Let’s talk about some rumors- five of them – economic ones – the ones that might affect our District. I didn’t make these up. I’ve been asked about them. There are many more that I am asked about every day.
Rumor #1: The budget will be cut by 30 percent next year.
What I know: I’ve never heard that budget cuts could reach 30 percent next year. I do know that local school districts were held harmless during the last special session of the Legislature. Public education as a whole starts out next year in a deficit position of $74 million. Governor Huntsman has proposed using the state’s $100 million “rainy-day fund” to fill this deficit. That would get us by one more year.
Rumor #2: The District split is expensive. The sinking economy will stop the division from happening.
What I know: A slowed economy will not stop the District split. Either court or legislative action would be required to stop, or postpone, the District split. Herriman City’s lawsuit is awaiting review by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver. The Legislature will convene in late January.
Rumor #3: The Governor will call a special session of the Legislature to stop the District division.
What I know: Governor Huntsman has considered convening a special session on this issue in the past. It remains an option, but I’ve not heard any recent talk to convene before the next regular session of the Legislature in January.
Rumor #4: All District personnel and services will need to be relocated before next July.
What I know: The issues surrounding sharing programs and services between the two districts are currently in discussion, but haven’t been resolved. When this is finalized, we will know what personnel, if any, may need to relocate. We should know very soon.
Rumor #5: We will no longer be able to hire computer lab teachers due to budget cuts.
What I know: I don’t know what the budget for next year will be.
The economy has everyone concerned. Just when we thought federal legislation might turn the tide, we continue to see the ups and downs of Wall Street. The economy across the nation is in decline. It’s slowed in our state. I’ve not spoken with any educator in states across this country, east to west, that isn’t talking about declining revenues. Some are panicked as revenue shortfalls number in the billions of dollars, others are being cautious and hope that revenues and future budgets remain flat at best.
These conditions can breed rumors, usually unfounded. I’m asked a lot of questions about what will happen in Utah, given the national and local economy. My answer: “I don’t know, but as soon as I do, I’ll let you know.” A good approach for me in tough times in education is to stick with what I know. Don’t speculate. Be cautious. Stay informed. Say nothing rather something that could be misinterpreted. Watch the indicators that will ultimately influence the final outcome of the issue. That doesn’t mean I’m not thinking. I’m a compulsive thinker – that’s different from a worrier. My most positive course of action is to contemplate scenarios, lots of them. If I do enough of that, when the facts begin to solidify, chances are I will have at least contemplated the issue and some possible next steps. That allows me to focus immediately on solutions and strategies and not be idled by swirling around in what is happening. Next blog, I’ll talk about some rumors. I’ll tell you what I know and what I don’t know.
Something very significant happened at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of
Education. They publicly announced and approved their mission, vision, and
beliefs. This signals a tremendous leap forward for our District. The
Board has been working on these for nearly six weeks. Why does it take so
long? Well, for the Board every word has meaning. They wanted to be sure
that every member understood what the statements meant, and more
importantly, that everyone could stand by them. The finished product is
very nice, but the process was invaluable! For those of you who have ever
tried to write something by committee, you’ll appreciate how intense this
process is. But once you are finished, you’ve really got something of value.
Everyone is on the same page. I can now say with confidence, and so can
you, what our Board wants to accomplish, what they value, and what they
believe in. These will be the foundation for every decision we make as we
go forward. Congratulations to the Board for beginning their work by
defining who they are and what they believe in. We’re off and running!
Things are moving forward with the arbitration panel as well. The three-member arbitration panel has been selected. The members are Michael Zimmerman, former Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, Darrell White, former Education Deputy to Governors Leavitt and Walker as well as superintendent of the Davis School District, and Allan Funk, CPA. Both transition teams and its attorneys are preparing to present its cases to the panel in December. It is anticipated that the presentations to the arbitration panel will be completed before our Winter Recess. The arbitration panel’s decisions are anticipated in late January 2009. I’m also following the arbitration process carefully. I wish we would know sooner about their decisions, but it doesn’t look like it’s feasible before next January. I’m OK with that because in my opinion services to students and employees are the most important activities to be focused on right now. Who actually owns what buildings and land is important in the long term. However, right now we need to be sure our primary focus is on our students and employees.