Teacher layoffs anticipated
Student enrollment and budget limitations are some factors the o New London School District addressed in preparation for the 2012-13 school year.
An anticipated $1.5 million budget adjustment due to reduction in revenue limit and declining enrollment at the high school attributed to several staff layoffs.
The district has experienced a small decline in enrollment at each of the four elementary schools for years. According to Superintendent Bill Fitzpatrick, this decline magnifies when students enter one school from all the elementary schools.
Adjustments to address the declining enrollment were made two years ago. The district added a Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program and the moved fifth and sixth grades together to create an Intermediate School within the Middle School.
The district is now seeing a similar pattern at the high school level. This year the district had approximately 220 graduating seniors with 175 incoming freshmen.
"This trend will continue for the next three years," Fitzpatrick said. "With that many fewer students an adjustment to the staff was imminent."
Administrators followed the terms of the collective bargaining agreement in determining those to be relieved.
"We are saddened to lose a number of quality individuals in the process," Fitzpatrick said.
Transfers to fill vacancies have yet to be determined. Decisions will be made after any final resignations or retirements are announced.
The district is also looking to study possible reductions in school bus routes for the next school year.
With budget constraints the district could see a 1 1/2 bus route reduction by shifting students to multiple buses.
One full route could be reduced by shifting students along Highway W near the high school to multiple buses. The other half route would be the second part of the elementary route the district reduced last fall, according to Joseph Marquardt, Director of Business Services.
In eliminating a route, the districts looks at safety first, ride time second and budget impact third.
The targeted routes will be studied in June and will be addressed further with school board members.
If a route is eliminated, contact will be made to families before the September 4, 2012 school start date.
One issue the district will continue to see is long bus rides for students due to the district's boundaries; specifically the Intermediate, Middle and High School students living on the north or south boundaries.
"With our efforts to fill buses to capacity but limit the time on the bus becomes a challenge," Marquardt said. "But necessary with budget constraints and fiscal responsibility."
A letter on busing transportation information for the 2012-13 school year will be sent home with students this month. An "Intent to Ride" letter will also be sent home with students.
"Transportation changes can be very difficult," Marquardt said. "Once routes are planned, an addition of one or two families can change an entire routing system."
The bus transportation letters are necessary for the district to begin process of bus routing for next year.
Open Enrollment Budget Update
The open enrollment estimated amount for the 2012-13 school year is approximately $6,500, a 5.6 percent reduction from this school year.
The district questioned why the amount was not reduced last year when the total revenue limit was reduced per member. According to Marquardt, it took a one year to catch up.
"This is positive for New London because we have a net loss of students," Marquardt said. "However we are projected to see a net loss of students."
Open enrollment is defined as revenue generated by students attending the School District of New London that do not live within the boundaries of the district. The revenue is received from the resident school district of the student.
The 2011-12 school year had a net loss of 51 students, approximately $350,000 loss in revenue. The district estimates a net loss of 58 students or a $375,000 loss in revenue for the 2012-13 school year.
"I state that these are estimates," Marquardt said. "We will not know exactly the number of students that will attend or leave the district until the first day of school."
More specific updates on how the district is addressing the open enrollment loss will be discussed at an administrator meeting this month.
An anticipated $1.5 million budget adjustment due to reduction in revenue limit and declining enrollment at the high school attributed to several staff layoffs.
The district has experienced a small decline in enrollment at each of the four elementary schools for years. According to Superintendent Bill Fitzpatrick, this decline magnifies when students enter one school from all the elementary schools.
Adjustments to address the declining enrollment were made two years ago. The district added a Four-Year-Old Kindergarten program and the moved fifth and sixth grades together to create an Intermediate School within the Middle School.
The district is now seeing a similar pattern at the high school level. This year the district had approximately 220 graduating seniors with 175 incoming freshmen.
"This trend will continue for the next three years," Fitzpatrick said. "With that many fewer students an adjustment to the staff was imminent."
Administrators followed the terms of the collective bargaining agreement in determining those to be relieved.
"We are saddened to lose a number of quality individuals in the process," Fitzpatrick said.
Transfers to fill vacancies have yet to be determined. Decisions will be made after any final resignations or retirements are announced.
The district is also looking to study possible reductions in school bus routes for the next school year.
With budget constraints the district could see a 1 1/2 bus route reduction by shifting students to multiple buses.
One full route could be reduced by shifting students along Highway W near the high school to multiple buses. The other half route would be the second part of the elementary route the district reduced last fall, according to Joseph Marquardt, Director of Business Services.
In eliminating a route, the districts looks at safety first, ride time second and budget impact third.
The targeted routes will be studied in June and will be addressed further with school board members.
If a route is eliminated, contact will be made to families before the September 4, 2012 school start date.
One issue the district will continue to see is long bus rides for students due to the district's boundaries; specifically the Intermediate, Middle and High School students living on the north or south boundaries.
"With our efforts to fill buses to capacity but limit the time on the bus becomes a challenge," Marquardt said. "But necessary with budget constraints and fiscal responsibility."
A letter on busing transportation information for the 2012-13 school year will be sent home with students this month. An "Intent to Ride" letter will also be sent home with students.
"Transportation changes can be very difficult," Marquardt said. "Once routes are planned, an addition of one or two families can change an entire routing system."
The bus transportation letters are necessary for the district to begin process of bus routing for next year.
Open Enrollment Budget Update
The open enrollment estimated amount for the 2012-13 school year is approximately $6,500, a 5.6 percent reduction from this school year.
The district questioned why the amount was not reduced last year when the total revenue limit was reduced per member. According to Marquardt, it took a one year to catch up.
"This is positive for New London because we have a net loss of students," Marquardt said. "However we are projected to see a net loss of students."
Open enrollment is defined as revenue generated by students attending the School District of New London that do not live within the boundaries of the district. The revenue is received from the resident school district of the student.
The 2011-12 school year had a net loss of 51 students, approximately $350,000 loss in revenue. The district estimates a net loss of 58 students or a $375,000 loss in revenue for the 2012-13 school year.
"I state that these are estimates," Marquardt said. "We will not know exactly the number of students that will attend or leave the district until the first day of school."
More specific updates on how the district is addressing the open enrollment loss will be discussed at an administrator meeting this month.
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