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.