Lawrence Superintendent Rick Doll will chat with LJWorld.com readers at 1 p.m. Thursday. Doll, in his first year in Lawrence, will answer questions about choices board members have to make as they grapple with at least $4 million in budget cuts due to the state’s fiscal crisis.

Did_I_say_that

How much has District level Administration, Support Staff, and support costs increased since 1999 when the District moved from its District Office on Clinton Parkway to the Fannie Mae building that ESDC now occupies?

Did_I_say_that

Given the choice of closing a school or laying off six District Directors, both providing nearly $600K in projected savings, which would you choose? Why?

consumer1

I often hear, “that money is in a different budget”. What I would like to know is, why is that money put into a budget for tree’s or anything else, when the classrooms are in such desperate need? Does the budget committee not know from one year to the next they are going to use up the classroom budget? Why are we constantly building new schools and closing other schools down? I am fed up with the growing abyss called USD 497 and its continuous bad management of the taxpayers money. How much exactly do you think is available from us? also, if you please? Where does the money come from to pay lobbiest? Is that tax payer money? Surey everyone knows that school budgets must be used up to the last penny every year just so you can ask for more the next year? How about, not wasting the taxpayers money and give it back at the end of the year next year?

consumer1

also I was wondering isn’t it a conflict of interest to allow one parent provide so much funding to build a stadium? How are the children of that parent treated in the school that Daddy just bought? Pretty well I would imagine. I know I am not playing nice, but I figure with the salary you make you should be able to field any question from a tax payer who helps pay that big salary. So, why can’t we the taxpayer’s expect the big salaries to perform to our benefit rather than our detriment? Should you be saving us tax dollars instead of just asking the cash cow for more and more??

consumer1

I would like to see an itemized accounting for every penny spent at the district office. I would be willing to bet that, just like previous superintendents you had your new office remodelled and refurnished at taxpayers expense, is this true? What about your secretary? was his/her office also remodelled?

consumer1

I also would like to question the tactics of this taxpayer funded organization.
Why when the district wants more money to spend, do you go for the jugular of the students? cutting funding to classrooms, bussing, and closing schools. If you are worth your money, make things work within your budget!! What on earth would you do if school was in session for a full year??? Your district claims to not even be able to manage your budget, quit picking the low fruit and work for you money.

amcgraw

Obama’s Race to the Top plan is expanding so that school districts as well as States can apply for monies available in the 2011 budget. Is the Lawrence School District planning on pursuing this option. Also, the current white house administration is promoting elementary school learning and the state of Kansas has applied for some of the money that is and or will be available. When looking at making cuts have you considered the guidelines required to obtain these funds before altering areas that might hurt the chances of receiving funds later – or reducing funds in areas that look like there will be funding for next year as a short term fix.

amcgraw

What is your opinion on the status of Lawrence’s only rural school. Wakarusa Valley – it is small school but it serves a unique part of Lawrence’s community. There has been talk about boundary changes – which is a huge undertaking but perhaps a few more apartment areas could be moved into this school with little impact to add to the number of students. Currently some children in the rural part of Douglas county have a bus ride of an hour a day. Closing this school would impact these kids commute considerably, while closing a school in town would only add a few more minutes to a childs day. Do you think closing Wakarusa Valley needs to be evaluated under a different set of circumstances than the schools in town.

Hop2It

If the hours of most paraprofessionals are reduced from 8 hours to 7.5 or 7 hours as proposed, will they lose their eligibility for health insurance and other benefits? Is the savings actually coming not from $10 (or so) salary, but by cutting their benefits?
Some of kids in my child’s school have severe physical and learning disbilities. Paraprofessionals in the classroom are a “bargain” that actually give teachers time to teach.

Hepburn

What impact will budget cuts have on athletic activities? I assume that sports will not be eliminated, but am I wrong? Will there be restrictions on participant numbers and teams? Will there be fewer coaches? Will there be additional costs to players, parents? Will there be additional charges for entry into game venues? Please be specific and don’t say “all aspects will be evaluated” or something similar. Thanks

And, isn’t it true that the while the new sports turf fields on campus may have initial higher costs to get going, they will be a cost savings in operational costs over time? And, facility construction payments come out of accounts which are not available for operations?

badgerluke

If my understanding’s correct, the last time closing schools was pushed as a way to deal with budget shortfalls, Scott Morgan was the impetus behind it and basically lost his position as a result. He’s back and pushing the same thing. Why are you and the board even considering closing any elementary school when history and current public comment demonstrate it’s not what the people of Lawrence want?

lawrencemom2

We’re faced with very tough choices regarding the budget as a result of the cuts in funding from the state. If school closures are taken “off the table”, can you give us an idea of how dramatically different our schools will look for our students as a result? Thanks.

badgerluke

Can you explain the district’s rationale for firing (or “non-renewing”) newer teachers before the end of the school year just because the fall enrollment numbers are unknown at the time? Doesn’t this mean: 1) potentially letting go incredibly gifted and experienced teachers who just happen to be in their first or second year in Lawrence; and 2) incurring unnecessary administrative costs on the back end when the district ends up having to hire more teachers anyway because the enrollment numbers are generally greater than anticipated?

KU_cynic

I am concerned about recent discussions regarding middle/high school reconfigurations and possible elementary school closings. Parents and tax payers have only recently been given an opportunity to study these issues and begin to comment on them, but school insiders tell me, “It’s a done deal.” In other words, there is a perception that you, your staff, and key members of the school board have made up their minds about these issues and that public forums and such are merely for show. Watching the demeanor of yourself and school board member Scott Morgan on television during public commentary at Tuesday night’s meeting only reinforced this perception. Frankly, both you and Mr. Morgan could use some coaching on how to behave in such circumstances.

Please reassure me that the decision-making process remains open to discussion and outside ideas — and that you and board members will not merely go through the motions and only pretend to listen to concerned parents and tax payers.

bwebcorp

What is the $4.7 million increase in capital improvements for? Couldn’t some of those improvements be put off for a year?

ksbeast

One cut that I’ve heard mentioned several times is raising class sizes by one or two or even four kids. Adding that many to my kid’s class doesn’t sound like much. Am I missing something?

JohnDa

A detailed study shows that closing a school will reduce neighborhood property values as much as 10%. Do you believe that the school board should consider the broader economic impacts when making their decision?

oscarfactor

My daughter is in 8th grade. I just enjoyed watching her perform in the “all-city” chorus performance at the Lied Center. She plays school volleyball and track, and is part of the gifted program. Before ANY extracurricular or special programming is cut, will you seriously consider some sort of Pay to Play option in an attempt to save these excellent programs?

spiderd

You’ve been quoted as saying you’re in favor of “megaschools” in the past but now retract from that statement. Why the change in heart?

bobbyklein

If a school is closed, will the board consider selling the underlying land to help contribute to the shortfall? If so, will the board consider the “market value” of the land in making a decision or can you confirm that the land value is not a factor? If not–and 85% of the budget is salaries–can the cuts be accomplished with staff reductions at all schools rather than closing a few?

braverthanu

Why is there no specifics as to which administration jobs could be cut? Why doesn’t the administration entertain the idea of a 10% salary decrease. The board says they are looking at everything including administration but has never given specifics. That smells funny to me and the public.

four11

If some of the “smaller” schools agree to take in transfers from “overcrowded” schools as a way of making a sacrifice, then will the district honor these sacrifices by taking them up this offer? If so, will the administration being willing to make deep sacrifices of their own?

puckstah

Dr. Doll

If schools are closed, wouldn’t the number of students from those closed schools increase the class sizes at schools that are not closed?

It seems that there is a perception that an either/or situation exists – close schools or increase class sizes, when actually, either way, class sizes will increase.

10612244a

Would you please explain how class sizes will increase more if all schools remain open, as opposed to the sizes if some schools are closed? Since the children at closed schools will need to go to the remaining schools, wouldn’t that mean that class sizes will increase even more in that scenario?

sonjahart

All the school districts in the state seem to be having similar short falls/cut backs. Why don’t all the districts pool together for employee insurance. I would think this would be a huge savings to all involved.

gr3sam

So far, the entirety of the public discussion by the school board seems to revolve around school closures. Meanwhile, the public presentations on Monday raised alternatives that, at the very least, merit consideration by the administration and the school board. Unencumbered funds being released to cover the present budget shortages and other, non-itemized budget expenses being cut come immediately to mind. From having been present at that meeting, and having viewed the body language and facial expressions of several of the school board members, it appears that these ideas are being given short shrift. At what point, if ever, do you see the school board seriously considering some of these alternatives to school closures.

gr3sam

You stated, “if buildings are sold those funds must be placed in the capital outlay fund and cannot be used for general fund expenditures.” Has any consideration been given to lobbying the legislature to change this law so that capital outlay funds can be spent on operating costs?

New2KU

Would there be an affect on federal funding if the student teacher ratio is increased to high?

kansasmom

I would like to see an accounting system put in place for schools that could compares apples to apples, such as comparing similar districts to others and be able to compare budgets that way. I know banks and financial institutions do this and publish them in the paper. That way someone can look at each item and compare schools to see how the money is spent. This could be a uniform report that is published quarterly or even twice a year. I think schools of similar size in students should be compared to each other. Would you support something like this and think it would work?

KU_cynic

please see my questions submitted earlier .. . .

puckstah

In what areas has the district administration considered how to increase revenue?

Moderator

OK. Rick and Julie Boyle, the district’s communications director, are here. So we will get started now. Welcome back, Rick and Julie. We have lots of questions, but first, Rick can you please recap what has happened this week after the board meeting Monday and the forum Tuesday evening?

Rick Doll

The staff continues to gather information in response to board member and patron questions. We continue to search the budget for cuts.

Moderator

We have lots of questions, mostly about the budget. So we will jump right in.

New2KU

Superintendent Doll,
If all of the current proposed budget cuts are made, and we don’t close down any of the current facilities, what will be the ramifications be to our current students? Will this increase class size accross the board on already overcrowded schools? What will happen to our current faculties?

Thanks for your time.

not_that_crazy

If the smaller schools are not closed, will the budget cut to decrease staff and increase teacher/child ratio only be at certain schools? Some schools’ classrooms are 1) already full and 2) have higher ratios that other schools.

Rick Doll

If the board chooses to continue to operate all schools, then cuts will go deeper in other areas. This will mean that class sizes will increase more and cuts to other programs must go deeper. Raising the student-teacher ratio (increasing class size) is one way to save money. Raising the ratio by one saves $1 million at the expense of about 20 teachers. This does not mean that every class simply has one more student. Since class sizes vary greatly across the district some very small classes may not be impacted because there are not enough students at that grade level. Other classes could see significant increases particularly if the ratio is raised by four.

Other programs would be reduced like, music, library services, guidance counselors, nursing services, administrative serves, athletics/activities. These cuts are outlined on the district website under budget planning.

bobbyklein

If a school is closed, will the board consider selling the underlying land to help contribute to the shortfall? If so, will the board consider the “market value” of the land in making a decision or can you confirm that the land value is not a factor? If not–and 85% of the budget is salaries–can the cuts be accomplished with staff reductions at all schools rather than closing a few?

Rick Doll

First of all, if buildings are sold those funds must be placed in the capital outlay fund and cannot be used for general fund expenditures. The real savings in closing a school are in personnel because several positions would no longer be needed, like principal, counselor, librarian, etc. Some teachers could also be cut because we have room in other neighborhood schools for the students.

Budget reductions could be accomplished by making cuts to all schools, but these cuts would simply have to be deeper if the district does not save money by closing schools.

JohnDa

Yes or No. Using the information that you currently have, do you believe that closing schools is the best way to make up some of the budget shortfall.

Rick Doll

This is a board of education decision. Staff will provide information for the board to make their decision.

volunteer

Specifically which central office Administrative positions do you propose the Administration eliminate or combine in response to the fiscal dilemma?

Rick Doll

We have recommended $250,000 in cuts to central office in addition to the $400,000 that was cut in June. This is a 12% total cut. We are still identifying specific positions that will be cut or combined.

braverthanu

Why isn’t the board entertaining the idea of mostly administration cuts during this budgetary crises?

Rick Doll

The board can consider more cuts to central office administration. School administration is also targeted for cuts.

mfagan

I’ll put together a question others have posed to me: Has there been, or is there any chance of, current district employees and teachers having their pay cut — an alternative to cutting programs or closing schools? To cover $5 million, cuts for 1,400 employees would need to average nearly $3,600 a year, by my calculations. That’s a lot. But is such a possibility (including smaller pay cuts) even out there, or are pay cuts a nonstarter?

Rick Doll

Pay cuts have been discussed at the administrative level. All teacher salaries are negotiated so reductions cannot be made unilaterally. The board could choose to make cuts to administrative and classified salaries. It would take a 6.15% cut to all salaries to achieve a savings of $4 million. Our expected deficit has just grown to $5 million because of an increase in health insurance premiums for next year.

kuspiderman

How do our salaries for administrators and teachers compare to similarly sized districts? What percentage of the annual budget is spent on “in-the-classroom” expenses, and how does that compare to similarly sized districts?

Rick Doll

Teacher salaries are average at best and are not as competitive as Johnson County. Administrative salaries would also fall in the average range but vary by position.

Please go to the district website under “budget at a glance” for information about specific instructional expenses.

By the way, all information that has been presented to the board is also posted on the website under budget planning.

NewYorkLilly

One cost cutting measure published has been to cut the health services staff by 5 registered nurses or almost half. This was also done in early 2000. Registered nurses provided health care as well as classroom health education, counseling,and assist families in finding and accessing community services. Would it not be money better spent to retain our nurses and expand their role rather than retaining unlicensed health office assistants?

Rick Doll

Yes, if we were not facing a $5 million budget deficit. This is good example of the difficult task confronting the board. Nurses are very important as are all the support services we provide our students. We must balance what we want for our students and what we can afford.

maudeandcecil

Dr. Doll,

Mine is a procedural question: During the Monday Feb 8th Board meeting, you explained to the Board that they will be briefed in more detail on budgetary issues in small group sessions. Please explain what will be discussed in the small sessions and why they are being conducting out of public view. What is the procedure for determining which Board members will attend the sessions together? If it is the case that sensitive information is going to be shared, why not request an executive session where all members attend together? Do you think that you may inadvertently be creating more public distrust by utilizing the small session strategy?

Thank you.

Rick Doll

The open meetings law requires that all governmental business be conducted in open session. We follow the law.

Moderator

We have time for two more questions. I want to thank our readers for their interest, and I apologize we couldn’t get to all of them. Several of the questions overlapped on certain topics, so I tried to cover as much ground as possible.

logical_parent

Will there be someone who compiles the suggestions that parents are giving to you and the board at board meeting? Can the public see the final list and will you give reasons why you may not be utilizing the suggestions?

Rick Doll

Staff takes notes at the meetings, and the board discusses viable suggestions. All emails and letters are forwarded to individual board members. If your suggestions do not make the final list I encourage you to contact my office.

Moderator

Our final question, Rick, goes back to the overall budget picture.

jtunge

At this point, has your administration identified 4 million dollars worth of potential reductions that do not require closing schools?

Rick Doll

Yes, those cuts would be very deep into programs and raise class sizes significantly.

I would like to remind the public that the board has scheduled three more forums. Feb. 15, 7:00 pm at Southwest, March 1, 7:00 pm at Central and March 2, 7:30 at West.

Rick Doll

On behalf of the board I would like to thank the community for engaging in this budget planning process.

Moderator

Thanks again to everyone who submitted questions.