Thursday, July 28, 2011

[Volcano_Vista_HS] APS District 2 Update: July 23, 2011



Before I go into highlights from Board meetings this week, I'd like to tell you that the release of SBA scores always kills me. I have to say that my children's schools are considered failing by these scores. And I have to disagree wholeheartedly with that blanket scoring.

I refuse to believe that schools should be judged based on one test in two subject areas and 9 subgroups. I think the success of a school can be measured by so many other things, such as the community spirit of a school; the teachers and their commitment to our children (especially when they have taken a pay hit again this year); extracurriculur activities that are offered to our kids; the administrators at our schools and how committed they are to their parents and students; the parent involvement at a school.

I won't deny that our students can do better in school. But that is NOT the sole responsibility of a school district or a teacher. That responsibility also lies with parents, who should and MUST be more involved with their children at school. I know parents must work. But parents must also ensure that:

-- Their children are well-rested and in school ON TIME. (I can't tell you how many times I see parents dropping their kids off past the 8:10 a.m. start time or middle schoolers walking in past 8:05)

-- Their children are fed -- and if they can't afford to feed them, to make sure they are getting assistance that is out there to get them fed at school.

-- Their children are doing their homework. (Can't tell you how many teachers have told me they have parents telling them their child won't be doing the homework.)

-- Their children come to school with supplies. As a substitute, I couldn't believe how many kids would come to class and ask their peers for a pencil or a piece of paper. (Again, help is available for parents who can't supply their children with basic needs. The APS Clothing Bank is a great first start at getting help.)

-- Attend parent-teacher conferences (which will NOT be canceled this coming school year, no matter the inclement weather)

-- Their children are READING at home at least 30 minutes a day.

As a parent and Board member, I will continue to hold APS accountable in terms of its spending and achievement goals. As a parent, I will continue to stress the importance of parents being involved in their children's education.

Now on to other things:

The Board of Education was busy this week. Here is the link to the agendas of the Audit, Finance and regular meetings held this week: http://www.aps.edu/about-us/board/meeting-archives/meetingsfolder_view?past:int=100&-C=

The agendas have all the documents you may be interested in reading.

Highlights:

-- It's very interesting to look at APS' checkbook, or Cash Dispursements, listed in the Finance agenda as Item III. I do go through the checkbook and see what the district pays for in a given month. It's a very good look at what the district spends to maintain the 142 schools and other departments in the district.

-- It's also interesting to see the Statement of Equipment taken out of service. APS must follow statute in disposing of old equipment and furniture, so it has three options of disposing of property: Auction, donation to the state General Services Department or donation to a 501(c)(3) organization. APS chooses auction because it can destroy the hard drives and sell the parts and the money goes into the operational fund. To donate, APS would have to wipe the hard drives clean, and that's not cost feasible. The Board has asked that for equipment that shows some remaining life and a net value, we would like to see why that piece is being taken out of service.

-- Take Home Vehicles. Leadership team members have 10 take-home cars. Two leadership folks gave up their cars, Monica Armenta and Tom Ryan.

-- The Police Department has a total of 71 cars (10 cars used by City Center staff and are take home. 61 cars by school police and 50 are take home) APS is parking 23 vehicles that were take-home cars and leaving them at the school sites.

-- Other APS vehicles: 644 total.

Worth noting is that those who take home a car for their use do pay the IRS-mandated $3 per day that is taken out of their paychecks.

I am happy to see some vehicles being parked -- the savings is nominal when you look at our huge operational budget. But any little bit of money saved on take-home cars is money that goes back into schools.

-- Superintendent Brooks has reinstated 10.5 assistant principals at middle schools. I am glad for this. Our middle schools are hugely over-burdened and our children in these grade levels need as many adults as they can get. I will continue to push for more counselors in middle schools!

--Cell phones and air cards: The district is reviewing how many cell phones and air cards it has. When this review is done, Superintendent Brooks will bring results to the Board.

APS Goals:

The Board will be reviewing the previous eight goals determined in 2008 based on the community meetings held when Brooks came on board. The Board's intent is to review and modify the goals for the next year. This will be a long process and community meetings are part of the plan to get public feedback on what our goals should be. More information as I get it will come. My personal opinion: Our Number 1 goal is improving achievement and tackling the problems that impede achievement, like truancy and long-term suspensions, attendance, etc.

APS Warehouse Reform:

The warehouse will carry just over 100 items, down from 1,100 items it used to carry. Each department in APS had to cut 12.8%. The warehouse took a hit because of that need to cut.

The Board was assured by Dr. Winter that several Just-In-Time Contracts have been identified (Staples, School Specialties, Quill, Sandia Office Supplies, Midway) and those contractors and what they sell, plus their prices, will be made available to schools by August 1.

Dr. Winter says it is the goal of APS to make sure vendors are selling to schools at the same price or close to the same price APS was selling to schools.

The leftover inventory from last year will be sold until it is gone and only the 100 items are in the warehouse.

I did tell Dr. Winter that while APS may be saving $612,000 per year with this move, the schools are fearful they will carry the burden and not be able to buy all the supplies they need because a. they are paying more for them; and b. their supply budgets have been slashed due to budget cuts.

To those of you in the schools who order supplies: Dr. Winter -- and I -- want your feedback as this system is rolled out. He expects bumps in the transition but he is willing and ready to hear your feedback! Please let us know how this new system works.

Thanks and have a good week,

Kathy

Kathy Korte, APS District 2 Board Member



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