Minneapolis did vote on levies to keep class sizes small, and the sizes promised at the elementary level are being held to that level. At the secondary levels, there are over enrolled classes. So what's happening? The official count of students happens, by state mandate, early in October. The class sizes change in high school, partially due to late enrollment, partially due to course changes, and other factors come into play. As you all know, the public schools accept everyone, and there are students who arrive at various times throughout the year. The Board is aware of this, in our role of monitoring the district, we asked for an update on class sizes at the high schools at a recent discussion meeting (that are always open to the public). The high schools are now working to lower those classes that are over enrolled.
Many schools are using part of their comp ed money to "buy down" the class sizes at the lower grades even more than the referendum promised. For a short while, one time money for class size reduction (revenue limited to to 2-3 years and then ends) was available from the state as well as the Federal govt. for elementary classes only. At Lyndale School, for an example, that money was used to further reduce 3rd grade class sizes to give those students extra attention, and it certainly paid off, some of those classes were at 14-16 when I visited on several occasions and Lyndale School has made great progress. At Washburn H.S, for another example, many of the 9th grade classes are also at a "buy down" level to assist 9th graders who struggle with high school transitions so they can get more attention from their teachers. Private schools have the "luxury" of closing enrollment and have a selective process for admission. The public schools are the true melting pot of society. We have several schools where enrollment changes from week to week because student's families are relocated due to housing shortages. The district works to find the transportation to keep kids in the same school but many times when families move, children miss out on several days of school because no one informs the district of the transportation changes. It is quite a challenge to keep the information flowing so that education is not interrupted. But uprooting from place to place is disconcerting to many adults as well as to kids. Sometimes, a parent just requests a new school closer to the new abode and that causes upheaval as well. The Board, however, is monitoring those class sizes and if you know of specific classes that are over the referendum promise, feel free to conntact us, and we will be sure to bring it to the attention of the administration. Speaking of administration costs, the district is at a very low and lean level of administration costs. Each year, we are audited by Deloitte Touche, an outside firm. In last year's audit, presented on Dec 12, 2000, with 4 area superintendents and offices, the ratio of administrative expenditures to general fund revenue was 4.2% in 2000. Note that it did not include principals. In this report, challenges for the future included concerns for the rising health care costs. And that's what's happening now, they are becoming astronimically high all over, not just in this district. So the percentage of those costs combined with utilities over the last year have been the highest growing cost. This ratio was listed as a strategic advantage of the district. The audit is a public document, and I think those who are interested would find it very informative. We now have 3 area superintendents and offices for the record. Also, in this audit, the total expenditures per pupil were actually at $5,319 when adjusted for all the costs that are debt service or required as categoricals like food service, transportation, special education cross subsidy, capitol outlay, etc. For the year 1999. We have yet to receive the audit for 2000. About meaningful parent and community involvment, it isn't perfect and it can be frustrating to some individuals. However, in this last year, we have held several policy study sessions and public forums on an array of topics from advertising and vending to site councils to school closings to high school transformation and solutions for small schools facing lower revenues. We have heard from the public in great numbers. Every one of those sessions was attended by over 100 people, a few had over 150. We heard from over 65 folks on one issue alone. Many of the opinions expressed were taken very seriously and played a large roll in the decisions reached by the Board. On the school closings, for instance, it was recommended that 6 schools close. After hearing from so many parents, students and alumni of schools, we voted to close only three and the administration is working on housing some programs in different sites. On advertising and vending, the Board adopted the commercial free schools recommendations and curtailed the availability of pop and high fructose drinks in high schools and banned it altogether in middle schools. Federal law prohibits its sales to elementary schools that receive Fed. lunch and breakfast program money. So it does make a difference. The majority of the Board members currently have children in the public schools. All is not perfect, but some of the remarks made recently are inaccurate. I am glad to have the opportunity to give this information to the list and the public. I write a column for community papers every month as I see it as part of the Board's role to communicate to the public about information that is important and valuable in understanding the complexity of many issues. One initiative that the Board is working on is to increase the partnership with the University of Minnesota to produce better prepared teachers for that unique urban experience and to find ways to better prepare our students for post secondary education. On Nov. 20, the Board is bringing in the Education Trust from Wash DC to have an informative session about the needs of the district in forming such a partnership. It will be one of the most informative meetings of the year, and it is open to the public. It is a discussion meeting, so the public is not able to give input at that time. But it will be on a regular meeting agenda in the future. (Sorry about the length of the post, but these are heavy topics and deserve full explanation. When I write articles, I am limited to 800- to 1,000 words..! ) Audrey Johnson MPS BOE 10th ward At 11:48 PM 11/9/01 -0500, you wrote: >Oh, sweet irony--NOW we have substantive exchange from diverse sources on >Mpls School board issues. I was not a winner, but my interest in the issues >I raised has not diminished and I am happy to see them re-raised here. >Yes,Karen Collier, we did approve levies to reduce class size, but many, >many classrooms still exceed the max promised--while the District meanwhile >used dollars to add another layer of administration in the form of area >superintendents. "Less administration; more direct service." Yes, Nancy >Russell, there are loudmouth politicians (or candidates) who also write >passable English--but they don't necessarily get elected when the majority >of registered voters don't consider school issues to be their issues. And, >yes, Doug, the Board needs to hear from parents and community members on >significant issues--but the solution is not to toss agendas or give more 3 >minutes bites at the microphone. It's to create supported, ongoing avenues >for meaningful involvement. But--whether we agree or not, school issues >will become real voter issues through ongoing exchanges like the one Diane >Wiley started here & you joined. Voters get another chance to elect 4 >board members next year. Let's keep the exchange going. > > >Kathy Kosnoff >(former) Candidate for Minneapolis School Board >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > >_______________________________________ >Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy >Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: >http://e-democracy.org/mpls > > _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
