The State of Education in Delaware -- My Perspective

It's been eight months since I assumed the role of board member to finish the term of another before me.  Four years once seemed liked eons. Now three years seems to be not nearly enough time (though the jury is still out on whether I will run again) to empower the changes to education that both Christina and Delaware need.

Education in Delaware is facing uprecedented challenges to which Christina will not be immune.  National and Global economic failings have left their mark on Delaware.  Though stimulus funds staved off the impact for this current year, the future is a much different monster.  It's time for some honest and frank discussion of what lies in the future.

The State of Delaware is facing a near $50 million education funding deficit, the impact of which boils down to a funding cut of  appoximately $500 per student, your student and mine.  It will come across all districts, all programs, and all schools.  For Christina the much debated 25% rolling decrease in state transportation funding will add an average of $40 to every school tax bill, if a referendum can be successfully run.  The jury is out on whether the match tax portion of the tuition bill will stand -- meaning that districts may not be able to levy that portion of the tuition bill next year as indicated by the Department of Education's budget presentation in Dover.  At the time of this writing, Christina has not entered into discussions with its board as to any intentions of going to referendum.  And most homeowners will tell you, this is not the time to ask the public for more tax money.  Where does that leave us?  Where does that leave Christina?  And where does that leave our children?

I'm staring at the FY 2011 Operating Budget Briefing dispersed to legislators by the Department of Education.  Within the organization structure (who holds what position) the vital role of Associate Secretary of Teaching and Learning is vacant while the positions of Assoc. Sec. of College and Workforce Readiness and Assoc. Sec./Chief Financial Officer are filled.  I see before me an unbalanced scale, weighted heavily against the Department's mission of Teaching and Learning, a Branch without an advocate and a Budget that reflects that lost voice.

I am alarmed by page 10 of the briefing which reflects the Federal Stimulus Funding for Education Stabilization.  In Fiscal year 10, the Technology Block Grant, the Student Success Block Grant, the Academic Excellence, Limited English Proficiency and Division II Allocations were removed from the General Fund and replaced by Stimulus Funds.  Essentially, Delaware abdicated funding these categories, drawing the needed monies from one-time stimulus funds.  Those allocations have not been returned to the General Fund.  What does it mean:

• In 2008, the State funded the associated positions.
• In 2009/10, One-time Stimulus Funds were used to fund these programs for a total of $33,891,000.
• In the 2010/11 Budget, the proposed funding for these programs decreases to $13,121,100. 
• That's MORE THAN $20 MILLION Cut from Education Spending.
• There is no plan to draw additional monies from the State's General Fund to support these programs and teachers.
• If DOE does not fund these needed positions and programs that directly affect our children, and if local districts are unable to find replacement funding, these positions will GO AWAY.

While it's true that the proposed budget we see before us today may look very different come June/July when our legislators ratify it, it's important that we begin the conversation now.  And that conversation must be centered around the desire of stakeholders to inform the legislature that cutting education funding is not an acceptable solution to Delaware's budget dilemma and that we as constituents expect our legislators to generate new sources of revenue for the state, and particularly education.

While the topic will certainly be debated by the Statewide PTA, the Delaware State Education Association, and the Delaware Schools Chiefs Association, locally-elected school boards must engage not just with their constituents but as constituents of those in Dover.  Delaware's School Boards cannot fail to lead today.  We cannot be idle and are obligated by our oath to lead the seach for solutions.

Education is in need of solutions and we must come together to find them!

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No Change to CSD Tax Warrant

After an informative presentation at the Board Meeting last night, CSD BOE voted to accept to the district recommendation that the 2009/10 tax warrant maintain the same levels as the 2008/09 warrant. For CSD tax payers, there will be no increase to school taxes.

Of note, the district cited 1% increase in revenue from taxes due to new construction, both residential and commercial (thank you Home Depot.)

On the down side, the closing of the Chrysler Plant in Newark could lead to a $1 million loss in revenue. After consulting with the State Auditor and Department of Education, the value of the former Chrysler property was not included in the calculations. The district will cease to receive revenue from the site if it is purchased by a non-for-profit entity such as the University of Delaware, the apparent fore-funner in current real estate negotiations. Furthermore, a for-profit successor entity to Chrysler could choose to level the plant, remove all the buildings, and leave the land with little to no taxable value for the purpose of school taxes.

I hope to delve a little deeper into the tax warrant in the coming days, to explain the more complicated portions of the formula. But, first I need to fact check for accuracy.

As for the board meeting itself, it started forty minutes late, indicating that executive session prior to the meeting ran long. In-coming Superintendent Marcia Lyles was again in attendance. During public comment the Board acknowledged outgoing member Beverly Howell for her years of service. The other noteworthy action of the night, voting on the consent agenda, was complicated by the decision to table all of Item B - Bid Awards for Foreign Language Translators, Elementary Counseling Services, Behavior Intervention Specialist Services, In School Alternative Program, and Student Support Services [ whose job it is to "assist building staff in monitoring in various capacities such as Hall Monitor and In School Suspension Monitor" (6/23/09, School Board Meeting Agenda, p. 4, BID #CSD-2009-05.)] The vote was 4-2 in favor of tabling.

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