Superintendent's Blog: Posts http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/Lists/Posts/AllPosts.aspx RSS feed for the Posts list. Boulder Valley School District webmast@bvsd.org Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:49:17 GMT Microsoft SharePoint Foundation RSS Generator 60 en-US Superintendent's Blog: Posts http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/_layouts/images/siteIcon.png http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/Lists/Posts/AllPosts.aspx Budget Planning 2013-14 – Part 2 of 3 http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=122 Body:

​This is a second in a series of articles on funding for Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) and Colorado public education.

On Tuesday, May 28, BVSD administration will present the proposed budget for the next fiscal year to the BVSD school board. Total projected revenue for the 2013-14 BVSD general operating fund is $289 million.

Key elements of projected revenue for next year:

  1. Total revenue $267.3 million – an increase of $9.2 million includes: a) state resources, b) local mill levy override, c) local property taxes, and d) other revenue.
  2. Year end cash balance of $7.4 million, and 
  3. District required reserves of $14.3 million.

 
BVSD will receive a cost of living increase in per pupil funding (1.9 percent) and funding for the 200 new students projected to attend BVSD next year. The 2013 Legislature also authorized additional resources to offset reductions by state government in recent years. BVSD will feel the effect of the sequestration of federal education funds. A reduction of 5-10 percent of federal funds is a loss of up to $1 million for instructional services (Title I, special education, etc.) next year.


The proposed budget does not allow for the expansion of existing programs for next year. BVSD will be able to maintain the present level of programming/services and support increased expense of employee compensation, benefits and inflationary cost.

Total projected expenditures for the 2013-14 BVSD general operating fund are $289 million which includes ongoing allocations and year end cash balance.

Key elements of the BVSD financial plan:

  1. Employee compensation of $214.7 million (includes salary cost of living adjustment and benefits) - an increase of $11 million;
  2. Other ongoing expenditures (fees, contracts, unemployment, etc.) of $18.5 million;
  3. One time expenditures of $4.5 million (math textbooks, literacy services, school resource allocations, staffing reserves);
  4. Transfers of $36.5 million (risk management, charter schools, transportation, and capital reserve); and
  5. A combined TABOR reserve (required by the Colorado constitution) and district contingency reserve fund of $14.8 million.

 
Looking beyond next school year, Governor Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 213, the future Colorado School Finance Act, on May 21, 2013. SB 213 provides a major restructuring of the present school finance formula and significant new revenue to Colorado K-12 public education. However, the new school finance act will only go into effect if Colorado voters pass a state income tax increase. The details of proposed ballot language for the November 2013 state election will be available in June. The next blog on school finance will focus on that ballot language and the potential impact of the new school finance act on BVSD

Published: 5/25/2013 8:04 PM
]]> Maela Moore Sun, 26 May 2013 02:08:44 GMT http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=122 Safe Schools – Highest Priority http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=121 Body:

​The recent incident at Centaurus High School has provided an opportunity for district personnel to review emergency and safety procedures. I am very pleased with the response and performance of school personnel during the incident and I appreciate the assistance provided by law enforcement. All agencies will continue to debrief and refine the emergency processes. I am pleased that students and staff were safe throughout the entire endeavor.

Alert observation and communication by students and staff are the best proactive strategy on all of the school campuses. Students and staff members know the school setting and they observe and hear about situations that are not part of the normal routine. This information is very helpful when there is a threat or danger on campus. When school resumes in the fall, district personnel will continue training and working on procedures to maintain safe schools for all students and staff.

Following the incident many parents inquired how to talk with their children about school violence. Following are some helpful tips for beginning a conversation on this troubling topic:

  • The most important thing to remember is that such incidents are incredibly rare.
  • Despite the infrequency, these incidents are extremely unsettling. Allow your child to express their fears.
      * Listen calmly.
      * Correct any misconceptions or false information.
      * Tell the students the truth. Do not minimize the reality of the event.
  • Tell your child that you want to ensure their safety.
  • Reassure your child that schools are generally very safe places and that all school staff make student safety the highest priority.
  • If the fear is extremely high or does not subside in a short period of time (young people are very resilient), seek professional support for your child.

Once children have been reassured of their safety, it is important to continue the conversation about what you and your child can do to prevent such occurrences in the future.

  • Encourage your child to remain vigilant and to tell an adult in the school if they notice anything out of the ordinary.
  • Create a safety plan with your child, including safe places for them to go, ensuring that they know how to contact you, etc.
  • Discuss consequences of aggressive/violent behavior that you or the legal system might have if your child gets into fights, bullies others, etc.
  • Be a good role model. Model peaceful conflict resolution.
  • Help your child learn to examine ways to find solutions to problems. The more solutions they have in their “toolbox,” the less likely they are to turn to aggressive solutions.
  • Encourage kindness to everyone and minimize teasing behaviors.

For more information regarding this important topic, please see the following resources:

Talking to Kids about School Safety
(Mental Health America)   

Talking Points: Helping Children Following School Violence
(Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth)

Published: 5/20/2013 11:36 AM
]]> Maela Moore Mon, 20 May 2013 17:42:23 GMT http://www.bvsd.org/superintendent/blog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=121