I received a hand-written note the other day – only two or three short
lines. It was a note of appreciation for something I had said to a group of people that helped them out. What I said to them isn’t important. What is important though, is how I felt to receive a simple note of thanks. I think it took this person less than one minute and the cost of a postage stamp to write the note, address it, and mail it to me. I’ve concluded you can’t quantify appreciation that way. I don’t know why I felt so appreciative that someone was appreciative of something I did – and then took the time to tell me. It seems a little circular, but that’s how I felt. One thing I know for certain; it brightened my life for several days – not in a self-centered way, but it gave me strength to be willing to meet the challenges of another day and try to make a positive difference again. Kindness and appreciation add positive energy to our lives and those around us. We should always be grateful when we receive it from others and be quick to pass it on to someone else. Thank you for all you do every day!
Archive
Sh-h-h-h-h-h. I’ve got a secret . . . sort of. Jordan School District will have a new logo beginning July 2009. I’ve seen it. The Board has seen it. In fact, the Board has looked at several before selecting the one that best reflects and communicates our history, ideals, and strengths. So, why is it a secret? Only because we won’t be using it until July when we begin a new era as a school district. A logo is important in order to communicate what sets one organization apart from another. When done right, a look, an image, and a word, communicates volumes about who we are and what we will continue do better than anyone else. So why not just show us the logo? What’s the big deal? After all, Dixie College showed us theirs. Well, I’ve learned there is an art, strategy and maybe a little science to unveiling a logo. There needs to be some anticipation, some speculation, some drama, some sequencing, some build-up, etc. So yes, it’s a little unfair to tell you I have a secret and then not “show” you what it is. But I will – later – closer to July. I just thought that you may be interested to know that among the many things that will be new to all of us this next school year, a new District logo will be one of them. I can’t wait to show it to you because it truly reflects what we are all about.
Everyone is focused on the economy. As the economy goes, so goes much of the funding for education. There are lots of places to watch. Some watch the stock market. Others watch federal economic recovery appropriations. Still others watch unemployment figures. I spoke this past week with colleagues in California, Nevada, and Arizona about their state budgets and the impact of education. Oddly and thankfully, I came away with a definite awareness that “things could be worse – much worse.” In the midst of our own financial deficits, comparisons of financial woes don’t really make anyone feel better.
Right now, I am staying very focused on our State Legislature and Governor Huntsman. So many things are in a state of flux right now that it’s nearly impossible to know exactly how this and next year’s budgets will be adjusted.
The State has some financial flexibility with funds appropriated to build roads, bonding options, distribution of surplus funds (rainy-day funds – - – hello, it’s raining), anticipated federal economic stimulus funds, and unallocated one-time funds from this year. Everyone seems to have a different way of putting this all together in order to point us in a clear financial direction.
As a District, we are being very fiscally conservative right now, even a little stingy. We are aware of general adjustments that could be made, but haven’t become specific at this point. Whatever resources we have, we want to be sure they are used in the most productive manner. I, with you, would really like to know what we need to do financially this year and begin to prepare for next year, but we don’t have much to go on. So we watch, wait, and evaluate our response to possible outcomes. For now, waiting for more information and details is an O.K. place to be.
By the way – no news yet on the Arbitration Panel decisions regarding assets or a ruling from the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver on the Herriman City appeal.
Welcome back! I like being away. I also like my work and enjoy getting back to a familiar routine.
January brings some important issues to watch. First of all, I anticipate a decision from the Arbitration Panel on the division of district assets within the next two weeks. Those decisions will determine which district holds title to buildings, property, furnishings, vehicles, and the percentage of cash within the existing District funds.
Also, on Jan. 14 the Herriman City appeal of a Utah Federal Court ruling will be heard in Denver. This appeal relates to the constitutionality of the process by which Jordan District was divided. It’s uncertain when a ruling on the appeal will be issued. It could be several months or many months. No one seems to know for sure.
Another important activity to watch is the workings of the Utah Legislature. They begin Jan. 26 and conclude March 12. The big question on everyone’s mind is what the State budget for next year will look like. I anticipate the Legislature will adopt a reduced budget from this year during the first week of the session and will adjust the allocations up or down depending on updated revenue figures received in mid-February. I’m encouraged by Governor Huntsman’s continued emphasis on the need to keep education funds constant (at least minimize any reductions) and look for ways to increase teacher compensation over the next several years.
I was reminded the other day of a student in my fifth-grade class named Michael. I was teaching a combined class of fifth- and sixth-grade students. Michael was a bright, witty, aware student. Another unique quality of his was an ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing. It was like a sixth-sense for him. What he did wasn’t bad. It was just irritating. His behavior seemed to frequently require some kind of intervention on my part. Having said that, I really liked Michael. In fact, I had him in my class for two consecutive years (poor Michael). One day, while the students were working on a project, I noticed that Michael wasn’t working – at all. So I said to him, “Michael, please stop wasting your time.” His response took me totally by surprise. In typical Michael fashion he replied, “Mr. Newbold, I’m not wasting my time – I’m just using it up doing nothing!”
The winter recess is time for each of us to relax, spend time with family and friends, and if we choose, “do nothing.” That may in fact be a very wise use of time. Whatever you choose to do, may your time be filled with activities that bring a sense of renewal and much happiness.
I’ve met recently with PTA leaders, School Community Council Chairs, and school administrators from around the District. Without exception, everyone is looking for information about issues relating to the District division. Here is an update:
• Hearings before the three-member Arbitration Panel begin Monday, Dec. 8, and will last through Dec. 19. Then the decisions of dividing the District assets rest in their hands. We’ll have to wait until mid to late January to know what the panel decides.
• The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver will hear oral argument regarding the Herriman City appeal of the constitutionality of the vote to divide the District on Jan. 14, 2009. We don’t know when to expect the court’s decision.
• The three boards of education have come to an understanding about how they will fill administrative vacancies that occur between now and June 30, 2009. Vacancies will be filled by Lead or Interim assignments, and permanent administrative positions will be named as soon as possible.
• The Remaining Jordan School District Board is studying budgets and school enrollment estimates in preparation for developing a funding strategy that will ensure our success.
We have made great deal of progress the past two weeks in finalizing lease agreements for new District facilities. Jordan School District has signed an agreement to lease property at 7800 South Redwood Road. Many District services currently housed at the Auxiliary Services Building and some District services will be housed there. The Board will soon finalize a lease agreement for additional space to ensure that all current District-level services can be in place by July 1, 2009. Our lease agreements are for three years with options to renew the lease or, if desired, purchase the property. We have kept every option open for the District so we can maximize our financial resources and be able to continue to provide exceptional services to students and patrons. Once the lease agreements are finalized, we will enter into a third-party contract to have the space modified to fit our needs. I encourage you to keep an eye on the property on Redwood Road to see the transformation to a very functional, appropriate District facility we will all be proud of.
The Jordan School District Board of Education (west) is moving forward with steps to be independent of the Canyons District regarding shared services. After nearly a month of proposals and counter-proposals, the remaining Jordan District Board has determined it is in the best interest of its students and employees to move on without sharing services. The history of these proposals can be found on the Board’s Web site.
What does this mean? It means that both the Jordan District and the Canyons District will need to provide independent services and departments for payroll, insurance, accounting, information systems, printing, testing and accountability, intra-district mail, library-media, purchasing, nutrition services, building maintenance and repair, building security, energy management, transportation, warehousing, home and hospital services, and community education. Inasmuch as these need to be fully operational before July 1, 2009, both districts need to identify building space and get services up and running.
For the west, the first order of business is to lease office space within its district. Then, some remodeling will need to take place, furnishings and equipment must be ordered, and technology infrastructure needs to be established. This will take about seven months. By acting now, the Jordan School District Board feels it can be ready to provide services to students and staff without interruption by July 1, 2009.
The process for dividing District assets is different from the process that may determine shared services for staff and students. Dividing District assets is the role of the three-member arbitration panel. They will render a decision in January 2009. Sharing services to students and staff are decisions that will be made between the two boards of education in the new and remaining districts.
Dividing District assets mainly involves ownership of vacant land, school buildings and other facilities, buses, vehicles, building contents, and cash balances in various accounts. The question of dividing those assets in a fair manner has been the work of the transition teams and is now the work of the arbitration panel.
Shared services can be divided into two general categories, (1) business services, and (2) programs for students and staff. Business services include payroll, insurance, accounting, purchasing, auxiliary services, transportation services, etc. Programs for students and staff include special education, access to applied technology programs, staff development, guidance services, ESL services, student registration, home and hospital services, crisis teams, homeless services, etc. There are lots of these kinds of services.
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.