Central Point School District #6

We can finally put the 2009-2010 budget away and begin planning for the 2010-2011 school year budget, thanks in large part to the passage of Measures 66 and 67. It is unfortunate that funding continues to be a central focus for the Board and administration, but recent indicators continue to show a slow economic recovery. There was a great deal of confusing information around the impact of Measures 66 and 67 on school operations. The Measures do not provide additional funds for the District. Passage of 66 and 67 allow us to operate under the budget developed last spring by the Budget Committee and adopted by the School Board. As we plan for next school year, we will use the figures the Legislature provided in the 2009-2011 biennium budget. That budget provides no additional funds for next year, beyond the projected 2% increase in the second year of the biennium.

Over the next several months we will be asking our community to give us feedback on the four-day week. With a few exceptions, we were able to provide a comparable program for students during the 2009-2010 school year as was provided during the 2008-2009 school year. Programs were maintained, no teachers were cut and class sizes were generally within the same ranges as the previous year. Adjusting the school program to four days a week has been a learning experience for us all. Teachers have worked hard to be certain students receive the core of the curriculum and that we continue to show growth on State Assessments. Early indicators suggest teachers have done a remarkable job of keeping the ship afloat during these troubled economic times.

As I visit schools I continue to observe hard working staffs, happy students and the buzz of learning. It reminds me that the really important aspects of education happen in the classroom, not the District Administration Building.

Sincerely,

Randy Gravon

Superintendent

How have Oregon’s K-12 students and schools been affected by reduced state funding? (PDF Download)

Along with reducing the state budget, the 2009 Oregon Legislature passed two bills that would increase some corporate and personal income taxes. These bills are expected to raise $733 million in revenue, which is included in the 2009-2011 state budget to prevent further cuts to schools, health care and public safety. The Legislature has taken the following actions to fill the projected $4 billion budget gap.

1. Cut approximately $2 billion in state services.
2. Add approximately $1 billion in Federal Stimulus funds.
3. Add approximately $800 million in additional State revenue.
4. Use $255 million in State Reserves.

The Legislature set January 26, 2010 as the election day for Measures 66 and 67. A YES vote will confirm the Legislature’s bills. A NO vote will prevent the Legislature from collecting the additional revenue.

For 97.5% of all Oregonians, these bills will have no impact on them. It will only affect individuals making more than $125,000 or couples making more than $250,000 annually. The additional tax will only apply to the amount above these maximums. This means a couple making $260,000 will pay an additional $180 annually.

Corporations would pay an additional 1.3 % on profits over $250,000 for 2009-2010 and would reduce to 1% in 2011 and 2012. It will be reduced further starting in 2013. Two-thirds of the corporations in Oregon pay the minimum an annual tax of $10. This bill would raise the minimum to $150 for Corporations making less than $500,000. Corporations making a profit above $500,000 would pay 1/1000th in additional taxes. These changes would move Oregon from the 3rd lowest ranked business tax in the nation to the 5th lowest.

Failure of Measures 66 and 67 would require Central Point School District 6 to cut an additional 1.6 million from the budget. This translates to cutting approximately 25 teachers or further reducing our school calendar by 14 days.

Please know the issues and vote on January 26, 2010.

4-Day Week Calendar

Attached you will find the approved calendar for the 2009-2010 school year. The new calendar reflects a Four-Day Week for students beginning September 1, 2009 and concluding June 17, 2010. This revised calendar reflects a reduction of more than 15 days due to a $2.5 million short fall in the District’s operating budget for 2009-2010. Based on feedback from the community, employee groups and the District 6 Board of Directors, the decision was made to keep teachers, programs and smaller class sizes in tact by reducing the number of school days. The District was able to maintain all programs currently offered by cutting employee work days, thus saving the cost of salaries for those days.

I would like to thank our parents for participating in the difficult task of determining how to provide the best education for our students with the $2.5 million shortfall. None of the options available were good, but I believe with your support we have achieved the best opportunity to provide a quality education to all of our students with the Four-Day Week and full staffing. What is lost in quantity will be made up for with quality. Also, our employee groups; teachers, administrators and classified, were willing to work cooperatively with the Board to arrive at a decision that best served our community. I appreciate their sacrifice.

I know there will be challenges as we begin the new school year with these changes. We may need to make adjustments and alterations as we face new issues, but I am confident that once the routine is set, we will find new opportunities to enhance learning for our students. I believe our community will continue to take pride in the quality education provided by District 6.

Thanks for your support and feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Randy Gravon
Superintendent