2003 Year in Review

Focus on Result...The Strategic Plan

Thirty-six members of the community, including parents, students, teachers, staff, and school board members met Tuesday, October 14 for the MCUD #6 Strategic Planning Meeting. The purpose of this meeting was to review the “Focus on Results” that will be sent to every home in the school district this week.

After reviewing the “Focus” newspaper, all residents are encouraged to fill out the survey included or go online after October 17 at www.morrisonschools.org (only one per computer). Surveys can be returned to Sullivan’s, Fitzgerald’s, Dairy Queen, Community State Bank, Wells Fargo, Metro Bank or any school. Surveys must be received by October 29, 2003.

Last year Dr. Jody Ware began the process by compiling a survey from the community. Then the planning group wrote a “Mission Statement” and “Plan on a Page”, a vision for the district for the next five years. Lynn Feaver, a consultant, led the group discussion by explaining the three criteria set up at last years Strategic Planning Meeting and the results according to the “Focus on Results”.

The first criterion is quality of education. The measure for the district was whether 100% of students would meet the state learning standards by 2007. Students are tested by grade level and subject matter, for example 3rd, 5th, and 8th graders are only tested in reading, math, and writing. Weaver questioned the group whether 100% was too high a goal. Board member, Joy Tegeler, explained, “this is only one years worth of scores, next year we can compare two years. And how will larger class sizes affect scores in the future?” Other questions referred to whether scores were good criteria. Will teachers be teaching to test? But others commented “Good test results draw families to the school district”.

General statistics showed the enrollment dropped 3.7% during the last three years and that figure decreases state revenues. The kindergarten has 20 less students than last year. At the same time the teaching staff has decreased 16%. The group questioned what are the reasons people move in and out of the district.

Students receiving free or reduced lunches increased 4% this year from 15%-19%. Students qualifying also get reduced/free sports and enrollment. Jim Prombo, junior high principal, explained, “Statistics show lower social economic classes equal lower performing students”.

The second measure for quality of education is satisfaction of students, parents, staff, and graduates. On the whole teachers and students were satisfied with the school. They scored the schools a 3.8 on a scale of 5.0. Other measures include technology development, students enrolling in post-secondary education, and educators obtaining higher education. A technology committee of community members has been formed and technology workshops have been given the teaching staff. In 2003 81% (not 8.1%) of students chose post-secondary education and over 75% of teachers have their Master’s Degree. “Studies show students perform better with experienced teachers. They may cost more but doesn’t the school district want better teachers?”

The second criterion is fiscal management. Dr. Ware explained, “the district is on the early warning list and the first criteria required by the state is to balance the budget”. Total revenues last year were down by $1.78 million, which reduced the working capital from 21% in 2001 to 9% at the end of last year. “A healthy $9 million operation should have $1.5-2 million in reserve,” according to Dr. Ware. The tax rate for 2003 is the maximum allowed rate. Joy Tegeler explained, “The total tax rate has increased because of interest on borrowed money”.

Board member, Dave Boyles, summed up the evening by explaining, “we have reasonable test scores, our satisfaction survey shows teachers and students are happy and we have a balanced budget, but what about the future?”

The last criterion is communication. According to Sally Gray, Board President, “communication has increased 10 fold”. The district started their web site www.morrisonschools.org, Dr. Ware has spoken to community organizations, and published information in the newspapers. Teachers turn in a yearly log of the contacts they have made with parents.

Members of this meeting were to encourage dialogue about the “Focus”. Dr Ware told the crowd to listen and clarify. The group is interested in knowing what the community is thinking by filling out the survey or going online.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
October 16, 2003