January 21, 2010
Linda Schultz 
 
Fulton County School Board
District 1
 
Upcoming Community Meeting
 
Linda's picture
Each School Board member conducts a monthly community meeting to discuss current issues and concerns. Please join me for my next meeting.

Tuesday, February 16
9:30am
Mountain Park Elementary
 
In This Issue
Math Curriculum Updates
Budget Update
Open Enrollment Policy
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Math Curriculum Update
 
The Superintendent continues to refine the delivery of the math curriculum. We have seen steady increases in test scores in recent years, and scores are similar to where they were prior to the GPS curriculum rollout; however, there is a desire to accelerate this rate of improvement. In addition, we continue to seek ways to advance those students whose are ready for more difficult material. The specific recommendations follow. Additional information is available on the Fulton County Schools website.  
  •  By Fall 2010, remove Investigations from grades K-5 and Connected Math from grades 6-8 and rewrite SAMS to focus on teacher-directed application lessons using traditional texts and supporting resources.
  • Provide staff development for all elementary and middle school math teachers in the new skills focused curriculum prior to the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.
  • Align all ITBS (or other nationally-normed test), PSAT and ACT objectives to the new SAMS curriculum. (GPS to ITBS K-3, 3-5, and 5-8; GPS to PSAT and ACT 6-12)
  • Use Checkpoints as a screening tool for acceleration so more students have this opportunity.
  • Offer online Accelerated Math III - Semesters I and II to current 10th graders taking Accelerated Math II who wish to be on track to take Georgia Tech Calculus as seniors. Begin offering Semester I in Spring 2010 and allow self-paced completion as early as Summer 2010. Also offer a block of Accelerated Math III in Fall 2010 as an option where possible and a block AP Calculus in Spring 2011 for these students.
  • Revise SAMS to focus all lessons on a teacher-directed perspective. Eliminate all but one application task per unit at the high school level reducing task activities to only those concepts required for students to perform well on the state End-of-Course Tests.
Budget Update
 

There are several rumors circulating in the community about the budget. To date, the Superintendent has not made any recommendations for reductions for next year's budget. Our budget process is just beginning, and we'll be sharing information over the next few months.

 

There are 2 budgets to follow at this point in the year - our current budget (FY10), and next year's budget (FY11). In February, the Board will receive an update on this year's budget (FY10). The Governor has proposed additional reductions in state funding for this year; and our staff is analyzing the impact. In August, we absorbed a 3% cut to state QBE funding, which included 3 furlough days for staff. The Governor is recommending an additional 3% cut to state QBE (total of 6% this year). He suggested that some of this cut be implemented with 3 additional teacher furlough days.

 

I will provide an update when we receive the mid-term revenue and expense projections, which will include the budget gap for the remainder of the year. The Board will need to approve any adjustments to this year's budget quickly.

 

In February, the Board will also begin discussion of next year's budget (FY11). We will review staff recommendations for regular classroom teachers and class size, and have our annual enrollment projections workshop. The enrollment projections are used, along with the funding class size, to determine the number of teachers needed throughout the system. Basically, we divide the number of projected students in each grade/school by the funding class size to determine the number of teachers needed. Our goal is to adopt class sizes in February to allow our principals to begin hiring for the next school year.

 

During March and April, the Board will review other recommendations from the Superintendent regarding the FY11 budget. Our goal is to adopt a tentative budget in May. There will be opportunities for input at community meetings and formal public hearings.

 

Although I don't have specific information at this point, I anticipate that there will be deep cuts needed again this year to balance the FY11 budget. Last year, we trimmed approximately $63 million from the FY10 budget. Class size was increased by 1 at K-8 and by 2 in high school. We reduced work days for all employees, except classroom teachers, media specialists, school-based 10-month Pas, school technology specialists and food service managers who were subject to a 3 day furlough in August. We've reduced utility costs, custodial allowances, maintenance, professional learning, and benefits. Twelve positions have been eliminated from central office and central office has made additional budget cuts. This is not the entire list, but will give you an idea of the extent of budget cuts we made last year. It will be even more difficult this year to find the funds needed to balance the budget.

 

I always appreciate your input, and encourage you to be involved in our budget process this spring.  
Open Enrollment Policy
The Board will vote on changes to Policy JBCD at the January Board meeting. This policy provides guidance on hardships and open enrollment. The proposed policy revisions can be viewed on the BoardDocs website. Following is a brief overview of hardships and open enrollment options.
 

Hardship transfers will be accepted between January 25 - March 1 for the 2010-2011 school year. This category of requests include medical reasons, children of employees, child care, and curriculum differences for middle/high students. Hardships are granted for only one school year. Transportation is the responsibility of the parents.

 

Open enrollment options will be available on May 1, 2010. This choice program always students to transfer to a school with available space. There is no need to justify the transfer, but transportation is the responsibility of the parent. Selections for available classroom slots will be made by lottery, and students will be notified of their selection no later than June 30th. Students may remain at their transfer school until they complete the last grade at that school.