Posted by .. on May 21, 2007 at 14:46:09 (EST):
In Reply to: Re: Two Questions.. posted by jon on May 21, 2007 at 14:35:33 (EST):
: : : I hope someone in the know can answer. 1) What is the reimbursement from the state for transportation? I know the Dept. of Ed. does contribute money to districts to help defray the districts' bussing costs.
: : : 2) Concerning the number of professional saff. How much duplication is there among the four high schools due to state mandiates? As an example, schools must have certified teachers for special needs students. Wouldn't such mandates require additonal staff members in all the schools that could be reduced by combining?
: : Let's use ASD documents to answer your first question. According to the budget, pupil transportation is 7,250,000. On page 35, the state transportation reimbursement is 4,720,000. This means the state reimburses us 65 per cent of our costs. What is the formula for reimbursement? I really do not know. Maybe someone here can ask a school board member or ask the Administration. Please, let's stick to the facts.
: There are at least 2 problems with what New Poster asked.
: 1. This person seems to be implying that if "the state" is paying for it , it is okay to waste these funds. News flash New Poster, "state" tax dollars are still tax dollars and should not be wasted.
: 2. If "the state" is reimbursing 65% then the district (property taxpayers) must pay for 45%. Right now this 45% equals 2,530,000. If we consolidate this figure will be 45% of a figure much higher than 7,250,000. Whatever the percentage is that the district ends up paying for, it is a ridiculous sum. All you have to do is look back to the last attempt at consolidation. Transportation costs alone were cause for the board to reverse it's decision and deconsolidate. The difference with what they are talkng about now is the added cost of construction and the fact that we would be locked in to that choice, regardless what it ended up costing.
: BTW if you want to talk about "state" reimbursement, let's talk about the fact that the level of "state" reimbursement is 10% higher for renovations than it is for new construction.
: Also if there is uneccessary dupliction of staff, then they need to fire some teachers. There are several teachers that teach at multiple schools. They either teach at different schools on different days or they teach half the day at one school and half at the other. Now before you go off and say that it doesn't make sense to have these teachers driving around from school to school...that's still a lot cheaper than bussing the kids from all over the county to a central location.
How do you figure that the district pays 45% if the state reimburses 65%?