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If you hear a rumor or if you need to check a fact, please submit a question in 150 characters or less. Multiple questions with the same topic will only be answered one time. Some questions may require additional research and may take longer than others to answer. Note: Any questions that are personal in nature that include the names of individuals, single-out or ridicule an individual, or are inappropriate will not be answered. Only the question portion of the entry will be published. If the entry is submitted as a statement, it will be edited and posted in the form of a question to meet the format requirements of the Fact Checker feature. |
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Questions and Answers
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At this time no decisions have been made regarding reductions to current programs and offerings. The 5.9 mill emergency levy would have generated approximately $7 million annually for the five years of the levy period. Prior to this issue being on the ballot the district cut $9.5 million from its budget and nearly 150 staff members. With the looming budget deficit from the levy failure, the district will need to make additional cuts totaling approximately $3.9 million from its budget. The Board of Education and administration will be discussing next steps in the coming weeks and months. A district priority is to preserve as many educational opportunities as possible for students. A levy passage would have meant a reduction in pay-to-participate fees and reinstatement of busing services to prior service levels. WHAT HAS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DONE TO CONTAIN COSTS?
IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FACING A DEFICIT? In 2012, the district projects to have a deficit of $4.3 million; in 2013 the district will be facing a deficit of $17 million. Factors that have led to the deficit include the loss of personal tangible property taxes (state mandated), reduced state income taxes (2% less than previous year), unfunded national and state mandates, and increased costs such as utilities, transportation and healthcare. WHAT EFFECT DOES THE $6-8 BILLION STATE BUDGET DEFICIT HAVE ON THE DISTRICT? There is much uncertainty at the state right now, and many school districts are left waiting to see what the impact of this deficit will do to public education funding. Without question, Medina City School District will see less in state funding than in previous years. Once the newly elected governor announces his plan for public education, the district will communicate how the plan will affect the district. WHAT IS THE COST BREAKDOWN FOR THE $660 ACTIVITY FEE? The activity fee for athletics is based on the salary of the Ahtletic Director, the salaries of the coaches, transportation and the number of student participants. Taking these into account the costs for all sports totals approximately $636,000 divided by the number of student participants which when calculated was 921. The same applies for other activities using the costs of the faculty advisors and any transportation costs divided by the number of student participants. PER THE RECENT LETTER TO THE EDITOR, IS IT TRUE MEDINA CITY SCHOOL TEACHERS MAKE IN EXCESS OF $100K? Starting salary for teachers in the district this school year is $39,137. The highest salary on the pay schedule for this school year, which is 27 plus years and 30 plus hours past a masters degree is $89,354. The average salary including salary/fringe benefits/health insurance coverage is $68,434. WHEN WERE THE RESIDENTS OF MEDINA ASKED ABOUT THE TWO NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS? The two new elementary schools were not built using dollars from a bond issue. The two new elementary schools were built using dollars from the half percent sales tax increase that was passed by the voters in May 2006. IF WE ELIMINATE BUSING COMPLETELY, TERMINATE ALL IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND SELL OFF ALL ASSETS, HOW MUCH WOULD THAT SAVE THE DISTRICT? By law, the school district is required to provide transportation services at state minimum levels which is the current level of service the district provides. WHY ARE STUDENTS THAT RESIDE LESS THAN 2 MILES FROM THEIR SCHOOL BEING BUSSED? The school district's current transportation services transport students who live 2 miles or more from their school. High School students do not receive transportation services. Students with special needs may receive transportation services depending on their needs and Individual Education Plan. WHERE DOES THE FUNDING COME FROM FOR THE NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM? The Elementary School Breakfast program is funded by the Medina City Schools Food Service Department. The Food Service Department is self-supporting and operates on a limited budget. All program costs, food, labor, equipment and supplies, are funded by paid student meals, ala carte sales, adult paid meals, government commodities, and money from the federal government under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. WHY DOES THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT STILL HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF OFFICE AND MECHANIC STAFF WHEN HALF THE AMOUNT OF BUSSES ARE ON THE ROAD? One position within the Transportation Department Office has been reduced and the other positions have had hours reduced. The shop has remained the same as the Transportation Department does more in-house repairs. By having three mechanics in-house the Department has saved close to $35,000 in the first quarter of this year by reducing outsourcing costs. WHY CAN'T HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BE PROVIDED WITH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES? CAN THE DISTRICT CHARGE A FEE FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES? When the school district made reductions in programs and services last school year, transportation services were an area that was reduced. The district reduced these services to state minimum standards which are that the district transport students in grades K-8 who live more than 2 miles from school and there are not transportation services for high school students. It is illegal for the school district to charge students for transportation services.
IS IT TRUE THAT THE CURRENT FIFTH GRADERS WILL REMAIN IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS FOR THE 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR AND MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THEIR SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADE YEARS? There are currently no plans to change the grade configurations of our buildings. The Board of Education and administration are reviewing many options to address the budget deficit. As decisions are made parents and the community will be informed. ARE THE STUDENTS GOING TO HAVE MORE SNOW DAYS? Snow days are determined by unsafe road conditions or temperatures. If the weather conditions cause roads to be unsafe for travel or temperatures would become dangerous, school would be cancelled. The school district also has a two-hour delay policy that could be implemented if necessary. WHY IS THE DISTRICT BUSSING NON-PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS? The Ohio Revised Code requires public school districts in Ohio to provide transportation services for non-public students. The State does provide some funding for these students the same as it does for students attending public school. Per the Ohio Revised Code the school district cannot charge for Transportation Services. WHY WERE NEW GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED FOR HIGH SCHOOL DANCES? A committee of students, parents and staff developed the new guidelines for dances at Medina High School. This occurred after inappropriate behavior at previous dances. The new guidelines address dress, appropriate dance behavior and the necessity to be alcohol and drug free. ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO IMPLEMENT THE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN IN THE MEDINA CITY SCHOOL BY THE SCHOOL YEAR 2012-13? The district has applied for a waiver to the State for both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years for the all-day kindergarten program. Due to the district's financial situation the implementation of all-day kindergarten would not be fiscally responsible. It is estimated that all-day kindergarten would cost the district between $1 to $1.5 million. IS THERE THE POSSIBILITY OF FUNDING THE SCHOOLS WITH AN ADDITIONAL .5% SALES TAX INCREASE SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT HELPED TO BUILD THE NEW SCHOOLS - BUT WRITTEN TO PAY FOR "OPERATING EXPENSES' SUCH AS TEACHER SALARIES? The district cannot obtain an additional .5% sales tax increase as each county has a certain amount for sales tax dollars and the County Commissioners control how it is allocated. To change the use of the sales tax dollars would require the issue to go back on the ballot. ARE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ALLOWED TO ATTEND THE SWEETHEART DANCE IF THEIR CURRENT YEAR'S SCHOOL FEES ARE NOT PAID IN FULL? Students are not permitted to attend the dance if their fees are not paid. This has been the practice for a number of years. HAS THE NUMBER OF SNOW DAYS WITHOUT MAKE-UP DAYS BEEN CHANGED FROM THREE TO FIVE DAYS? The following is an update on Calamity Days. Currently the school districts across the state receive three Calamity Days - due to the inclement weather that we have had this year we have used our three Calamity Days. Many parents have asked if we can extend the school day to make-up any days over the three currently allowed. At this time, a district is required to make-up the entire day for any days over the allowed three. After a school has had 10 Calamity Days schools can extend the school day for the purpose of making up days. Therefore, any district over three Calamity Days, but less than 11, must make them up on an in-serivce day (whole day), holiday, Saturday, or at the end of the year. The district's make-up days were approved by the Board of Education. Those days are four Saturdays and Wednesday, June 8. There is currently a Bill in the works in the Ohio House of Representatives to add back two Calamity Days for this school year, bringing the total allowed from three to five days. The district will wait to see the results of the Bill. The district has also chosen to have the Calamity Days occur when the weather is warmer thus eliminating the need to pay employees overtime for possible snow removal. WHEN WILL THE LEVY BE RETURNING TO THE BALLOT? WILL BUSING BE RESTORED IF IT PASSES? The Board of Education has not made a decision as to when a levy will be placed on the ballot. As to busing being restored to previous levels they most likely would not occur as additional cuts and reductions will need to be made to balance the district's budget. HOW MUCH OF OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE GOING TO FUND THE SUMMIT? The Summit is a critical component of the school district's Strategic Planning process. As with any business it is important to have a five-year plan to guide and direct decision-making. The school district has worked very hard to secure sponsors for the Summit to help offset costs associated with it. The anticipated expenses for the Summit are $10,000. To date, the district has secured $7,550 in sponsorships and donations to offset the costs of the Summit. The district is continuing to work toward securing further sponsorships for this purpose. WHY ARE TEACHERS ALLOWED TO GET MASTERS DEGREES IN AREAS THEY ARE NOT EVENT TEACHING? By law, all advanced course work must be approved by the Licensed Professional Development Committee (comprised of teachers and administrators). Rarely, does a teacher in one core content area get a masters in another core content area. However, several of the district teachers, do have dual certifications and can teach in multiple content areas. Most teachers seek Masters degrees in areas that cross all content lines, such as technology integration. WILL THE DISTRICT CONSIDER PUTTING ANOTHER EMERGENCY LEVY ON THE BALLOT AND DEDICATE THSOE FUND TO ACADEMICS AND NOT BUSSING AND ATHLETICS? At this time, the Board of Education has not made any decisions as to the type of issue or the amount of a levy. The money generated from a levy would be for operating funds. The largest percentage of operating funds directly impacts academic areas. Bussing is required by law, currently the district is operating its transportatoin services at state minimum standards. Pay-to-participate fees cover the expenses for the athletic programs. WHAT DAYS WILL THE STUDENTS HAVE TO MAKE-UP THEIR SNOW DAYS? Snow days will be made up on four Saturdays and on Wednesday, June 8 if necessary. At this time, the district has had five calamity days and we are waiting to see if the state is going to change the allowable number of snow days to be five instead of the three allowed for this school year. IS THE DATE FOR KINDERGARTEN CUT-OFF BEING MOVED TO JUNE 30? Children must be five by September 30 to begin kindergarten for the 2011-12 school year. WHERE IS INFORMATION ON THE AMOUNT PAID FOR SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACTS AVAILABLE? To obtain this information, a public records request should be directed to the Assistant Superintendent Rick Forney by calling the Superintendent's Office at 330-636-3010. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE CUMULATIVE GPA OF A GRADUATING SENIOR? The average cumulative GPA for the class of 2011 is 2.93. 48.7% of seniors have a 3.0 or above cumulative GPA HOW MANY STUDENTS ATTEND MEDINA HIGH SCHOOL? There are 2,307 students in grades 9 through 12 at Medina High School. IS THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERING SPLIT SCHOOL DAYS FOR THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR? Currently, the school district is not developing a split schedule for the middle schools or high school. However, discussions are continuing in regard to program offerings and schedules for the 2011-12 school year. IS IT TRUE THE DEBATE PROGRAM/CLASSES HAVE BEEN TERMINATED FOR THE 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR? IF SO, CAN THE PROGRAM CONTINUE AS AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY? Debate class is being offered next school year. Students can only take it once and will receive a .5 credit for the class.There is a Debate Club that meets after school at Medina High School. The Debate Club is open to all students. WHO SPECIFICALLY MAKES DECISIONS ON WHICH COURSES WILL BE CUT FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR? The determination as to courses that will be eliminated are made by administrative staff including the principals, superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of instruction. WHAT IS THE AVERAGE SOPHOMORE GPA AT MEDINA HIGH SCHOOL? WHAT COURSES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FOR THE 2011-12 SCHOOL YEAR?
HOW MUCH WOULD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAVE IF THE TEACHERS PARTICIPATED IN A 401(K) RATHER THAN USING THE TAXPAYERS MONEY TO FUND THEIR RETIREMENT? |