Mr. Herold:
I and hopefully the others on line
appreciate your responding to questions on line. I hope that the district
and board understand that our posting of questions on WOD is to enlighten not
just those on line but that our questions are community questions and that
future communication with the broader base of voters enables more people to
vote for passage because the public discussion and answers convinced enough to support
its passage.
I would hope more people would ask pointed
questions because it is the shifting sands that lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Tell us what is at stake, don’t soft peddle the consequence, don’t
play the kids or grandkids sympathy card and if we collectively say no then hit
us up side the head with the 2x4 and do what you need to do because you laid it
all on the line before we vote.
Those us who have also walked the walk and
talked the talk know that no one runs for the board for the glory and the
money. We may not like what the board says but the board needs to lead and
quite trying to please the world. If someone else thinks they can do it
better let them run as talk is easy and real solutions hard to achieve!!
Paul Double
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Kelly Herold
Sent: Tuesday,
September 27, 2005 9:32 PM
Thank you for your pointed and clear
questions. I counted 9, but double check my math. I have some
time at night and early in the morning to research and respond, and the
week-ends. Though this week-end I am taking my daughter and wife to the
WSU parade and also we are visiting Alma's [my daughter] Godmother over in
LaCrosse Sunday.
My goal is to thoughtfully answer at
least one of your questions to the best of my ability each day. Tonight I
attempt to provide help on questions ... 5 & 7.
Thanks for your patience and respectful
tone.
4. What is the projected 2010-11
student enrollment K-12 based on birth rates
2005-06 and formula modifications?
They
are flat and declining - though Hmong and Hispanic numbers are growing. I
need to double check my data here too. Sir - could you help me - I
need clarification on the question. Are there two questions you are
asking here?
No-------this is one question ----The Business
Manager and Assistant Superintendent use to monitor annual birth rates in the
861 area hospitals etc. so as to project Kindergarten enrollments five years into
the future. The adjustments factored in included such things a private
and parochial school loss as well as employment growth trends for new families that
might be expected due to job growth etc. within the district boundaries.
This information provides a good and reliable window into the future planning process
for building, staffing and transportation needs. The district also
monitored some other employment trends of major employers as significant
layoffs by large employers most often impacted the middle school population the
greatest. Also trends in low income group populations were watched as
they can provide significant revenue shifts in funding sources especially when
the number of low income students changes.
5. What, if any, elementary schools are scheduled to be mothballed,
closed or
sold and when? Does that change
with a yes or no vote and if so how?
More than likely Rollingstone.
We looked at the numbers and knowing other schools are at capacity and/or
realizing revenue streams - Rollingstone seems to be what we will have to close
next. That being said - I love Rollingstone and if we look ahead perhaps
as some of the demographic research provided by the state it suggests that that
area may realize some spillover from Rochester. Though that is probably
more hopeful than real.
As I reviewed the data it seems we are
using our schools at a capacity that meets our student to teacher ratio of 18 -
1. Existing "extra" space is being or has been developed into
revenue streams. For example the Jefferson school has space begin rented
out by Rainbow Program where we realize a monthly income. Other
relationships are being developed but to keep from compromising the evolution
of these relationships we just can't reveal with who and when. But at our
October 13th meeting we will in all likelihood be able to make an announcement
of another grade school's "extra" space being used to produce revenue
for the district while serving the needs of the community.
7. What specific changes occur in sports and arts if the referendum
fails?
We will be canceling virtually everything
and moving to a four day school week. I say virtually because groups like
SOFA may raise enough to put on something - but other than that - we will have
to cut activities, arts and sports.
Winona State University
Winona, MN
55987
507 - 457 - 5242
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
