Board likely to take back reins on school closures

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

It's likely that the decision about whether to close Red Feather Lakes Elementary will be made by the elected Poudre School District Board of Education, rather than by Superintendent Jerry Wilson.

The mountain school is the only remaining school being considered for possible closure, as PSD struggles with budget cuts from the state. The board was scheduled to vote on who makes the decision on Jan. 26, after the North Forty News went to press.

Board president Nancy Tellez said there seemed to be general agreement at the Jan. 12 meeting that school closures should be the responsibility of the board. "Most of us seem to be in favor of that," she said.

In June of last year, the board interpreted PSD's "executive limitations" policy to mean that the superintendent would make closure decisions, but since then the makeup of the board has changed.

The board was also expected to discuss whether other changes in facility use, such as combining, consolidating and repurposing of schools, should be included in the policy change or whether those decisions should remain with the superintendent.

If the board decides that it should make closure decisions, Tellez expects the group to "move quickly" on the Red Feather question. The deadline for school of choice applications for elementary schools is Feb. 12. If necessary, Tellez said, the board could call a special meeting before that date to decide whether to close the Red Feather school.

"Timing is important," she acknowledged.

At the Jan. 12 meeting, some board members indicated that having Superintendent Wilson make closure decisions puts too much responsibility on his shoulders and also removes the school board from accountability.

Patrick Albright, the new District E board member and a Wellington resident, said he thinks it's appropriate for the board of education to make decisions about closures and consolidations.

"Voters expect a certain amount of accountability from school board members," he said. "We are the public's direct, elected representatives to the school district."

Other decisions that are up in the air include where to move the Lab School, since the district plans to close its current facility and sell the property; and whether to move early childhood programs out of Fullana and Barton.

Budget cuts ahead

The school district is facing many difficult decisions this year as it struggles with funding cuts from the state. The district will likely have to give back $3.3 million to the state this year and expects cuts up to $12 million for the 2010-11 school year. Furthermore, noted budget manager Dave Montoya, similar budget cuts are expected for the next several years.

With that grim forecast, district officials have given all schools and departments targets for cutting their 2010-11 budgets. Programs that involve direct contact with students will be reduced less than other areas.

Schools will be looking at a 4.5 percent reduction in per-student funding. Special education budgets will be reduced by 3.75 percent. Athletic programs will be facing 6 percent decreases, with fee increases recommended by the district as well.

Support services in the district, such as curriculum support, will have budgets reduced by an average of 7.75 percent, and other district services will be cut as much as 10 percent. With PSD's site-based management, each school and department will propose its budget cuts.

While the budgets are being developed, the district will also be negotiating next year's contracts with employees.

In a report to the board Jan. 12, the superintendent indicated that districtwide budget cuts will likely mean an increase in class sizes next year. Other cost savings could come from changing walk distances, leaving vacant positions unfilled, reducing service levels and deferring maintenance.

To guide the district through the budgeting process, two avenues of input are being developed. One is a budget advisory committee, a new entity that will review proposed budgets and make recommendations to district officials. The other is a survey that will go out to community members to assess their priorities. The committee is composed of three parents or community members, three PSD employee representatives and co-chairs Jim Sarchet and Tom Garcia, both PSD administrators.

The advisory committee will make budget recommendations to PSD administrators in March or April. Officials will present a proposed budget to the school board in June.

Small school forums

PSD plans two forums in February to discuss if and how small schools in the district should be funded. Parents, PSD staff and community members are encouraged to attend and provide input. School board members and staff will lead the forums.

"We want to bring to the PSD community's attention the pressing issue of funding small schools or closing some schools," said Wilson.

The district is looking for input about separate funding sources for small schools or the possibility of combining small elementary or middle schools with larger ones in the future.

Forums are scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 1 at Rocky Mountain High School's theater and on Feb. 23 at Fort Collins High School's auditorium. For more information about the forums, go to the PSD web site at www.psdschools.org and look for "Small Schools Forums" under "District Updates."