Central Preschool

Last year I made some changes to the Central Preschool program based on parent feedback.  Many of you shared concerns with how hard it was to get your children to and from school in a half-day program.  You also shared concerns with not having a junior kindergarten program for students who were maybe a little young or not quite ready for kindergarten.  This school year we increased our preschool programming to two full-time programs which include junior kindergarten, and from the feedback I have been given this has been a very positive change for Central.

Next school year we will be offering much of the same with the only change being a stronger focus on our junior kindergarten program.  Ms. Jacobsen will be taking all 4-year-old preschool students while Mrs. Erickson will be taking all junior kindergarten and possibly some 4-year-old students.

Both classes will be offered the same as they are offered this school year:

• Monday-Thursday, no school on Friday.
• Half-day or Full-day option.  Half-day option is 8:15 to 11:30.  Full-day option is 8:15-3:30.
• Half-day option is free.
• Full-day option is $125 a month plus lunch fees for those choosing to participate in our hot lunch program.
• Transportation is provided for the full-day program.
• Transportation is provided for arrival of the half-day program.

New this year Central will be offering a scholarship program for families that qualify for free & reduced lunch.  The goal of the scholarship program is to ensure all families can afford to send their children to our preschool program.

• 2015/2016 Central Preschool Scholarship Application  (may not pull up correctly unless you download the application)

The capacity for our preschool program still remains at 40 students, so make sure you contact the school immediately to ensure a spot for your child.  Currently we have 35 students signed up.  

Central will be hosting Preschool Round-Up on Friday, May 8th from 9-11:30.  Students will get to meet their classmates and teachers.  I will host a parent meeting to share more information on our program details including the new scholarship program as well as be available to answer any questions you may have.  Please make sure you call the elementary office (563) 245-1472 and register for this day.

Looking forward to meeting Central's newest students and new families.  See you May 8th!

Advocacy for Iowa's Public Schools

The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) and School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) have arranged tomorrow as a day to lobby for schools from home.  It would be great to have Central parents/stakeholders getting involved with this.  The key issues for Central are as follows:
1) Inequity in school funding for rural school district (I have spoke a lot about this on my Blog).
2) Budgets have already been approved and the legislature has broken their own law by not setting school funding.  What this means, property owners have taken on extra burden through property taxes to cover the State's shortfall.
3) Adequate funding so we do not have to continue to cut programs and people.  Central's expenditures raise an average of 3-4% a year.  1.25% and even 2.6% funding will not equal our raise in expenses.  Worst, if the two parties can't agree, the funding will default to 0%.

No matter where you lie politically, my guess is that you follow my Blog because you support our local school district.  Both sides need to work together to be financially responsible with our tax dollars, but also provide for the future of our state, our children!

Here is the information provided to me from IASB, please get involved anyway you can.

Advocacy in Action
Find a Path to Yes on April 22

The legislature is still in a holding pattern when it comes to school funding. School districts across the state had to certify their budgets on April 15, without knowing the funding rate. Several districts will have to cut programs and staff to balance their budgets while waiting for some type of direction from the legislature. Now is the time to let tell legislators that they must "Find a Path to Yes!"

School board members across the state have made phone calls, sent emails, and submitted letters to the editor encouraging their legislators to come to an agreement on adequate school funding. We are encouraging all school boards to recognize April 22 as "Lobby for School Funding from Home Day." 

What can you do? Here are some ideas:

• Have each board member make a personal contact with legislators through phone or email.
• Reach out to your communities to engage businesses, city organizations, PTA's to make a phone call or send an email.
• Have students make signs with the slogan "Find a Path to Yes," and take pictures of them holding those signs. Share the pictures with legislators, and on social media. 
• Call your local radio station and ask that they interview you about what the failure of action means for Iowa's school children. Use your district as an example. 
• Send a press release to your local newspaper detailing what actions you will likely have to take if we do not "Find a Path to Yes." Include information about the budget you certified.
• Find a creative way to use social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Here are a few keys points you can make when speaking with your legislator:

• Ask legislators to quickly decide on an adequate funding level.
• Remind legislators that no action means the rate is 0%. Detail what that means for your school district.
• Highlight innovative projects or students that have been recognized for accomplishments in your district and how a low funding rate could jeopardize programs. 
• Talk about the long term negative effects of low Supplemental State Aid

We encourage you to contact your legislators on all media platforms, whether it be email or social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram - use hashtag #iaschoolfunding and#ialegis. If you send an email, "CC" IASB by using the email address advocacy@ia-sb.org. Lets do all we can so legislators "Find a way to Yes" on behalf of Iowa's school children! 

Why Equitable School Funding is Crucial to Rural Schools

Over the last 25 years the percentage of children living in poverty has grown from 32 to 51 percent across the United States.  Iowa's trends are very similar and the amount keeps climbing.  In many cases these numbers are much higher in our rural communities and our rural school districts do not have the resources our larger school districts have to address these challenges.  (You need to look no further than our recent site-visit to prove this, as I participated in numerous interviews because I represent numerous people)

We can bicker all day about 1.25% or 2.6% school funding, but at the end of the day everyone knows neither number is a real investment into education.  Iowan voters are also not being told the truth about either of these percentage increases.  Last year the Iowa Legislature passed education reform in the name of Iowa Teacher Leadership & Compensation (TLC).  The premise of the education reform was to increase the roles of the best teachers in each school district, and to compensate them for their time in those roles.  Each school district was to receive approximately $310 per student to be used toward TLC.  While some politicians are making this out to be a huge investment to Iowa schools, the process is incredibly inequitable.  1) They decided to phase this in over 3 years.  The phase in was to represent 1/3 of the student population, not a 1/3 of the school districts.  2) The money set aside for TLC was promised not to have a negative affect on the current education funding schools already received.

So lets look at the facts.  I'll work backward and address #2 first.
2) TLC funding was promised to remain separate from all other school funding.  With our state budget growing at 4-5%, many ask me why is education only going to grow at 1.25%-2.6%?  Logical question.  The reason for such low percentage amounts is that doesn't include the full education funding picture.  We have seen this in our politician newsletters and in our newspapers where one party is arguing saying education is getting this many dollars, the other party is adding in TLC funds and stating education is getting this many dollars.  So actual percentage growth with TLC is higher than 1.25%-2.6%, and ranges more around 4%.  I think most school districts would be happy with a 4% increase, but that brings me back to my first point.
1) TLC funds are phased in over a 3-year period.  So lets take a peak at who really is receiving this funding.  There are 338 school districts in the State of Iowa.  If we consider rural school districts to be 600 students or less (Clayton Ridge is 598, for better understanding of size), that would be 143 of the 338 total school district as rural.  That makes 42% of Iowa's school districts, small rural school districts.  Now, out of that 143, what percentage do you think received TLC funds?  Would you be shocked if I told you 1%?  Only 5 districts of 600 students or less are currently receiving TLC funds.  So even though small rural school districts make up 42% of the total school districts, only 1% of them got TLC funds.

So not only did the small rural school districts that need the most help not receive the funds, they are also being punished with a less total school funding package because TLC funds are being lumped into the overall number for school funding (something we were promised by our politicians they would not do).  All 143 small rural school districts have the same issues (transportation costs, higher poverty rates, special needs students, homeless students, etc) that school districts with +600 students face.  So why can't we get funded equally to better provide for our children?  Iowa students shouldn't have their zip code determine their worth.  Please help me in asking the question of why our children are worth-less?

Thank you!

A big thank you to the voters of the Central community for your support of the physical plant and equipment levy and allowing the Central School District to access the one cent sales tax.  Both of these revenue sources allow our school district to purchase transportation, purchase technology, and maintain our buildings and grounds.

Your support of Central is greatly appreciated.

Central 504 Plans and Information

I have been working with the Central Intervention Team in updating our 504 policy and forms.  Our goal is to create stronger communication between home and school, as well as get important information out to our parents.

Below you will find our updated Section 504 plan including links to important information about 504 services.  This information will also be posted on our district website.  Thank you to the Keystone AEA, AEA 267, and Nurse Vicki for attending the training.  Any questions please contact me.

Section 504

Section 504 is a federal law which protects the rights of persons with qualifying disabilities.  It requires that recipients of federal funds make their programs and activities accessible to all persons with disabilities.

Section 504 has three areas of emphasis:  employment; facility and accessibility; and requirements for preschool, elementary, and secondary education programs/activities.

It must be emphasized that Section 504 falls under the responsibility of the general education program.  It is also important to understand that schools receive no additional funding to implement Section 504 accommodations.  At each school, the responsibility for ensuring Section 504 compliance rests with the building principal or principal designee.

How does Section 504 define disability?

Section 504 protects persons from discrimination based upon their disability status.  A person is considered to have a disability if he or she:

• has a mental or physical disability impairment which substantially limits one or more of the person’s major life activities;
• has a record of such impairment; or
• is regarded as having such an impairment.

In general terms, this means that without accommodations and/or interventions, the student would not have a comparable opportunity to an appropriate education.

Contacts

Section 504 Coordinator

Nick Trenkamp- Superintendent/Elementary Principal

563-245-1751

ntrenkamp@central.k12.ia.us

Equity Coordinator

Jane Metcalf- Curriculum Director/Guidance Counselor

563-245-1751

jmetcalf@central.k12.ia.us

Getting Started

A Parent’s Guide to Section 504- Often used by districts to notify parents of their rights under Section 504 and to serve as Second Notice.

Section 504 Notification Letter to Parents- Used to notify parents that an evaluation for a possible 504 plan is needed.

504 Students and Parents Rights- To accompany the Notification Letter to Parents.

Section 504 Procedures Checklist- Step-by-step guide walks through the 504 process.

Determining Eligibility

Section 504 Teacher Input Form- Used to provide teacher input on concerns and accommodations.

Section 504 Eligibility Determination Form- General student student with needs assessment to determine eligibility.

IASB Strategies for developing Section 504 Accommodations

Writing a Plan

Section 504 Plan Sample

Reviewing a Plan

Section 504 Annual Review

District Responsibilities

1. District plan has been developed, reviewed, and/or updated within the last school year and clearly outlines Child Find, referral, evaluation, and implementation procedures to ensure compliance.
2. Section 504 Coordinator is identified and trained.
3. Grievance procedure is developed, operational, and accessible.  This is provided to parents at each meeting and is published in district materials.
4. District publishes contact information regarding the Section 504 Coordinator on an annual basis, in all public documents, website, parent and student handbooks.
5. Staff is trained in district procedures related to Child Find, referral, evaluation, implementation, and the grievance process.
6. District annually notifies students with disabilities and their parents or guardians of the school district’s responsibilities under Section 504, including:
• Notice of their rights,
• Opportunity to review relevant records, and
• An impartial hearing.  Parents or guardians must be notified their right to request a hearing regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of students with disabilities.
7. District implements appropriate educational programs for students with disabilities.
8. Records, including a transition plan, are maintained to support district compliance and implementation.

It is important to remember that Section 504 is unique and different from IDEA.  It is not a program mandate; it is an antidiscrimination law.  School districts need to provide students with qualifying disabilities a comparable opportunity, as compared to students without disabilities, to participate in school district activities, as well as receive school district benefits and services.

Industrial Technology

One of the larger areas being addressed in our school bond proposal is our shop area.  Currently our shop area is heavily outdated.  Much of our equipment is in need of repair or replacement and safety is very much a concern.

As with most staff at Central, Mr. O'Brien wears multiple hats.  He teaches both ag classes and industrial technology classes.  With only 8 periods in a day, this limits what Central can offer.  So we have to get creative in order to offer more for our students.  We have looked into a couple ways to do this.  Currently I am in discussions with Mobile Track Solutions and CAT to see if they would have interest in teaching some of our classes, possibly even offering them at night for working adults.  The other option we are exploring is getting Mr. O'Brien some additional training so he can offer Certified Production Technician courses for duel credit through NICC.

Why is all of this important?  Well, look at these stats:

• Advanced manufacturing has grown 179% in the past decade.
• The State of Iowa predicts a shortfall of 6672 skilled workers by 2018.
• The average manufacturing worker makes $77,066 annually in pay and benefits.
• Area school districts are also making moves to offer more of these classes for their students.
• And most importantly, this job shortage exists in our school district.

I look forward to working with MTS, CAT, NICC, and other local manufacturing companies as we look to update our industrial technology area and class offerings.  Hopefully a lot more to come on this discussion.

Still no news...

As Central looks at wrapping up the 3rd quarter, we still have no news on what our level of funding for next year will be or even when we will be able to start the 2015/16 school year.  Many of you have contacted me this past week in regards to these two items.  I can only say I wish I had better news, but from everything I am being told and reading there appears to be zero movement by our elected officials on these two items.

This is extremely unfair for property owners who will have their taxes increased due to no state funding.  It is also unfair to families who are trying to plan summer vacations and events.

I can't stress enough how much of a difference parents can make.  Politicians aren't threatened by me "the superintendent" when I share our needs and concerns.  But when parents get angry, things get done really quickly in Des Moines.  Please, please, please make contact with our local representatives and tell them our children deserve nothing less than 4% state supplemental aid and our elected school boards should have the power to set a calendar that meets our local needs.

Simply click the name of our representatives below and send a quick email saying you are a parent and your children deserve to be put first not last.

Michael Breitbach - Senate Republican
Darrel Branhagen - House Republican
Patti Ruff - House Democrat

Thank you

Please help me thank Michael Breitbach, Central's State Senator who voted in favor of SF 227, which gives local school boards control over local school district calendars.

How important are our kids?

A lot has happened in the news this past week that shows the frustration growing with Iowa politics, specially in regards to holding our kids for ransom.  We are now in March where by law we have to certify our budgets and school calendars.  Yet, our state politicians are more than a year behind in setting what our per-pupil amount will be and have not even told us when we will be allowed to start school.  School districts were promised both of these would be done in the first 30 days of session.  As I write this today, neither have been done.

This week the Senate passed a bill that gives control of the school calendar back to locally elected school boards.  This will never hold up in the House, and even if it did would be vetoed by the governor.  You only have to look at who is supporting these bills to determine where our children's education lies in terms of priorities.  The Senate bill is supported by education associations that represent school boards, administration, and teachers.  The House bill is supported by the Iowa Restaurant Association, the Iowa Lodging Association, and the Travel Federation of Iowa.  Yep, I bet those in favor of the House bill are thinking about nothing but our children's education-- insert sarcasm.

An even more interesting article came out yesterday in terms of funding, or better stated as the inequality of funding allowed to happen in our State.  The Quad City Times reported that Art Tate, superintendent of Davenport Public Schools stated since the politicians in Iowa don't have to follow the law, he was also not going to follow the law.  While I am still too young in my career to go breaking Iowa law, I can't argue the point Superintendent Tate is making.  Without even talking new money toward education, our politicians need to fix the inequity of school funding.  Like Davenport, Central is funded at $175 less per-pupil.  That inequity alone cost our district $78,750.  This is not the only inequity allowed to happen in Iowa school funding.  One major area that affects Central is transportation.  Due to the geography of our school district (and school districts of NE Iowa), we seldom have direct routes to our country homes.  Because of this, we have higher transportation costs than most districts in the state of Iowa.  This cost comes out of our general fund, the same fund used to pay for programs and teachers.  When looking at the state average, Central pays $325 more per-pupil in transportation cost over the average.  The transportation inequity cost Central $146,250 this year.  Both inequities combined equal $225,000 this school year alone.  As our parent survey has shown frustration with lack programs and offerings, imagine how many programs and offerings we could increase if we were just funded equally!  

Another fund many of you have heard about is the Teacher Leadership & Compensation Grant (TLC).  When Governor Branstad visited Mobile Track Solutions this past summer (before elections) I asked the governor about school funding.  He did not answer my question, but instead promoted TLC as a huge investment in Iowa schools.  While I won't argue it is an investment in Iowa schools ($310 per-pupil), this fund does not go into our general fund and can only be used for the purposes of TLC.  Another part of TLC not being shared with our public is the fact they phased this in over three years.  The first year, these funds went almost solely to urban school districts.  The ratio was much better in year two of including rural school districts, yet Central still has not received the funding.  This is another $139,500 Central is missing out on this year that could have been used to increase our staff and teacher leadership positions.

So in one year, Central is missing out on $364,500 in funding, simply because inequality in the school funding formula exists.  That is a HUGE amount of money that could be used to increase the programs offered to our kids, take some of the workload off of our teachers, purchase school supplies, etc.  And remember this money is simply what other school districts across Iowa are already receiving and Central is not.  As parents and supporters of our local school district, we should be deeply concerned about this!  Please share this with your friends and family and be vocal when talking with our state politicians.  They need to get this changed.

Building Tour & Soup Supper

With possible changes coming to our K-12 facilities I would like to offer a building tour during our upcoming conferences.  Anyone interested in a tour please join me in the HS Media center at 5:00pm, Thursday, March 12th.  Feel free to bring a camera or something to take notes on.

While you are here make sure you also stop in and support our Dollars for Scholars Soup Supper from 5:00 to 7:00, free will donation.