaho is headed toward undiscovered country in its next state budget. Because of the recession, the budget shortfall when the Legislature convenes in January will almost certainly exceed $150 million; perhaps even $200 million."

Yes, the legislature will be in for more tough choices next year.  With 14 school districts declaring a financial emergency just to get through the upcoming school year, more and more districts will be going to local voters to test their support for funding local programs. This while state rainy day funds languish for what must I can only guess elected leaders are waiting for...a tsunami.

The writer from the Times-News left out two possibilities that must be considered!

1. A non-partisan review of all tax exemptions and exclusions to determine which of these are needed and which of these are not.
2. Increase the revenue stream into state coffers.

Both of these options with take political will, and political courage. Both of these opinions are long overdue.