Kettering Schools’ Reduced Tax Request — From 6.9 Mills To 4.9 Mills — Shows “Change Of Philosophy”

Last May 4, Kettering voters rejected the 6.9 mill levy of additional operating revenue for Kettering Schools by 642 votes.  The tally showed 6573 votes (48%) in Favor and 7215 votes (52%) against.

The Kettering School Board is now asking for 4.9 mills — to be decided in this November’s general election. A change from 6.9 mills to 4.9 mills signals a significant change in the district’s five year budget plan, and, according to School Superintendent, Jim Schoenlein, it is the result of, “a change in philosophy.”

Dr. Jim Schoenlein, Superintendent of Kettering Schools, in his office, last Friday, August, 13, 2010. We had a good conversation.

The previous five year budget forecast, that justified a 6.9 mill property tax increase for Kettering residents, showed that in budget years 2010 through 2014, total expenditures would be $440 million.  The new five year budget, for the same time period, shows total expenditures of $421 million — a total reduction over the five years of $19 million.

The first year of the new budget (2010) shows a total expenditure that is the same as the old budget — $82,139,965 — so the $19 million savings in the five year plan happens in the last four years.  However, the school year and the budget year are not the same, so cuts and changes start immediately in this 2010 – 2011 school year.  (See both five year plans here.)

This $19 million reduction in the five year budget required the Kettering Board to make some hard choices.

Here is my understanding of how $19 million was cut from the first five year plan, in order to decrease the request for new taxes from 6.9 mills to 4.9 mills:

• Closing Moraine Meadows Elementary School @ $500,000 per year — saving $2 million in the new budget plan
• Staff Reductions @ $1.5 million each year — saving $6 million in the new budget plan
• Other Non-staff reductions @ $250,000 each year — saving $1 million in the new budget plan.
• A reduction in inflation rate for personnel expenses from 4.8% in the first five year plan to 2.8% in the revised five year plan — saving $10 million in the new budget plan.

A budget that shows a change from 4.8% inflation in personnel expense to 2.8% inflation — while keeping the number of staff unchanged — shows a big shift in board policy.

Because the master contract includes built in step increases — for increased longevity and additional training — even if there is zero increase in the master contract, each year the contract results in a 2% inflation of personnel cost.  So budgeting for a 2.8% increase signals a tough bargaining stance. It looks like in the next three year contract there may be room in the budget, I’m guessing, for increases in the total cost of the master contract of: 0%, 1%, 1% .

In response to the e-mail that I sent to him, I met with Kettering School Superintendent, Dr. Jim Schoenlein, last Friday, in his office. I enjoyed the visit. Before I realized, almost an hour passed in discussion on topics inspired by Frederick Hess’s new book about “Greenfield Schooling.” I appreciated the fact that Dr. Schoenlein evidently had set aside a generous block of time for our meeting. We kept talking altogether for over two hours.

Dr. Schoenlein indicated that the new five year plan shows a “change in philosophy” for the school board, and is an effort by the board to respond to a change in the public attitude about pay for government workers.

The new plan shows a reduction in the percentage of the budget going to personnel expenses. The first five year budget plan, that required 6.9 mills of new taxes, showed that personnel expense took 85.9% of the budget.  The new budget, requiring 4.9 mills, shows that personnel expense will take 85.2% of the budget.

The reduction in staff, saving a total of $1.5 million each year, will occur through retirements.  Here is the list of the positions that will be eliminated:

• Director of curriculum and instruction
• Arena Manager / Kettering Education Fund executive
• Kettering Middle School Assistant Principal
• Data Coordinator
• Middle School librarian
• 3.5 Elementary Teachers
• 2.8 High School Teachers
• 1 Alternative School Teacher
• 2 Gifted Teachers
• 1 High School Counselor
• 1 preschool Teacher

Dr. Schoenlein indicated that these staff changes will mean that many teachers and administrators will have more responsibility, more to do, and that, “everybody will need to pitch in.”

I’m impressed with this new plan offered by the Kettering Board, and I’m impressed with Dr. Schoenlein.  I believe the Kettering public will support this new budget plan and will vote, this November, to approve the 4.9 mill tax increase.

I indicated to Schoenlein my conviction that the transformation that is needed in public education can only come from a big push from the grassroots. It can only come from an informed public and from a vitalized democracy that responds.  Dr. Schoenlein indicated that, if I put together a schedule of public meetings for this autumn, dealing with the topic of transforming public education, that he will be glad to attend and participate.