R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

R.E.A.D.Regional Educational Advocacy Districts

Local district advocacy & R.E.A.D.’s work on unfunded mandates.

Started in 2004

Member districts include Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson

Superintendents and board trustees

The five R.E.A.D. districts represent… Over 50,000 residents, 8,000 students, and Approximately $200 million

spending on schools.

R.E.A.D.

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 2

R.E.A.D.PANELISTS:

Karen Zevin, B.O.E. President, Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

David White, former B.O.E., Hendrick Hudson Central School District

Dr. Daniel McCann, Superintendent, Hendrick Hudson Central School District;

Gloria Colucci, Superintendent, Garrison Union Free School District

Diane Chaissan, School Business Official, Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

3

R.E.A.D.Mission

To improve public education by combining the vision, talents, and resources of neighboring districts to advocate among:

Local, state, and national legislators

Media

State-wide associations and groups

The local community

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 4

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Why Local Advocacy?

Sounding board for districts with similar interests.

Enhances commitment. Does not conflict with state or regional school

board associations. Orients members to political landscape. Provides insight into other local districts.

R.E.A.D.

5

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

R.E.A.D.Key Goals Driving R.E.A.D. Advocacy Fair and sufficient funding for all districts

Relief from state and federal mandates

More effective local school board function and control

Relief from standardized tests

Specific Focus (Past 3 Years) Rolling back unfunded mandates, by making lawmakers aware of their

actual costs

Sharing cost saving ideas among the R.E.A.D. districts

TRS and ERS pension fund shortfalls

6

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Unfunded Mandates

R.E.A.D. created a template that itemizes and presents information on estimating the cost of unfunded mandates.Over 90 mandates are included, segmented into categories:

Special Education & Special Services,

NCLB Requirements/Academic Intervention Services AIS/RTI

Transportation

Health & Safety Buildings & Grounds Finance

Professional Development

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

7

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Unfunded MandatesState, Federal and SED mandates are included.

Does not include mandates which R.E.A.D. feels are necessary district obligations.

Does not include costs associated Benefits (retirement system, health, etc.), Wick’s Law (over the life of the loan), Triborough and other major benefit, negotiation or construction costs.

The compilation is an objective view of mandate costs.

Each mandate has cost consequences whether or not they are beneficial.

The list is continuously updated and revised to be a more accurate representation of mandate obligations.

• The most recent revision is an update developed in December 2009.

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference 8

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Unfunded Mandates

Be informed: We need to understand where and how funding is spent.

Responsible leadership: We represent tax payers. These mandates are paid for by local

property taxes.

Accountability and transparency: School districts must show how they spend money.

9

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Mandate Cost Calculation

Each district compiles their own data. NYSBBA and Westchester Putnam School Board Association (WPSBA)

are helping to coordinate the effort.

Definitions for mandate have been developed so that districts are consistent in identifying costs associated with mandates. Methods for estimating personnel hours and other costs, ST3 locations,

etc. are provided to make cost calculations easier.

Templates for estimating testing costs and Wick’s law costs are provided.

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

10

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Unfunded Mandates Categories, descriptions, and account codes are provided. School districts provide actual amounts. Aid is subtracted from total costs.

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

11

Transportation Description Account Codes  CostPrivate and parochial schools within 15 miles

Total transportation costs: gas, buses, driver salaries/benefits

A5510.16, A5545  

Special Education (out of district)

Total transportation costs: gas, buses, driver salaries/benefits, aids, 19A requirements

A5510.16, A5545  

Emissions controls   $7000 for each new bus. A5510.21  

Bus Driver Training for Special Education Students

IEPS etc. A5510.4  

Transportation Aid Subtract these costsSum four transportation items and apply State Share Transportation Ratio

 

Subtotal $

As per ST3)/Descriptions . (These are codes we think are applicable. You might code things differently in your district.)

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

The Cost of Unfunded Mandates

In FY ‘08-09, the total cost for these unfunded mandates for five districts was $40.4 million, or an average of 19% of the entire school budget.

Total School District Budgets: $209.2 million

Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 5 R.E.A.D. districts, FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson

12

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

The Cost of Unfunded Mandates

In FY ‘07-’08, the total cost for nine Westchester Districts was $222.2 million dollars or an average of 16.3% of the entire school budget.

Total School District Budgets: $682.5 million

Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 9 districts, FY ’07-’08: Brewster, Briarcliff, Chappaqua, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland, and White Plains

13

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

The Cost of Unfunded Mandates

Source: Unfunded Mandate spreadsheet, 5 R.E.A.D. districts, FY ’08-’09: Brewster, Croton-Harmon, Garrison, Haldane, Hendrick-Hudson

*Other = Health & Safety (2.5%), Finance (1.1%), Buildings and Grounds and other (category not specified) mandates (<1%)

14

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

The Cost of Unfunded Mandates

The numbers add up quickly for five school districts...

Over $468,000 in testing costs.

Over $95,000 in internal audit costs.

Over $130,000 in data warehousing costs.

Over $180,000 in special education legal costs.

Over $25,000 in Special Education (STAC) reporting.

Over $30,000 in clerical costs associated with professional development & monitoring highly qualified teacher requirements.

Over $170,000 in inspections, monitoring, and compliance (OSHA, DEC, elevators, fire safety, extinguishers, etc.)

15

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Why Bother?

Financial evidence of the burden of legislative actions and impact on schools and the tax payer.

Compelling financial argument to legislators and for legislators to use with others.

Explanation provided to tax payer.

Going Forward –

Argument for involving superintendents and trustees in review of legislation so that they can identify hidden costs.

Argument for financial calculation of the cost of bills before they become law.

Argument in opposition to a highly restrictive tax cap.

16

Advocacy - 5 NYSSBA Resolutions (3 Adopted, 2

Proposed)

Two R.E.A.D. resolutions this year, identified as Hendrick Hudson SD resolutions, concerning pension fund and testing relief, supported by all R.EA.D districts.

The Gazette (local)

R.E.A.D.

Media Exposure

Government Meetings with Legislators Provided unfunded mandate data/

analysis to SED and Commission on Real Property Tax Relief

School Districts Original mandate

template completed by 9 districts.

Other local advocacy groups have formed.

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

17

Successes

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

How to Start an Local Advocacy Group

Consider… Location Common issues Shared legislators Commitment (monthly meetings, website, goals)

R.E.A.D.

18

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

How to calculate your unfunded mandate costs and participate in the larger initiative.

Email Karenzevin@croton-harmonschools.org for copy of unfunded mandate, testing, and Wick’s law template.

OR

Double click on icon for a copy of the unfunded mandate worksheet.

Unfunded Mandate, Wick’s Law and Testing

Templates

19

R.E.A.D.

Microsoft Office Excel 97-2003 Worksheet

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

QUESTIONS

R.E.A.D.

20

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Brewster Central School District30 Farm to Market RoadBrewster, NY 10509SuperintendentDr. Jane Sandbankjsandbank@brewsterschools.org845-279-8000President of Board of EducationDr. Stephen Jamboroehan@aol.com

Haldane Central School District15 Craigside DriveCold Spring, NY 10516SuperintendentDr. Mark Villantimvillanti@haldane.lhric.org845-265-9254President of Board of EducationDavid Merandydmerandy@haldane.lhric.org

Hendrick Hudson Central School District61 Trolley RoadMontrose, NY 10548SuperintendentDr. Daniel McCannDaniel.McCann@henhudschools.orgPhone: 914-257-5112President of Board of EducationMarion WalshMarion.Walsh@@henhudschools.org

R.E.A.D. Presentation, Fall 2010 NYSBBA Conference

Croton-Harmon Union Free School District10 Gerstein StreetCroton-On-Hudson, NY 10520SuperintendentDr. Edward R. Fuhrman Jr.*efurhman@croton-harmonschools.org914-271-4793President of Board of EducationKaren Zevinkzevin@croton-harmonschools.org

Garrison Union Free School District1100 Route 9DGarrison, NY 10524SuperintendentGloria J. Colucci*gcolucci@gufs.org845-424-3689President of Board of EducationCarol McCulloughcmccullough@henhudschools.org

* R.E.A.D. Co-Chairs for 2010-2011

Website: http://www.READ1.Org