1 Passing the School Budget Presented By: Vermont School Boards
Association 2008
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2 Speakers Bill Talbott VT Dept. of Education Brent Kay Orange
Southwest SU Ken Fredette Wallingford School Bd. John Fike Reading
School Board Winton Goodrich - VSBA
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3 Key Assumptions Connection between per pupil expenditures and
residential tax rates No CLA impact when paying taxes based on
income Boards not responsible for impact of increasing property
values
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4 Cost Drivers Local and Total Spending Negotiated Contract
Employee Benefits Purchased Services Student/Teacher Ratios
Increased Staffing Levels
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75% of Budget is Fixed by the Negotiated Contract Options for
Substantial Cost Reduction: Eliminate Programs Increase
Student/Teacher Ratio
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6 Factors That Influence Taxes District could have flat budget
growth but if CLA decreases it causes tax increase Property value
growth is slowing CLA impact may diminish in future years Less tax
base growth may cause statewide tax rate to increase
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7 Whats New for FY09 First year union and member districts have
separate tax rates Each will be exposed to high spending threshold
Base year for Act 82 Think-Twice, two-vote provision
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8 Whats New Changes to equalized pupils Secondary weight
reduced to 1.13% Shorter ADM Final count Dec. 15 Considering fall
and spring ADM census
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9 Financial Effort % wealth that a state allocates to education
$12,337 in 2008 has the same "purchase power" as $10,000 in
2000.
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10 Ed Spending CPI GDP (revised slide)
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11 School Spending Patterns Change (2007 VT Annual Personal
Income Growth 4.7%)
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12 Education Fact Sheet Demonstrates Equity Between High and
Low Spending Districts
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13 Annual Health Insurance Increases Vermont School Boards
Insurance Trust
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14 Annual Special Education Increases (K-12 Service Plans)
Vermont Department of Education
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18 Vermont Business Roundtable
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19 Web Finance Resources Vermont Business Roundtable
http://www.vtroundtable.org/ Voices for Vermont's Children
http://www.voicesforvermontschildrenhttp://www.voicesforvermontschildren.
org/main.php/sid/7
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Education Funding Bill Talbott Chief Financial Officer Vermont
Department of Education
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21 Equalized Pupil Weights WeightScaleScaled Weight Elem.
(PreK-6)1.0 0.9100.91 Sec. (7 12)1.130.9101.028 Elem. Poverty0.25
0.9100.228 Sec. Poverty0.28250.9100.257 English Learner.20
0.9100.182
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Student Enrollment Trends
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24 Excess Spending Threshold FY 2008 - $12,594 FY 2009 -
$13,200(est.) (Statewide avg. of $10,860 increased by 25%)
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26 2008 State Tax Rates Homestead tax rate = $0.87 (may be
reduced to $0.85) Non-resident & business tax rate = $1.36 (may
be reduced to $1.34) School budgets do not impact non-resident and
business tax bills
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27 Non-resident Tax Rate CLA impact same as homestead tax rate
Fund raising doesnt help any more No financial advantage for
benefactor
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28 Non-Resident CLA Impact $1.36 Non-Resident & Business
(No income sensitivity provisions) Town A (90% CLA) adjusted tax
rate $1.36/0.90 = $1.51 Town B (80% CLA) adjusted tax rate
$1.36/0.80 = $1.70
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29 Eligibility for Income Adjustment 2007 tax return $90,000 or
less based on entire house site value Income over $90,000
eligibility based on first $200,000 of house site value
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30 Income Sensitivity Homestead income less than $90,000 - Tax
credit subtracted from school tax bill Based on 2007 income and FY
2008 school budget Homestead income less than $47,000 of total tax
bill Combined municipal and adjusted school tax must not exceed 5%
of income
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31 Common Level of Appraisal Common Level of Appraisal Town
grand list divided by the state equalized grand list Used to
equalize property values and resulting tax burdens throughout the
state Statewide average CLA 82.39%
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32 Effect of CLA on Tax Rates If CLA IsIncrease Tax Rate By
95%5% 90%11% 85%18% 80%25% 75%33% 70%43% 65%54%
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33 Under Act 130 Homestead tax collected by town Union and
member districts each have own tax rates (dont avg. rates)
Districts determine ed. spending per pupil Based on grade range of
district Prek -12, K-6, 7- 12, 9-12, etc.
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34 Under Act 130 Union districts are recognized All districts
will determine education spending per equalized pupil All districts
will have a homestead tax rate Towns homestead tax rate weighted
average of district tax rates
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35 Homestead Tax Rate for Bedrock Town of Bedrock 60% of eq.
pupils are members of Bedrock Elementary District 40% of eq. pupils
are members of Mudville Union High District
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36 Homestead Tax Rate for Bedrock Bedrock Elem. tax rate =
$1.40 Mudville Union High tax rate = $1.55 60% of 1.40 = 0.84 40%
of 1.55 = 0.62 Bedrock tax rate = 1.46
38 Equalized Homestead Tax Rates Average Ed Spending per Eq.
Pupil of District Percentage of Household Income Equalized
Homestead Tax Rate $7,330 FY07 Base 1.80% FY07 Base 0.95 FY07 Base
$8,0631.98%1.05 $8,7962.16%1.14 $9,5292.34%1.24 $10,2622.52%1.33
$10,9952.70%1.43
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39 Tax Rates on the Tax Bill Equalized Tax rates are then
divided by the towns Common Level of Appraisal Per pupil spending =
$9,529 Equalized rate = $1.24 CLA = 80% Tax rate on bill = 1.24 80%
= $1.55
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40 Education Spending for State Total Adopted Budgets PreK- 12
$1,227,094,890 Less Expected Revenues$212,046,312 Education
Spending$1,015,048,578
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41 2005 Data, Vermont Dept. of Education Regional Per Pupil
Education Comparisons
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Tax Rates & Tax Amounts
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43 BRAD
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44 Town Rebates and Prebates
http://www.state.vt.us/tax/pdf.word.ex
cel/statistics/2004/prebate_town.pdf Income Sensitivity Web
Resources Check Link
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The Final Stage: Presenting and Passing Your School District
Budget Brenda Fleming Business Manager Rutland Northeast
Supervisory Union
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46 Know your Audience School Board Committee of Elected
Officials Citizens of a Single Town Citizens of Multiple Towns
Union or Independent School District Vocational School Local or
Regional
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47 Respect Your Audience What are the goals for students? What
are the key economic factors? Who are your major employers?
Dotcom's vs. agricultural industries Large conglomerates vs. family
run businesses
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48 Respect Your Audience What are the income levels? Compare
community, state, and national incomes. What are the community
education levels?
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49 Present to your Audience Tailor information to fit the
public forum. PowerPoint, Overheads, Handout Mailing, Brochures
& Flyers Small meetings of elected officials and citizens Large
meeting of citizens Remember to Respect your Voters!
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50 Budget Approval Process Public vote From the Floor Board
members present Citizens and/or voters present Public vote by
Australian Ballot Voters must read the annual report and/or budget
flyer to be informed Make sure the written material is clear,
concise & understandable Dont use public funds to advocate;
only to inform!
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51 Trust & Positive Communications Be Prepared! Its BEST
way to maintain and/or gain voters trust! Know the major budget
increases Answer the tough questions, before they are asked Control
the presentation Keep discussion on task and on schedule Provide
all the necessary information Keep presentation positive &
productive
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52 Trust & Positive Communications Dont wait for voters to
ask tough questions Often become antagonistic Begin fueling
mistrust May r esult in loss of Board control
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53 Major Budget Factors/Hot Topics Know answers to hot topics!
Special Education Connect costs & programs to students Show and
demand respect for students & families Beware of acronyms IEP,
SLP, EEE, 504 Maintain confidentiality and inform voters
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54 Major Budget Factors/Hot Topics Teacher contracts What are
average teacher salaries Avoid blaming! Avoid comments like we have
no control Creates anger & mistrust Avoid negative comments
like we tried .. but the union said no
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55 Major Budget Factors/Hot Topics Health Insurance Be prepared
to answer: How much do the Teachers pay? Why is it so little?
Explain cooperative buying programs (VSBIT) Provide other district
info Compare to professional industries
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56 Major Budget Factors/Hot Topics Building Operation &
Maintenance Deferred Maintenance Rising Energy Costs Bulk Purchase
Programs and Regional Collaborations Other Local Topics Upcoming
Building Projects/Bond Votes Explanation of Deficits
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57 What to Answer & How to Answer Consider what the voter
needs to know Who will be served by the Budget What will it mean to
all Parties: Students Teachers Taxpayers Why do we need these
Services How much will it Cost In Total Per student Taxpayer
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58 Connect the Budget to Students Connect budget to students,
programs and school achievements Now is NOT the time to be Humble
Communicate high test scores If recently instituted full-day
Kindergarten has resulted in higher test scores in 3 rd grade tout
it! Remember your Audience Multiple towns Use combination of
graphics, narrative, PowerPoints
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59 Presenting vs. Defending Speak with Confidence Be:
Consistent Concise Clear (If you dont know an answer, DONT make it
up!) Respectful
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60 Presenting vs. Defending What to Avoid I statements Budget
created and supported by a team We have no control over contract,
SPED.. Statements about our lack of control fuel anger and
mistrust
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61 Presenting vs. Defending Beware of Inadvertently Defending
the Budget Best proposal: balancing educational needs and taxpayer
costs Support the budget with facts, figures & concrete
information Including the budget assumptions and expectations
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62 Presenting vs. Defending DONT avoid questions. Even if you
disagree, remember that the proposed budget was agreed upon by the
majority of board Do not to criticize the budget Avoid negative
statements: We cant..We tried..
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Budget Passage Communication and Engagement Strategies Bob
Noyed President National School Public Relations Association
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64 Effective Communication Strategies Develop a plan Create
effective media relations Involve key opinion leaders Explain
reasons for decisions Create key messages
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65 Effective Communication Strategies Make communication
everyones job Share bad news and move on Step around media and
gatekeepers Share information with school staff
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66 What Is a Communication Plan? Road map for connecting with
stakeholders Identify what needs to be conveyed Create short-term
strategies to address specific issues
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67 Types of Communication Processes No plan Event or issue
based Crisis based Regular and ongoing Strategic and
integrated
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68 Developing Communication Strategy Decide Where are we now?
How did we get here? Where do we want to be? How do we get where we
want to be?
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69 Creating an Effective Strategy Plan with the end in mind
Outline key messages Identify obstacles Establish best tactics to
reach goal Assess effectiveness
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70 Getting Through Communication Clutter Establish strategies
that dont add to clutter Focus on participation rather than
activities School not on most radar screens Develop key messages
Use emotional stories not boring facts
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71 Create Key Messages Decide top 3 things community wants to
know Incorporate key ideas in all communications Frame discussion
for stakeholders Help them understand perspective
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72 Necessity for Internal Communication Provides foundation for
communication program Creates communication culture Emphasizes role
of staff as ambassadors Encourages staff to deliver messages
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73 Why Foster Internal Communications Research indicates that
school staff especially custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, and
food service workers are the most believed sources of school
information. (National School Public Relations Association)
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74 Communicating Complex Issues Time Community cant understand
immediately Repetition - Need many exposures and reminders Layering
Break issue down into smaller pieces and layers
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75 Moving from Communication to Engagement Communicate Public
Hearing Talk To Protect Turf Top Down Influence Like- Minded
Establish Hierarchy Authority Deliberate With Community Conversat.
Talk With Find Common Ground Bottom Up Understand Different Views
Build Networks Responsibility
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76 Public Engagement Results Involved community Selling
proposals are minimized Build better community relations Radical
voices are minimized Fewer squeaky wheel decisions Solutions come
from community
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77 Final Thoughts Start early Begin planning next years budget
presentation tomorrow Dont just share numbers tell stories about
how spending helps kids Communicate the value, not just the cost
Engage citizens in the process
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Link the budget to measurable goals as well as student and
school accomplishments!
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What Do Voters Get for Their Tax Dollars Show Me the
Goods!
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80 Action Plan Student performance data Target areas needing
improvement Professional development New curriculum
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81 Tracking Student Performance Assessment scores Graduation
rates Achievement of students with special needs Higher
education/post secondary enrollment NSBA Data Connection
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82 Tracking Student Performance Salary levels for graduates
Awards & recognition received Scholarships received
Participation in AP courses NSBA Data Connection
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83 Other Student Performance Indicators Community service &
co- curricular activities Graduate & parent satisfaction
surveys Attendance/drop out rates
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84 School Indicators Student/teacher ratio Teacher expertise
& awards % of parents involved Number of community volunteers
Types/# of business partnerships
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92 Comparative Web Data Cost-Effective Comparative Data
http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/data/compar ison_data.html
State School Report Data http://crs.uvm.edu/schlrpt/ Comparative
School Data http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/maindata.ht
ml
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93 Passing Your School Budget or Bond Vote
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94 Getting Public on Board 6 Months Prior to Vote Involve key
opinion leaders on budget committee Do not spend public funds
promoting budget passage Just communicate facts
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95 Getting Public on Board 3 Months Prior To Vote Prepare
budget Prepare voting process Organize PR Committee Communicate
with local opinion leaders
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96 Getting Public on Board 2 Months Prior To Vote Prepare
informational materials Obtain voter registration lists Dialogue
with opinion leaders Recruit Get Out The Vote volunteers
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97 Getting Public on Board 5 Weeks Prior to Vote Begin
community presentations Meet with media Assign volunteers in Get
Out Vote drive Prepare yard signs & flyers
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98 Getting Public on Board 4 Weeks Prior To Vote Include Vote
on School Budget in business advertisements Write & tape radio
spots Design & schedule newspaper announcements
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99 Getting Public on Board 3 Weeks Prior To Vote Organize key
opinion leader breakfasts School leaders & volunteers meet:
Church leaders & PTA Chamber of Commerce & Rotary Select
Board & others
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100 Getting Public on Board 2 Weeks Prior To Vote Compile
telephone surveys Direct mailings to clergy Information posters in
stores
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101 Getting Public on Board 2 Weeks Prior to Vote Target
distribution of sample ballots Post Vote on School Budget signs
Telephone voters
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102 Getting Public on Board 1 Week Prior To Vote Newspaper
announcements (no public funds) Mail newsletter (just facts) Radio
& Cable TV interviews Post yard & other signs
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103 Getting Public on Board Night Before Vote Reminder to Vote
phone calls Review Transportation To Polls logistics
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104 Getting the Right Message to the Media
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105 7 Media Essentials Develop relationships with reporters
Know Rules of Engagement On & off the record Background info
Frame the message - keep it simple & precise
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106 7 Media Essentials Understand reporters limitations tight
deadlines Know your audience catch interest with your message
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107 7 Media Essentials Provide backup print materials help
reporter understand issue Always be truthful
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Download A Copy Of This Power Point Presentation At:
www.vtvsba.org (downloads page)