2010-2011 Budget

Ten things you should know about Mohonasen

April 27, 2010

1. Mohonasen offers high-quality academic programs while keeping its per pupil spending among the lowest in the state. In fact, according to the latest numbers released by the state education department, Mohonasen had the lowest expenditure per student in New York for 2007-08.

Per Pupil Expenditures, 2007-08
Statewide Average	$18,365
Suburban Council Av. without Mohonasen	$15,318
Schenectady County Av. without Mohonasen	$16,007
Mohonasen	$11,484

2. Over the years, district officials have prided themselves on being proactive with cost-saving measures.

Some of the ways they have brought down costs include:

• Consistently analyzing and evaluating existing educational programs to make sure they are as effective as possible.

• Implementing cost-containment measures in the areas of health insurance (co-pay changes, Cana-Rx, Medicare Gold for retirees).

• Not filling vacant positions unless absolutely necessary. In the last two years, 2.3 administrative positions and the central registrar position were not filled.

• Eliminating inefficiencies wherever possible, e.g., bus runs.

• Taking advantage of state building aid to address infrastructure issues including energy efficiency. Through the EXCEL capital project, officials were able to upgrade the heating systems at all four schools and replace old windows, window treatments, boilers and flooring.

• Implementing energy initiatives district wide. Since August 2005, officials project that the district has saved more than $1 million in energy costs.

• Consolidating and sharing resources/services with BOCES, other school districts and towns. This includes grants, salt for snow removal, sports teams, special needs transportation, cooperative bidding and summer school programs.

3. Mohonasen has approximately 3,100 students and 250 faculty members. While enrollment has declined slightly during the last 10 years, the overall change has not been significant.

4. The proposed 2010-2011 school budget of $42,720,170 would be funded approximately 44 percent by New York State and 52 percent by the property tax levy, with the remainder coming from fund balance, interest earnings and other revenue sources. In 2001, state aid represented 52 percent of the district’s budget.

5. The proposed 2010-2011 budget reflects more than $2.5 million in spending cuts – the result of a projected $1.9 million decline in state aid for next year. The budget the board adopted on April 19 included 17.6 FTE (full-time equivalents) in staffing reductions and a freeze to supervisor/administrator salaries. Since that time, two of these positions have been restored because the Mohonasen Teachers’ Association agreed to give back two professional development days.

All indications are that the state and national fiscal “crisis” will be a three- to five-year situation for school districts. Mohonasen officials kept this in mind while creating the 2010-2011 budget proposal. Over the coming years, officials will continue with careful cost-saving efforts as they look for more ways to reduce expenses while maintaining quality programs to the fullest extent possible.

6. With an eye to the future, district officials continue to develop and implement a long-range facilities plan. The first phase of this plan was the EXCEL capital project, which was approved by voters in October 2007 and is largely completed at this point. Phase II is expected to go before voters in the fall. This project would address mostly programmatic “upgrades” to accommodate more project-based learning and advanced technology instruction. District officials hope to take advantage of 95 percent state building aid for Phase II so that the project would come at little or no cost to taxpayers.

Also, in conjunction with Phase II, district officials are looking to purchase 36 acres of land adjacent to the HS/MS campus through a land purchase proposition on May 18, 2010. Funding for the land would come from the district’s capital reserve fund, meaning the purchase would not impact the tax levy.

7. Mohonasen students are preparing to enter the 21st-Century workforce. Now, more than ever, district officials are focusing on helping students prepare to navigate the world of tomorrow. To do this, students and staff are using a higher level of technology than ever before and are capitalizing on community partnerships.

• By maximizing state aid and staying on a computer replacement plan, Mohonasen’s classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art instructional technology that is bringing information and learning opportunities from around the world to students. This includes new computers, interactive whiteboards, LCD screens and computer projectors.

• Teachers are taking advantage of training in the latest Web 2.0 technology to create more engaging and innovative lessons. For example, thanks to a Mohonasen Foundation grant, students and teachers are using FlipCams to create multimedia projects and learn about digital storytelling.

• Through programs like Project Lead the Way, Mohonasen teachers continue to increase their emphasis on trades and mechanical skills. This is helping students prepare for growing job opportunities presented by the Tech Valley economic development initiatives in our area.

• Through the new Mo-Tech program and partnerships with area colleges, officials are connecting Regents-level academics with in-depth, real-world experience in several different areas. Next year, students will be able to select elective courses in criminal justice; film, theater and television; and business entrepreneurship.

• Mohonasen students can take advantage of a wide variety of enrichment, including rigorous AP and honors-level courses; Odyssey of the Mind, University in the High School courses; and many programs at local colleges and universities.

8. Mohonasen is seeing momentum. During the last few years, district leaders have seen increases in state exam scores for elementary, middle and high school students. For example:

• Fourth-grade English language arts (ELA) scores have risen from 67 percent scoring at or above the state standard four years ago, to 81 percent this past year. In the same period, seventh-grade ELA scores have risen from 64 percent scoring at or above the state standard, to 81 percent.

• Last year, more than 90 percent of third, fourth and fifth graders scored at or above the state standard in math.

• At the high school level, 92 percent of the junior class passed the Comprehensive English Regents last year.

• The entire class of 18 AP (advanced placement) calculus students passed the AP exam last year, with 10 of those students scoring at a level 5 (the highest level).

Mohonasen’s faculty, staff and school leaders are continuing efforts to help all students score at high levels. Through the middle school Success is Required program, students are being held accountable for passing every quarter of every class they take. Also, with the implementation of full-day kindergarten this year, kindergarten students are reading at higher levels then at this point in previous years.

At the high school, graduation rates remain an area of focus for district leaders. While there has been progress in this area, officials are committed to seeing all students succeed. With the help of transition teams, more and more students are meeting the rigorous requirements of the state Regents Diploma every year.

9. Students are encouraged to become well-rounded individuals. Whether it’s the Character Counts program at Bradt and Pinewood or the wide range of extracurricular opportunities at the high school and middle school, Mohonasen students are encouraged to expand their interests outside of the classroom.

• At Bradt and Pinewood, students have become involved in both classroom and school-wide recycling efforts.

• At the elementary level, students and their families consistently contribute to school-wide fundraising programs through the General Mills Box Tops for Education program and other similar efforts.

• Through the Character Counts program, elementary students and staff focus on designated monthly themes, such as respect, responsibility, kindness, honesty and good sportsmanship. Students who exemplify these themes are regularly recognized.

• Students involved in the Pinewood Safety Patrol act as role models for other students and exemplify responsible, safe and appropriate behavior. The Safety Patrol helps students find their bus safely and quietly and is also responsible for assisting administration in the dismissal process by setting up the bus order.

• Starting this year, students at Draper Middle School are producing their own morning announcements “show,” which is broadcast to every classroom within the building. A similar broadcast is expected to begin next year at the high school.

• Last year, 35 percent of high school students participated in a music group, 54 percent of Draper students were involved in a music group and 41 percent of Pinewood students were involved in a music group. Additionally, every year roughly 10 percent of student in grades 3-12 participate in the Mohon Masque theater group.

• Approximately 40 percent of high school students were involved in an interscholastic sport last year, as were 38 percent of middle schoolers.

10. Communication with students, staff and taxpayers is a priority. Teachers, staff and administrators are constantly in contact with parents and community members using the phone and e-mail. The district’s Web site, www.mohonasen.org, is another great source of information for parents and Mohonasen residents. Anyone looking to contact a staff member can find all staff e-mail addresses and phone numbers in the searchable staff directory on the district Web site. Parents and residents can also sign up to receive e-mail alerts and school/district news using the School News Notifier (SNN) system on the Web site.

New this year, parents of students in grades 6-12 can use SchoolTool – a Web-based application that houses student grades, progress reports, attendance and discipline information – to stay in direct contact with teachers and view updates to their child(ren)’s progress in school in real time.

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