School Districts prepare for major budget reductions:

TASB staffing review for North Forest by Timothy Rocka

North Forest ISD studies staff cuts after TASB report
NORTHEAST– As the legislature continues its budget process, school districts such as Aldine and North Forest are preparing their own budgets and staffing, with the knowledge that the state will provide a lot less money in the next two years than in previous budgets.
As of last week, Aldine ISD posted a notice on their website of anticipated funding cuts, amounting to somewhere between $34 to $62 million, depending upon whether the state adopts a House or a Senate proposal, or something between. Aldine detailed not only the general funds that would be cut, but also some programs that are expected to lose their support, too. These included technology, pre-kindergarten, student success, DATE teachers, middle school PE, advanced placement, and high school success and completion grants. The implication on this posting is that if the legislature cuts these grants, AISD will not be able to offer these programs. Therefore, the school district was asking parents to contact their legislators and ask for these funds to be restored, for the sake of their child’s education.

North Forest ISD is studying a report from the Texas Association of School Boards, that was presented at last week’s board meeting by Timothy Rocka. He made comparisons with statewide averages and accepted norms for staffing ratios, with the conclusion that many reductions in staffing would be possible at North Forest to save money.
In particular, he found in the area of Instructional & Support, based on the size of the district, that they could eliminate 6 assistant principals, 6.5 counselors, 40.2 instructional aides, 22 district clerks, and 20.2 central office staff, thereby saving a total of $3,893,000 per year. Rocka termed these cuts “absorption or recudtions.” He said they could be immediate, or phased over several years. His criteria was comparing North Forest to five other similar districts, he said.
Also studied were teaching positions, with the results that 6 elementary teachers could be eliminated by increasing the average student/teacher ratio from 21.4 to 22, for a savings of $276,360.
In middle schools, a change in ratio from the current 16.3 to 25 students per teachers would eliminate 32 teachers, at a savings of $1,457,000.
At the high school, changing the ratio from 16 students per teacher now to 25 would eliminate 37.6 teachers, at a savings of $1,759,000.
In the discussion that followed, trustee Brooks-Williams was concerned about the academic impact of these proposed cuts, if carried out. Rocka pointed out that student ratios are lower in elective subjects, and higher in core subjects, which would ameliate the lessening of academic results somewhat.
Forté pointed out that the high school will be receiving some additional Title I federal grant monies over the next three years, and this may help the staffing situation there.
Rocka had other recommendations. In healthcare, he said that the district could change to 2 RN nurses, and 10 LVN nurses, to save $161,960. He said that athletic coaches should be required to teach in their core subject, to save staff.
Rocka felt that other departments, such as maintenance, and custodial had already been reduced and were operating “lean” or in some cases were actually understaffed. He said that transportation department was about the right size.
Other North Forest Board Actions
Acting Superintendent Edna Forté reported that notifications of terminations, that were decided on by the board last week, have begun and are ongoing.
She also reported that the Gates Foundation will hold its second round of competitions for grants, in September, and they have invited North Forest to compete.
Dr. Johnny O’Connor, currently executive director of Academic Support & Innovation, was appointed Deputy Acting Superintendent.
At a special Called Board Meeting held last week on Thursday, April 14, the board approved Forté’s request for a “reorganization” of the administration. To affect this, nominal terminations were approved for most administrative positions, including the athletic director Shawn Hollaran, probationary contract employees, deputy superintendent Travis Weatherspoon, executive director of Academic Support & Innovation Dr. Johnny O’Connor, chief financial officer Ron Wilson, executive director of Human Capital Management Glenda Gimms, director of educational foundation/communication Nakisha Myles. However, after reorganization many of these staff will be retained, Forté explained.
The board also authorized investigation into complaints of misconduct by Dr. Adrain Johnson, and command staff of the NF police department.
In other business, the board voted to move the 9th grade class onto the North Forest high school campus in 2011-2012.