Swine Flu: The alerts have elevated. The Federal Center for Disease Control
(CDC) has starting using the words “pandemic” and “imminent.” We are
literally watching and acting minute by minute with our responses. Everyone
needs to follow the precautionary recommendations given by the State Health
Department and the CDC. Official information and direction will always come
through your building administration. If it becomes necessary to close
schools, we will. That will bring a new host of issues and questions to be
resolved. We’ll deal with those as they come. For right now – safety
first.
Remaining District Reductions in Force: If you haven’t already heard – you
will. The remaining Jordan School District has announced its intention to
reduce District-level staff by 122 FTE for the 2009-10 school year. This
action is the first in a series of steps moving forward at the direction of
the Board in order to offset the 2009-10 State budget deficit. The Board is
doing all it can to insulate classroom teachers and students from being
affected. If budget cuts do reach to the classroom, I believe they will be
the least amount possible. Final decisions about where additional
reductions will be made are still in process. The Board is conducting a Dan
Jones poll to determine preferences for balancing the budget from a patron
perspective. Within the next several weeks, specific courses of action will
become finalized.
We have entered a season of significant events. Between now and June, the
Board of Education will prepare next year’s budget, we will enter into
negotiations with employee groups, and the class of 2009 will graduate on
June 4. Employee negotiations begin next month. Preparation of next
year’s District budget is already in full swing.
The budget deficit for next year is approximately $25 million. The Board
is adopting a multiple-solution approach in large measure because there is
no single solution to resolving the deficit. Much discussion will continue
to be held regarding the mix of program restructuring, budget reductions,
reassignment of employees, reductions in staff, tax increases, and employee
compensation. The relative roles of these elements have not been
finalized. It’s as challenging a year financially as I have ever seen in my
professional career. Coupled with the financial implications of the
District split, we are faced with sobering choices. There’s likely to be
lots of rumors about what will happen. Reliable information about how we
will meet our financial challenges will come through proper channels as
“official information.” Beware of “I heard . . .” this or that. Some of
what you hear may be true or close to the truth, some may be partly true,
and some will be absurd. I will keep you informed as we move through the
next several months to help you know what’s happening. We’re in this
together and we’ll find the solutions together.
Many employees of Jordan School District knew and worked with Superintendent Raymond Whittenburg. I was one of them. He passed away on Wednesday, April 1, from cancer. He retired 13 years ago, but his influence on our District and our individual lives continues today. I knew and worked with Raymond for over 30 years. I had the opportunity to live in his neighborhood for 13 years. I was so pleased to witness first hand that the man I saw and admired at work was the same man I knew in my neighborhood. Wherever he was, he consistently practiced the characteristics of caring, patience, hope, and optimism. I remember fondly his persistent encouragement to me and my wife to finish my schooling while our children were young. I remember a private visit with him when seeking advice about applying for the position of superintendent of schools. He was always supportive and encouraging. I was present when he was asked in a public meeting what the greatest compliment someone could give him. He said, “When someone calls me Raymond. I have the relationship I prefer with someone when they are comfortable calling me Ray.”
Raymond was no stranger to challenges at work and in meeting the health challenges of his dear wife, Merilyn. However, he never complained. When asked, “How are you doing?” he would respond, “One day at a time!” Then he would smile – a genuine smile. I knew he meant it. One time while visiting with him in his home, I asked him how he remained so optimistic in the midst of so many difficult issues in all parts of his life. He said, “Merilyn and I decided a long time ago that we would focus our energy on things we can change and not on those things we cannot. We make the best of whatever we have.” I heard him say this on other occasions in various settings. I knew he meant it and knew he lived his life accordingly. Raymond’s life’s motto, “one day at a time,” and his determination to focus his energy on things he could change and not on those he couldn’t, are very appropriate advice for us today. That perspective served him well throughout his life and will do the same for us. Thank you, Raymond, for your encouragement and example to us all. Like you, we will seek to face life with optimism “one day at a time” and will focus our energy on things we can change, not on things we cannot. I can hear you reassuringly say, “Things will work out.” I’m confident they will, too.