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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
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
4	Cost Drivers Local and Total Spending Negotiated Contract Employee Benefits Purchased Services Student/Teacher Ratios Increased Staffing Levels
5	75% of Budget is Fixed by the Negotiated Contract Options for Substantial Cost Reduction: Eliminate Programs Increase Student/Teacher Ratio
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
7	What’s 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
8	What’s New… Changes to equalized pupils Secondary weight reduced to 1.13% Shorter ADM – Final count Dec. 15 Considering fall and spring ADM census
9	Financial Effort % wealth that a state allocates to education $12,337 in 2008 has the same "purchase power" as $10,000 in 2000.
10	Ed Spending – CPI – GDP (revised slide)
11	School Spending Patterns Change (2007 VT Annual Personal Income Growth 4.7%)
12	Education Fact Sheet
13	Annual Health Insurance Increases
14	Annual Special Education Increases (K-12 Service Plans)
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18	Vermont Business Roundtable
19	Web Finance Resources Vermont Business Roundtable http://www.vtroundtable.org/ Voices for Vermont's Children http://www.voicesforvermontschildren. org/main.php/sid/7
20	Education Funding Bill Talbott Chief Financial Officer Vermont Department of Education
21	Equalized Pupil Weights
22	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
27	Non-resident Tax Rate CLA impact same as homestead tax rate Fund raising doesn’t help any more – No financial advantage for benefactor
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
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
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
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%
32	Effect of CLA on Tax Rates
33	Under Act 130 Homestead tax collected by town Union and member districts each have own tax rates (don’t avg. rates) Districts determine ed. spending per pupil Based on grade range of district Prek -12, K-6, 7- 12, 9-12, etc.
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 Town’s homestead tax rate – weighted average of district tax rates
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
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
37	Setting Homestead Tax Rates Education Spending ÷ district’s equalized pupil count = average per pupil spending Example: Ed Spending =$2,858,700 Eq. Pupil Count = 300 $2,858,700 ÷ 300 = $9,529
38	Equalized Homestead Tax Rates
39	Tax Rates on the Tax Bill Equalized Tax rates are then divided by the town’s Common Level of Appraisal Per pupil spending = $9,529 Equalized rate = $1.24 CLA = 80% Tax rate on bill = 1.24 ÷ 80% = $1.55
40	Education Spending for State
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42	Tax Rates & Tax Amounts
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44	"Town Rebates and Prebates" Town Rebates and Prebates http://www.state.vt.us/tax/pdf.word.excel/statistics/2004/prebate_town.pdf
45	The Final Stage: Presenting and Passing Your School District Budget Brenda Fleming Business Manager Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union
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
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
48	Respect Your Audience What are the income levels? Compare community, state, and national incomes. What are the community education levels?
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!
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 Don’t use public funds to advocate; only to inform!
51	Trust & Positive Communications Be Prepared! It’s 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
52	Trust & Positive Communications Don’t wait for voters to ask tough questions Often become antagonistic Begin fueling mistrust May result in loss of Board control
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
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
55	Major Budget Factors/Hot Topics Health Insurance Be prepared to answer: “How much do the Teacher’s pay? “Why is it so little?” Explain cooperative buying programs (VSBIT) Provide other district info Compare to professional industries
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
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
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
59	Presenting vs. Defending Speak with Confidence Be: Consistent Concise Clear (If you don’t know an answer, DON’T make it up!) Respectful
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
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
62	Presenting vs. Defending DON’T 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 can’t..We tried..”
63	Budget Passage Communication and Engagement Strategies Bob Noyed President National School Public Relations Association
64	Effective Communication Strategies Develop a plan Create effective media relations Involve key opinion leaders Explain reasons for decisions Create key messages
65	Effective Communication Strategies Make communication everyone’s job Share bad news and move on Step around media and gatekeepers Share information with school staff
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
67	Types of Communication Processes No plan Event or issue based Crisis based Regular and ongoing Strategic and integrated
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?
69	Creating an Effective Strategy Plan with the end in mind Outline key messages Identify obstacles Establish best tactics to reach goal Assess effectiveness
70	Getting Through Communication Clutter Establish strategies that don’t add to clutter Focus on participation rather than activities School not on most “radar screens” Develop key messages Use emotional stories not boring facts
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
72	Necessity for Internal Communication Provides foundation for communication program Creates communication culture Emphasizes role of staff as ambassadors Encourages staff to deliver messages
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)
74	Communicating Complex Issues Time – Community can’t understand immediately Repetition - Need many exposures and reminders Layering – Break issue down into smaller pieces and layers
75	Moving from Communication to Engagement Deliberate With Community Conversat. Talk With Find Common Ground Bottom Up Understand Different Views Build Networks Responsibility Communicate Public Hearing Talk To Protect Turf Top Down Influence Like-Minded Establish Hierarchy Authority
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
77	Final Thoughts Start early – Begin planning next year’s budget presentation tomorrow Don’t just share numbers – tell stories about how spending helps kids Communicate the value, not just the cost Engage citizens in the process
78	"Link the budget to" Link the budget to measurable goals as well as student and school accomplishments!
79	What Do Voters Get for Their Tax Dollars Show Me the Goods!
80	Action Plan Student performance data Target areas needing improvement Professional development New curriculum
81	Tracking Student Performance Assessment scores Graduation rates Achievement of students with special needs Higher education/post secondary enrollment
82	Tracking Student Performance Salary levels for graduates Awards & recognition received Scholarships received Participation in AP courses
83	Other Student Performance Indicators Community service & co-curricular activities Graduate & parent satisfaction surveys Attendance/drop out rates
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/comparison_data.html State School Report Data http://crs.uvm.edu/schlrpt/ Comparative School Data http://www.state.vt.us/educ/new/html/maindata.html
93	"Passing Your School Budget or..." Passing Your School Budget or Bond Vote
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
95	Getting Public on Board 3 Months Prior To Vote Prepare budget Prepare voting process Organize PR Committee Communicate with local opinion leaders
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
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
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
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
100	Getting Public on Board 2 Weeks Prior To Vote Compile telephone surveys Direct mailings to clergy Information posters in stores
101	Getting Public on Board 2 Weeks Prior to Vote Target distribution of sample ballots Post “Vote on School Budget” signs Telephone voters
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
103	Getting Public on Board Night Before Vote “Reminder to Vote” phone calls Review “Transportation To Polls” logistics
104	"Getting the Right Message to..." Getting the Right Message to the Media
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
106	7 Media Essentials Understand reporters’ limitations tight deadlines Know your audience catch interest with your message
107	7 Media Essentials Provide backup print materials help reporter understand issue Always be truthful
108	Download A Copy Of This Power Point Presentation At: www.vtvsba.org (downloads page)