Incredibly sad to hear of Fairbanks leaders unwilling to at least attempt to properly fund education! On the other hand it sounds like an increase in the BSA of at least $500 is likely to come out of the legislature. FNSBSD’s adjusted ADM is in the neighborhood of 25,000 which would result in roughly $12.5 million in additional state funding. It remains to be seen whether that BSA increase will be permanent or “one time.”
Thanks for your comment, Harriet! Fingers crossed on that one for me: while I'd like to be optimistic, I still see some hurdles on the state side.
That would make up the difference of the local contribution ask (plus a little bit) but it would still give very little breathing room.
I'd say that we really need both a long-term BSA increase (and ideally a formula) along with a better local contribution, but that's all looking like a big ask this year.
Hello Kuba - I think its misinformed to say the borough leaders do not support local education just because they are reluctant to fund it at a higher level each year. The biggest factor driving the education funding is school enrollment, which has been falling for a number of years and will continue to fall. The response from District leaders needs to focus on raising revenue and cutting costs rather than the easy (lazy, even) ask for exactly what came before plus inflation.
Raising Revenue: Recapture market share from the homeschools that enrolled hundreds of our students during the pandemic, many of whom never came back to us. The established homeschools were able to ramp up quickly because the model, systems and infrastructure were there and they could add teachers fast to increase capacity. Yukon Koyukuk School district's Raven homeschool (one of the best, if not the best, homeschools in the State) went from 1,689 students as of October 1, 2018 r to 2,707 as of October 1, 2022. Not all of Raven's gain was from FNSBSD students, of course. But given, in my opinion, the District's timorous outreach and lackluster program offerings, the other homeschools ate our lunch. And continue to do so at a cost of about $4,500 per student from the State plus the local contribution.
Have a Fiscal Plan That Balances Income to Expenditures And Maintains Excellence: Easy to say but here's some ideas that can do just that. (Cue howls of rage) . **Outsource (contract) many of the arts programs to local arts organizations, using our schools' classrooms, theaters and art rooms. Average teacher plus benefits $145,000 per year for 6 periods a day; I think local arts people/organizations would be willing to do the arts for this amount. Plus we don't need to lose 10 days a year to professional development, or non-teaching time at the end of every semester for teachers to get in their grades, plus 3 days personal leave, plus sick days, etc, you get the gist. And plus plus you get specialists with expertise beyond what we offer now -more content, more expert content, more choice, etc. **Move to a 7 period day at the high school, meaning less teachers needed while all course offerings maintained. **Move to a trimester system at the high school of three semesters with five courses each, which allows for a possible total of 15 credits a student can earn vs. the 12 now. **Capture expensive teacher instructional time that is lost to such things as end-of-quarter/end-of-semester exams, where students who have no exams that day are not required to attend classes. **Increase the number of competitive grants awarded to the district to fund new programs and initiatives. The District's track record on competitive grants is pathetic when compared to other urban Districts, such as Anchorage.
OK, Kuba, there you have another take on school funding with some concrete ideas for the School Board and top administrators to work on. Mayor Ward and most of the assembly support our schools and want to give more. But it would be nice if they demonstrated to the Mayor and others what efforts the District is making to reduce costs at the same time they preserve programs. Can be done. Doug Crevensten
Doug, and any others with ideas: the School Board would like to hear them! You can email the whole Board by sending your thoughts to schoolboard@k12northstar.org. It'll go to every member!
Thanks for your comment, Doug! I appreciate you weighing in, and I'll pass your suggestions on to some friends on our school board. You put a lot of time into sharing your thoughts, which I appreciate. I especially like the idea of increasing competitiveness around grants.
I will say that's it's tough for me to see a clear path forward for the district to further cut costs: definitely some good examples above, but I can see a pattern of saving dollars by further increasing expectations on educators, or somewhat increasing their hours (an extra month of work potentially under a trimester system, or a whole other unit of teaching). It's already difficult to entice eductors to work here, and adding something like a a 7th period of instruction to their plate for high schools or having a longer school year can be a big ask. The districts and unions have already been at an impasse, and the current budget request to the Assembly does not factor in any additional salary increases.
Many nonprofits in town are also struggling: while they might be able to offer up some art classes and other resources for less than the cost of full time teacher, I'm less sure about their capacity: I would love to be wrong about that, but I see a lot of potential hurdles.
My partner used to work at Fairbanks Arts and Artists in the Schools is a successful program... but to ramp that up to scale would, I think, take years.
I do think that most in the administration and Assembly see the real benefits of a strong public education system, and of course everyone wants what's best for our community. It's fair to also assume that comes with some sort of obligation of effeciency.
But, I'd say we're already past that point. With so little left to cut, funding is almost directly tied to student-teacher ratios, which is almost directly tied to student performance itself. It's hard to improve if funding stagnates or decreases (in real terms) year to year.
There's no fat left to trim, I think, and I'm not sure that asking for better and providing less is fair or effective.
But, I do appreciate your out-of-the-box thinking! Especially if the district wants to win back those in the homeschool program.
Thanks again for your comment, and appreciate the discussion
Hi Kuba - RE: "With so little left to cut, funding is almost directly tied to student-teacher ratios, which is almost directly tied to student performance itself. " Some comments...**Funding is not tied to student-teacher ratios. Funding comes the State via a base student allocation then some additional for Special Education students and, I believe, vocational (tech ed) students because they are more expensive to educate. The Boroughs are allowed to kick in additional funds -I believe FNSB does 24%- but there are caps on the local contribution due to possible disparity with the communities that are not in boroughs and thus cannot do a local contribution because they have no taxing powers. (Disparity limits are not complicated but the reasons for them are deep. Another time.)**The relationship between lower student teacher-ratio and higher performance is not direct. Doesn't seem to make a difference unless the class size is below 12 (gains) or above 32 or so (decreases). What does make a difference in student performance per research is, among other things, teacher effectiveness (duh), a personal connection between student(s)/teacher (not guaranteed if you have more or fewer students; its a teacher's empathetic personality), students clearly knowing what they are to learn and how their lesson ties into that, scaffolding, directed reteaching based on clear identification of student skill deficiency, and academic time on task, etc. **On other matters: Its not hard to get teachers to work here. Hundreds of bush teachers want in; scores of military wives want in; the many career after kids education students at UAF want our jobs. Maybe SPED shortages, but that's across the nation. We hear these anecdotal stories of how hard it is to get teachers but its more, I think, of Principals wanting superstars when stars will do just fine, and three applicants for a job where they want ten to choose from. Teaching is an excellent employment environment and will be totally desirable at present pay, benefits and working conditions for years to come. ***We pay teachers to teach. If we need to maximize the time they teach, within allowable bounds of the negotiated agreement, we should. Save money, more student contact time, more student learning options. This can include 7 period days and a trimester schedule. ***Never have said I want a longer school year. Teaching is intense and teachers need the down time. ***My comments have centered on increasing revenue for schools, reducing costs and preserving/expanding academic and enrichment programs. Because, as I've said before, all the decision-makers hear is the ask for more money. Would be nice for the District, teachers and some powerful parents to present somer ideas on "increasing revenue for schools, reducing costs and preserving/expanding academic and enrichment programs". Might take a year to come up with the ideas, but what a welcome change to being right where we are this year, next year. Doug Crevensten
Incredibly sad to hear of Fairbanks leaders unwilling to at least attempt to properly fund education! On the other hand it sounds like an increase in the BSA of at least $500 is likely to come out of the legislature. FNSBSD’s adjusted ADM is in the neighborhood of 25,000 which would result in roughly $12.5 million in additional state funding. It remains to be seen whether that BSA increase will be permanent or “one time.”
And thanks for your service!
You’re most welcome! This just got published in the ADN. Maybe it will help push the legislature in the right direction.
OPINION: A state sales tax in Alaska may be unconstitutional
https://www.adn.com/opinions/2023/04/27/opinion-a-state-sales-tax-in-alaska-may-be-unconstitutional/
Thanks for your comment, Harriet! Fingers crossed on that one for me: while I'd like to be optimistic, I still see some hurdles on the state side.
That would make up the difference of the local contribution ask (plus a little bit) but it would still give very little breathing room.
I'd say that we really need both a long-term BSA increase (and ideally a formula) along with a better local contribution, but that's all looking like a big ask this year.
Hello Kuba - I think its misinformed to say the borough leaders do not support local education just because they are reluctant to fund it at a higher level each year. The biggest factor driving the education funding is school enrollment, which has been falling for a number of years and will continue to fall. The response from District leaders needs to focus on raising revenue and cutting costs rather than the easy (lazy, even) ask for exactly what came before plus inflation.
Raising Revenue: Recapture market share from the homeschools that enrolled hundreds of our students during the pandemic, many of whom never came back to us. The established homeschools were able to ramp up quickly because the model, systems and infrastructure were there and they could add teachers fast to increase capacity. Yukon Koyukuk School district's Raven homeschool (one of the best, if not the best, homeschools in the State) went from 1,689 students as of October 1, 2018 r to 2,707 as of October 1, 2022. Not all of Raven's gain was from FNSBSD students, of course. But given, in my opinion, the District's timorous outreach and lackluster program offerings, the other homeschools ate our lunch. And continue to do so at a cost of about $4,500 per student from the State plus the local contribution.
Have a Fiscal Plan That Balances Income to Expenditures And Maintains Excellence: Easy to say but here's some ideas that can do just that. (Cue howls of rage) . **Outsource (contract) many of the arts programs to local arts organizations, using our schools' classrooms, theaters and art rooms. Average teacher plus benefits $145,000 per year for 6 periods a day; I think local arts people/organizations would be willing to do the arts for this amount. Plus we don't need to lose 10 days a year to professional development, or non-teaching time at the end of every semester for teachers to get in their grades, plus 3 days personal leave, plus sick days, etc, you get the gist. And plus plus you get specialists with expertise beyond what we offer now -more content, more expert content, more choice, etc. **Move to a 7 period day at the high school, meaning less teachers needed while all course offerings maintained. **Move to a trimester system at the high school of three semesters with five courses each, which allows for a possible total of 15 credits a student can earn vs. the 12 now. **Capture expensive teacher instructional time that is lost to such things as end-of-quarter/end-of-semester exams, where students who have no exams that day are not required to attend classes. **Increase the number of competitive grants awarded to the district to fund new programs and initiatives. The District's track record on competitive grants is pathetic when compared to other urban Districts, such as Anchorage.
OK, Kuba, there you have another take on school funding with some concrete ideas for the School Board and top administrators to work on. Mayor Ward and most of the assembly support our schools and want to give more. But it would be nice if they demonstrated to the Mayor and others what efforts the District is making to reduce costs at the same time they preserve programs. Can be done. Doug Crevensten
And, planning on exploring your suggestions a little more in the near future... next week
Doug, and any others with ideas: the School Board would like to hear them! You can email the whole Board by sending your thoughts to schoolboard@k12northstar.org. It'll go to every member!
Thanks for your comment, Doug! I appreciate you weighing in, and I'll pass your suggestions on to some friends on our school board. You put a lot of time into sharing your thoughts, which I appreciate. I especially like the idea of increasing competitiveness around grants.
I will say that's it's tough for me to see a clear path forward for the district to further cut costs: definitely some good examples above, but I can see a pattern of saving dollars by further increasing expectations on educators, or somewhat increasing their hours (an extra month of work potentially under a trimester system, or a whole other unit of teaching). It's already difficult to entice eductors to work here, and adding something like a a 7th period of instruction to their plate for high schools or having a longer school year can be a big ask. The districts and unions have already been at an impasse, and the current budget request to the Assembly does not factor in any additional salary increases.
Many nonprofits in town are also struggling: while they might be able to offer up some art classes and other resources for less than the cost of full time teacher, I'm less sure about their capacity: I would love to be wrong about that, but I see a lot of potential hurdles.
My partner used to work at Fairbanks Arts and Artists in the Schools is a successful program... but to ramp that up to scale would, I think, take years.
I do think that most in the administration and Assembly see the real benefits of a strong public education system, and of course everyone wants what's best for our community. It's fair to also assume that comes with some sort of obligation of effeciency.
But, I'd say we're already past that point. With so little left to cut, funding is almost directly tied to student-teacher ratios, which is almost directly tied to student performance itself. It's hard to improve if funding stagnates or decreases (in real terms) year to year.
There's no fat left to trim, I think, and I'm not sure that asking for better and providing less is fair or effective.
But, I do appreciate your out-of-the-box thinking! Especially if the district wants to win back those in the homeschool program.
Thanks again for your comment, and appreciate the discussion
Kuba
Hi Kuba - RE: "With so little left to cut, funding is almost directly tied to student-teacher ratios, which is almost directly tied to student performance itself. " Some comments...**Funding is not tied to student-teacher ratios. Funding comes the State via a base student allocation then some additional for Special Education students and, I believe, vocational (tech ed) students because they are more expensive to educate. The Boroughs are allowed to kick in additional funds -I believe FNSB does 24%- but there are caps on the local contribution due to possible disparity with the communities that are not in boroughs and thus cannot do a local contribution because they have no taxing powers. (Disparity limits are not complicated but the reasons for them are deep. Another time.)**The relationship between lower student teacher-ratio and higher performance is not direct. Doesn't seem to make a difference unless the class size is below 12 (gains) or above 32 or so (decreases). What does make a difference in student performance per research is, among other things, teacher effectiveness (duh), a personal connection between student(s)/teacher (not guaranteed if you have more or fewer students; its a teacher's empathetic personality), students clearly knowing what they are to learn and how their lesson ties into that, scaffolding, directed reteaching based on clear identification of student skill deficiency, and academic time on task, etc. **On other matters: Its not hard to get teachers to work here. Hundreds of bush teachers want in; scores of military wives want in; the many career after kids education students at UAF want our jobs. Maybe SPED shortages, but that's across the nation. We hear these anecdotal stories of how hard it is to get teachers but its more, I think, of Principals wanting superstars when stars will do just fine, and three applicants for a job where they want ten to choose from. Teaching is an excellent employment environment and will be totally desirable at present pay, benefits and working conditions for years to come. ***We pay teachers to teach. If we need to maximize the time they teach, within allowable bounds of the negotiated agreement, we should. Save money, more student contact time, more student learning options. This can include 7 period days and a trimester schedule. ***Never have said I want a longer school year. Teaching is intense and teachers need the down time. ***My comments have centered on increasing revenue for schools, reducing costs and preserving/expanding academic and enrichment programs. Because, as I've said before, all the decision-makers hear is the ask for more money. Would be nice for the District, teachers and some powerful parents to present somer ideas on "increasing revenue for schools, reducing costs and preserving/expanding academic and enrichment programs". Might take a year to come up with the ideas, but what a welcome change to being right where we are this year, next year. Doug Crevensten