Talk to the Sup PODCAST 007: What are the thoughts on the first week from some of our elementary students?

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You heard from the high school students, now listen to what some of our elementary students think about the first week of school as well as what they are looking forward in this school year.  

Talk to the Sup PODCAST 006: What do our secondary students think about the first week of school?

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In this podcast Superintendent Ogden speaks with three Sophomore students about the first week of school and things that they are excited about.  

First Day and the Eclipse

How exciting!  Our first day of school coincided with the Solar Eclipse.  Meeteetse was not in the path of totality but it was nearly 99% total.  Our students all had the opportunity to view the eclipse during the various stages with their teachers.  The students gathered on the football field and playgrounds to watch as day quickly turned to evening and there was a dramatic decrease in temperature.  I am impressed with how many of our wonderful educators took the time to teach our children about the eclipse and provided activities for them to understand perspective and distance.  What a fantastic learning activity.

Here are some additional photos's of the day.  I would invite you to add your photo's to the comments!

I'm sorry for our robo-call system - Change is in the air!

Tonight was a classic example of why we are moving away from our current Robo-Call system.  I created and scheduled a broadcast to go out to all of our parents and contacts regarding the first day of school, bus routes, and options for the eclipse.  No more than 2 minutes after receiving my phone call I start to get text messages from many of you stating that there was no message only dead air or a hangup.  GRRR.

I apologize for the inconvenience that this has caused not only tonight, but also in the past.  Within the next several weeks we will be instituting a new Robo-Call system that will allow you as a parent, student, or community member the opportunity to login and set up your own preferences (phone call, email, text) and then it stores the messages on the internet and you will be able to log in to hear / read any message that has been sent.  Yipp, they will be archived for future access.  We will work to get this in place just as soon as possible and will provide instructions and support to help you get set up.

In the meantime:  Here was the message from tonight!

Good evening Longhorns.  We hope that you are as excited for school to start as we are to have you coming back.  Just a reminder that school starts tomorrow at 8:00 am and that our bus routes have not changed: same time, same location.  We know that there is some hesitation about viewing the eclipse tomorrow.  If you would like to join us on the field to help your student keep their glasses on please do so.  We will be on the field about 11:30 AM.  If you would like your student to stay inside during the eclipse, we certainly honor that.  Just let the office or your students teacher know first thing in the morning.

We truly are excited to see everyone back tomorrow.  Our opening assembly will be at 8:10 on the football field.

GO HORNS!

Regional Sessions with APA (Augenblich, Palaich, and Associates)

Yesterday I had the opportunity of attending a "listening session" hosted by APA in Cody.  It was wonderful to have our board well represented, administration, and teachers at this meeting.  I want to give you a quick run down on some of the basics.  If you want to hear more about it, listen to the new podcast that will be posted in the next couple of days.

APA was seeking feedback from educators in regards to two different topics: the "basket of goods" (listen to a prior podcast for more information on what that is) and the funding of the "basket of goods."  Being well represented, PCSD 16 was able to share on both topics.

Of particular interest to me was the way that APA is going to go about collecting and analyzing information to make a recommendation to the recalibration committee (again, more information on recalibration in several prior posts.) Here is what they told us.

APA will use 5 different techniques to collect data:

1. Adequacy Study:  This study attempts to identify what it will take to get all students to the state standards and then cost out what that would take.  (This is the only system that was used by Picus and Oden - the former consultants).  
2. Evidence Based Model:  This model is accomplished by researching out what best practices are and what it would take to fund it.
3. Professional Judgement: In this technique, educators are brought together with the consultants in small groups to share what the ideal district and school would need to meet state standards and then APA would calculate what that cost would be.  
4. Successful Schools: Here APA will examine schools who are having success in the state and and determine what factors are leading to their success and determine what the cost would be to duplicate those efforts in other schools.  
5. Statistical Model:  This model would use many multiple data points that are then loaded into a computer which uses algorithms to determine cost of education.  They indicated that this model takes so many data points that they may not be able to provide this in the timeframe that they have.  

I was somewhat impressed to hear that there are so many different ways that they are going to look at funding education in the state of Wyoming.  I found the consultant to be very attentive and truly wanting to seek input.  I echo the statement of an educator who spoke in a session when she said, "Thank you for listening to us.  I hope that your report will reflect what we saw tonight."

So, exactly what did we see?  We heard from a lot of educators about the importance of various programs from STEM, librarians, to extra-curricular.  We heard from parent groups who supported education.  The common thread was; our students are the most valuable resource that Wyoming has, and their education needs to be funded appropriately.  Amen to that!

Now the question is, how can you get involved?  It really is pretty simple - there is a survey that you can take that will go directly to APA.  They indicated that all information will be kept confidential.  But they want to hear the success stories of Wyoming schools and why it was successful.  Now is the time for us to tell our story to someone who is willing to listen.  Now is the time for us rally the troops to support small rural schools (yes, consolidation is still being talked about).  Now is the time for us to demonstrate that we understand that the money well has dried up and show that we are willing to look at how we can be a partner in the solution, but not at the expense of our school and our student's opportunities.  Now is the time for us to convey to APA what having local control of our community school means.  So I implore you to find the time to share your story (be it good or bad).  

You can take the survey by clicking HERE or by going to the legislative website.   

Ongoing debate over school finances - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

Over the next 5 days, the consulting firm of Augenblick, Palaich, and Associates (APA) will be holding listening sessions across Wyoming to hear from district and school personnel concerning school finance recalibration.

I have posted several different times about recalibration and the process that is involved, as well as PCSD16's stance.  Tomorrow night, member of the board, administration, and teachers will have their opportunity to address several questions posed by APA in Cody.  Here is a small outline of some of our thoughts.

1. PCSD16 and Meeteetse Schools have always found ways to best serve our students.  Over the past handful of years, the board and administration have been very conscientious of funding needs and have looked for ways to "trim the fat" while building up the emergency fund.  These efforts continue.  We believe that given the current state of finances we can continue to provide an excellent education to our students.  We value having small class sizes and being able to offer the classes our students need to be successful in the future.  We recognize that we are partners with the legislators, department of education, and every Wyoming citizen in adjusting due to budget restraints.  
2. This past year we reduced our teaching staff nearly 2 positions and have found ways to continue to offer foreign language and Title I/Special Education services.  This is not ideal and as state revenue and funding hopefully increases in the coming years, we would like to replace the positions that we lost.  Being a small school and district we have to contract out for various courses and are not able to provide all requirements in-house.      
3.  Being a small school and district we have to contract out for various courses and are not able to provide all requirements in-house.  We find ways to provide the necessity.  At the same time, we could benefit in a revision or allowances for small districts, to credential teachers outside their content area, but with in the same discipline.  (Science is an example.)  We have worked hard to provide an additional upper level course this year (Chemistry) so that our students can compete with other students around the state.
4. Some have recommended moving to a "categorical funding model".  Wyoming currently uses a "lock grant" model that we prefer.  Under the categorical model the state would tell the district how they need to use the money they provide within very precise categories, where as in the block model, the local district has the ability to decide.  If we value having more teachers at the elementary level, we can allocate our funds to have nearly 1 teacher per class.  Under categorical, the state could say that we are funded 1:16 which would mean we would only be allowed to have 4 total teachers grades Pre-K-5.  We also value being able to have a school counselor here more than just 2 hours a day.  Under the block model we can determine how to spend that funding.  
5. We are currently striving to share resources with neighboring districts.  Perhaps we can continue to look for additional opportunities.  An example of this is that we are able to have our teachers participate in professional development opportunities that we could not afford on our own.  Through leveraging everyones money we can bring in the best opportunities for our staff.
6. Some funds that come from the state are considered "100% reimbursable."  Just because these funds get returned to us, it is our belief that they are still tax payer dollars and should not be used frivolously.  
7. In the past there has been a "hold harmless" clause to funding.  This clause recognized that small districts and schools have some additional needs that the larger districts don't.  In short, Meeteetse is to Wyoming what Wyoming is to the United States.  

Of course there are multiple perspectives on school funding.  Here is an article that was just released with additional information if you are interested.  It explores the questions of "Why are we doing this now, 3 years ahead of schedule" and "What might happen around the state if major budget cuts are made."
                 The cause of the time crunch is clear: Re-calibration usually takes place every five years. This time, it’s is                               three years ahead of schedule and occurs in the midst of a funding crisis such as the state has not seen for years.

You as an educator or citizen of Woming have the opportunity to have your voice heard by APA.  Senator Hank Coe and Representative Albert Sommers have invited any intereted person to provide witten comment to APA on the education program and the funding model via a xurvey.  The suvey will be open from August 14-25.  Click Here to take the survey

I truly hope that you take the time to voice your perspective on the current funding situation and to support our small district and school.  

Talk to the Sup PODCAST 005: What is the "Basket of Goods" spoken of in Wyoming Education?

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In this 2nd episode of the week, Superintendent Ogden talks about the term "Basket of Goods" that is often used to describe what every Wyoming student is entitled to.  Leave your feedback on how you would interpret the legislative description of "Basket of Goods."

Click Here to go to the Legislative Web Page

National FFA Finalist

Congratulations to Mr. Levi Gitlitz who became a National Finalist in FFA Agri-Science.  This is a return trip to nationals for Levi who has qualified in the past as well.  He also took a Bronze Medal for his Poultry Proficiency.  Great job Levi - We are proud of you!!!

Fall Sports Schedules

Talk to the Sup PODCAST 004: What does this year's StuCo have planned?

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Today Superintendent Ogden speaks with the 2017-2018 Student Body President, Taelor Ogden.  Listen in to hear about some of the events of the year as well as the theme and goal of the student council.  

Talk to the Sup PODCAST 003: What is the Longhorn League?

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This week Superintendent Ogden discusses the parent organization "Longhorn League."  Listen to hear about how you can get involved and help support the student's of Meeteetse.  

Recalibration Follow-up

In a prior post, I spoke about the recalibration process here in Wyoming.  Since the meeting that I attended in Powell some weeks ago, there has been an additional meeting of the recalibration committee.  The new consultants have set up various dates to listen to stakeholders.  Our local meeting will be held on August 15th (Tuesday) at 5:00 pm in the Cody High School Cafeteria.  They want to hear from local school employees and the public about the needs of Wyoming schools.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the town of Meeteetse to show up and encourage support for small rural districts and schools.  I hope you will be able to attend.

A board member from Powell, Kimberly Condie wrote this article that I am attaching to this post.  She does a wonderful job of explaining various aspects of school funding and the already accomplished budget cuts that we have gone through.  I would encourage you to take time to read it and gain a better understanding from the big picture of recalibration.

Don't forget, Tuesday August 15th in the Cody High School Cafeteria.

http://trib.com/opinion/columns/condie-legislators-must-fund-education/article_d940063c-5aae-5474-a8e7-5a6dd71be6bf.html