We receive a lot of questions about the H1N1 flu. Health officials repeatedly tell us the swine flu is coming and we need to be ready. We have a District H1N1 Flu Task Force made up of the administrative cabinet, Lisa Robinson (oversees nursing services), Melinda Colton (Director of Communications), and Steven Dunham (Communications Assistant). We meet regularly to review all information shared by national, state and county health officials, which we receive almost on a daily basis.
So, how are we preparing? We are preparing to send schools and District facilities hand sanitizer and thermal-scan thermometers to assist with reducing germs and determining elevated temperatures in students and staff. We are also working with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department to establish H1N1 flu clinics in our schools. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available between mid-October and mid-November. The Health Department would like schools to be distribution points for the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Issues our Task Force is in the process of finalizing include: decision guidelines about when it might be advisable to close schools, make-up days if a school is closed, implications for all employees if schools are closed, impact on school extracurricular activities, student attendance issues related to flu absences, and effective communication strategies throughout the flu season.
As more information becomes available and as decisions are made, we will be sure to communicate with staff and parents about our plans. In the meantime, we must all continue to wash our hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, be aware of our own health and take necessary steps if we don’t feel well, especially if we have an elevated temperature.
It’s very nice to be back and into a new school year. The summer has been filled with many activities and charged with lots of excitement, emotion, and many difficult decisions. You, our employees, make all the difference in the world and repeatedly demonstrate why people love to live and educate their children in Jordan School District!
One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “What about education funding for next year?”
Everything I receive from the Legislature indicates there will need to be additional funding reductions next year. The most frequent amount used to describe the size of next year’s deficit is $700 million. We are being encouraged as a District to maintain reserve accounts wherever possible and prepare for possibly several years of reduced State revenues. I also urge caution when listening to news reports that say the recession has “bottomed out.” Economic indicators viewed in isolation can be misleading as to the overall state of the economy.
As a District, we need to anticipate various financial circumstances that could present themselves. We cannot completely rule out mid-year reductions in funding if second and third quarter revenues are down from projections. However, we are encouraged at the State’s projected revenues during this period of time which would be sufficient for this year’s expenses. We will be working on options and strategies in the event the State were to reduce the value of the WPU mid-year, or cut additional categorical funding to our District this year and next.
The District financial condition is stretched to its limit. Our financial needs are in excess of $30 million for this school year. Through property tax increases, use of fund balances, reductions in staff, and other budgetary action, we will neutralize this deficit for this year, but still need to be very proactive in anticipation of another year of state funding cuts.