“Whatever It Takes” to Overcome Fiscal Challenges

A Message from Superintendent Todd White

We are living in challenging financial times, and the District already is feeling the impact.

Shrinking revenues from local and state funding sources pushed us to deficit spend this year. In other words, we moved money from the fund balance (our backup operating capital) to supplement our current budget. We will not be able to do the same in next year’s budget. At the year’s end, the fund balance is projected to be 14.75%, which is at the lower end of the parameters set by the Board of Education [16% (+/- 2%)]. In short, to continue our financial stability, we must operate under a balanced budget next year (2010-2011).

As Superintendent, it is my charge to determine a plan where we remain true to our focus of increasing student achievement — and do so within our financial means. To that end, more than ever, we must use our resources in the most effective and efficient way possible. We will need to make some changes and some short term sacrifices to carry us through the next two-to-three years.

Last night at the Special Board of Education Meeting I outlined a plan to reallocate resources to more directly impact student achievement, and I want to share them with you. Part of the plan is financial, the other is structural. Chief Financial Officer Paul Harrell presented a multi-year fiscal overview. I presented a new leadership structure that will decrease the size of Central Office Administration and shifts those fiscal resources to the school and classroom level.

Since our focus is student achievement, it is appropriate to concentrate our fiscal and human resources in schools and classrooms. With a growing student population and increasing special needs of our students, we need to keep our pupil/teacher ratios in check. With limited resources, we need to strategically target our educational resources and support services. We cannot expect teachers to increase student achievement if we overload their classrooms, and our educational programs must meet the evolving needs of our students.

Change is not easy, but it is necessary, and I know we can do this. People who work in public education are mission-driven, caring people who want to make a difference through the work they do. As long as we remain focused on our mission, we will succeed.

Thank you for taking time to understand the challenges that lie ahead. Together, we will do whatever it takes to overcome the fiscal challenges and meet our student achievement goals.

For more about the special school board meeting and cost containment plans, read The Kansas City Star article posted online today:
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1582701.html