Parent/Community Meetings
Summary
January/February 2010
Elementary
-
focus on core curriculum/eliminate non-core classes (contractual issues with prep time)
parents provide all supplies (FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education – we can ask, but we
can’t require)
examine consolidation of services (consolidation of services in progress)
examine consolidation of school districts (loss of community; little savings if classes, buildings
and administration can’t be absorbed)
examine consolidation of Western’s elementary schools (1995 bond – community not in favor of
consolidating elementary schools)
neighborhood schools (little cost savings, if any – does have education value)
seek grants
consolidate classrooms (maximize class size limit)
reading recovery (potential savings of $130,000)
literacy coaches (potential savings of $155,000)
market positives (working on PR through advertisement)
market Schools of Choice (have contracted for a billboard and JTV advertising)
use volunteers as assistants (class size) (some liability, dependability and class management
concerns)
utilize space in elementary schools to create more space/accept more Schools of Choice students
retirement incentive (currently under consideration by the State Legislature)
Middle School
-
pay to participate in sports (need to consider potential impact on participation and enrollment)
parent transportation for extra curricular events (currently do not provide for weekend activities;
athletics $5,000/field trips $2,500)
consolidate classrooms (move 5th to MS) and close elementary (not enough space)
maximize class size (currently being done)
early retirement incentive (currently under consideration by the State Legislature)
insurance contribution (negotiable)
wage freeze (negotiable)
consolidate lunches from 3 to 2 (purchases needed to accommodate numbers would result in
minimal, if any, cost savings)
increase technology life (currently being done)
middle school disciplinarian (potential savings of $60,000)
concessions at activities (current parent/booster fundraising activities)
charge for student programs and concerts (possible)
charge for MS chopper program (possible)
High School
-
pay to participate in sports//include fine arts ($35,000 - consider participation/enrollment impact)
increase rental fees at auditorium (small profit would be used for auditorium supplies; could
impact number of rentals)
-
schedule more tournaments (depends on available dates but added costs could offset profits i.e.
grounds keeping)
evaluate non-core classes (some non-core classes are required for graduation)
share textbooks (already taking place in some classes – electronic options )
increase parking fees for students (generates small amount of revenue)
reduce auxiliary staff (some of this has already taken place)
increase use of volunteers (some liability, dependability and class management concerns)
delay computer/equipment purchases (currently doing this)
fee for using weight room (small revenue amount – prior commitment to community)
shorten school year (implemented this year)
use college for AP classes (already implemented – dual enrollment through MVU)
rent instruments for band/accept donated instruments from grads (most instruments are student
owned)
lecture hall format for classes/reduce number of classes (possible contractual issues, would
require para-pro support, possible pilot program, could explore using WCAC))
fundraising with Lowe’s, Applebees’, etc./cards (already done by numerous groups)
increase advertising/promote auditorium (possible; would need to increase tech support for
auditorium)
Chamber of Commerce partnership (possible; requires membership)
business partnerships/sponsorships (possible; already done to some extent)
examine process for book deposit – up fee – (possible)
move graduation to high school/keep senior dues to pay for Potter Center (Western currently
doesn’t have enough seating; partnering with JCC has lowered our Potter Center costs)
keep money from book fees to pay for Potter Center (possible; looking at donation process)
Athletics
-
pay to play
charge parking fee for athletic events (we do not have the facilities to offer this option)
sponsor more tournaments/host more state tournaments and events (working on this)
school organized feeder programs that generate revenue from participation fees (initial investment
required)
gain corporate sponsors/advertising (working on this)
advertising at athletic events (working on this)
privatize coaches (staff) (non-staff coaches are privatized, staff coaches currently have the
option)
rental of sports equipment (would need to increase our equipment fee to do this)
examine student/adult fee structure (under review)
raise price of tickets (looking at ways to increase attendance instead of increasing gate cost)
decrease student admission cost to increase attendance (pass booklets are currently available at
$2 per event)
restrict passes from other schools (conference agreement, but will be addressed)
charge admission fees for all sports (looking at charging for all events that require an official)
sponsoring of equipment (possible)
consider elimination of sports (consider loss of students)
smaller radius for travel (currently doing this with weekday travel)
coach CDL license (it costs about $1,000 per person for license requirements)
alternative transportation (state is stepping up restrictions this June for transportation)
event supervisors – volunteers (some liability, dependability and management concerns)
sell naming rights to auditorium (possible)
-
field maintenance (reconfiguration completed = $35,000 savings)
annual student activity fee (possible)
athletic staff – admin and support (reducing AD to half-time)
reduce coaches (looking at reducing coaching staff)
reduce transportation to events/car pool (HS athletics $18,000/field trips $4,000))
raise CAC fees (possible)
Transportation
-
consolidate bus runs (eliminate 1 run $20,000)
same start time throughout district/single bus run (need more buses 7-8 @ $80,000 each)
increase walking distance (little impact on bus runs)
fee for transportation (illegal to charge if offered by the district)
eliminate transfers (started….in the works)
dedicated bus routes to schools (would eliminate transportation for Building of Choice families)
Building of Choice transportation parent responsibility (potential savings if transfer eliminated)
busing fees for Building of Choice (illegal to charge if offered by the district)
eliminate transportation (district savings of $1.5 million)
parents notify of non-riders (little impact)
reduce/eliminate transportation for athletics (potential savings of $60,000)
conservation of fuel i.e. lighten load, right turns only (looking to optimize routes)
privatize (district savings of $120,000 to $220,000)
move to smaller vehicles (less efficient)
change insurance carrier (negotiable item – potential savings unknown)
early release day – wait time for drivers (changing for 2010-2011 = $23,000)
consolidation of transportation with other area schools (same impact as privatization)
Custodial/Maintenance
-
students pick up after themselves (will be stressed in 2010-2011)
student helpers in cafeterias (currently being used, no cost savings)
student responsibility (will be stressed in 2010-2011)
volunteers (not as reliable as employees)
reduce grounds keeping in summer (took effect March 2010 = $35,000)
recycle (no cost savings)
privatize (district savings of $350,000 plus)
monitor time use (efficiency of staffing already in place)
use Swifters instead of mops (cleaning fluids already in them/no mop cleaning) (not economical)
consolidate supply purchases with JCISD (supplies purchased through consortium already)
two elementary custodians work day shift only (energy conservation) (efficiency of staffing
already in place)
Miscellaneous
-
longer days/shorten school year (in place for 2009-2010 = $45,000)
max out staff (being considered – cost savings unknown)
increase/promote SOC (underway)
donation from SOC-ers/facility recovery fee (FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education)
increase rental fees for all groups (being considered - cost savings unknown)
charge for fitness facility (prior commitment to the community)
-
-
look into graduation site (Western does not have enough seating; current “trade agreement” in
place with JCC)
electronic payroll (savings in business office time – currently offered on volunteer basis)
job share (currently available for teachers – no cost savings)
move to digit text (being considered for new text series – still a cost to access)
user fees in elective classes (FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education)
more on-line instruction (being investigated through the use of seat time waivers)
protect extra curriculars (trying to maintain opportunity for students, thus keep students)
sell land (one time revenue $100,000 - $500,000)
wind generator to sell electricity (information being sought)
energy rebates through Consumers Energy (Energy Manager is monitoring utility bills)
window and energy audit (would require a bond issue to upgrade)
shop energy savings (in progress – better rate on natural gas for 2010-2011)
school supply savings (FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education)
go wireless/sell to others/less need for computers (FCC Restrictions)
wage freeze for all employees (potential district savings of $236,000)
pay for insurance (potential district savings – amount unknown)
change insurance (potential district savings – amount unknown)
name ourselves insurance policy holder (potential district savings – estimate $200,000)
reduce board member stipend (savings of $3000-4000)
promote/expand childcare (currently being done)
promote donations to district (always willing to accept donations)
fundraiser (physical action not sales) (over-saturation of fund raising currently)
use part-time positions (contractual issues)
shared services (in place: Springport business services $23,000 and Northwest technology
$190,00. Other options under consideration))
examine private schools operation (meeting with private school soon on partnership)
improve marketing (in progress)
change school year to go through summer months instead of winter months (March-October)
- add ceiling fans (air conditioning needed; sports and fine arts scheduling conflicts)
- reduces/eliminates snow plowing/shoveling/extra cleaning time due to snow (services always
needed due to event schedules)
- eliminates snow days (exchanging cold/snow for heat/humidity, ex. 45-15)
- doesn’t require as much energy (more electricity/less natural gas)
- eliminates Thanksgiving and Christmas/reducing school art supplies
building or district rummage sale (small amount of revenue for the work/effort)
bond (could purchase new buses and technology – avoid use of General Fund)
privatize food service (Food Service is currently self-sufficient and makes money)