ThumbTACs
January 24, 2011 meeting notes
BVSD Teachers Advisory Council
From David Stewart, TAC Chair
Late Start/Early Release
Sandy Ripplinger said schools would not lose instructional time. As day-to-day schedules were being looked at, we noticed discrepancies between the lengths of the day for schools, especially the elementary schools. Some schools were not counting their minutes consistently in regard to recess and lunch, etc. We want to have a six-hour and ten-minute instructional day at the elementary level and a six-hour and thirty-minute day at the middle level.
TAC asked if schools were asked to go along with what feeder middle schools would be doing. Ripplinger said the secondary model is much more of a late start. We are not directing that. She said it is up to schools to decide what to do with the kids. Ripplinger said all principals have enough information now so they should be getting ahead of this process. TAC asked if the hours spent in collaboration time were considered to be PD time. Ripplinger said PLC time is considered to be an excellent way to conduct professional development. TAC said it does appear that the time has to come out of somewhere whether it is instructional time or planning time. TAC feels we may have to reopen this discussion at a later time. Minutes come from somewhere if you are shifting the day.
What is the Feedback Mechanism for District-Driven Initiatives?
Dr. Miller-Brown said we could easily develop a formal way to distribute information. She asked what TAC would like to see. Dr. Miller-Brown said we have an Equity Administrator at each school. Every initiative has a contact and they are listed on the website. A handout stated that, “Feedback for district-driven initiatives that are not mandated by the federal or state governments is taken through the superintendent’s blog, email, or annual surveys. For example, the Equity Department initiatives are posted on the Learning in BVSD website.” TAC asked if a blog could, for example, be more open. Dr. King said there are other vehicles and mechanisms. Routinely we survey and hold forums. Andrew Moore is doing some creative things with IT. Becky McClure said we have done some question-and-answer type of things on the website if there is a topic of high interest. Dr. King said we generate a list of the things we have now. TAC said it can feel that as soon as you think you know what you are doing, it changes. TAC said we want to know which things are district, state, or nationally mandated. Dr. Miller-Brown said she is hearing we could do a question of the day and we could offer suggestions for questions. Dr. Miller-Brown asked people to email her with their concerns.
Calendar
Dr. Miller-Brown said our Planning and Assessment Director knows about surveys. We surveyed 15,686 people and we got 750 comments back from the parents/guardians. Comments were organized into themes. Community meetings regarding the calendar were held. A few years ago, the Board adopted as one of its foundational principles that the first semester would end before winter break. So, the semester has to start earlier in August. The calendar was discussed at 28 schools and feedback from staff was solicited. We took this feedback and processed it. TAC asked how we encourage all principals to get feedback from staff. Ripplinger said they went to four different high schools to get feedback from parents regarding the calendar. Our goal is how we can reach more people. TAC said it is a concern that not all teachers had a chance to respond to the survey.
Dr. Miller-Brown said this year we listed our foundational principles regarding the calendar. The Board adopted the principles and they adopted the calendar. One principle was to have the semester end before winter break and the other one was to have spring break line up with CU. Ripplinger said, anecdotally, students on the committee appreciate the semester ending before winter break. Dr. King said the calendar is a technical situation.
3A Money and Banking FTE
Dr. King said we have never allowed FTE to roll over from one year to the next. Philosophically, with 3A, we are pushing it out now it because there were cuts made this school year that we want restored. The good news is there will be more FTE coming out to you next year for the cuts. The money really is for this year. Secondly, this is one-time money—a bump of money. When you hire people with one-time money it dries up or goes away. There is an expectation piece when you hire staff with money that goes away. The value of FTE changes from one year to the next. Also, with the FTE for this year, it is based on a 79-day contract year. So, the value is different than FTE will be for next year.
For this year, the money can be carried over as cash. Dr. King said carryover money is very problematic. Anytime we have a big pot of money carried over, everyone is asking why. Dr. King recommended we do some cool things for our schools, because it will never happen again. TAC recommended that we add as much clarity as possible in regard to budget issues.
Middle Level Task Force
Where is it or what is going on with it? Becky McClure referenced a handout dated 12/18/07 which was a final report of the task force. Dr. King said the most recent mill levy override was about restoring cuts, paying a 1 percent raise and a push for early childhood. Beyond that, there are no new programs in the override. TAC feels that middle schools “continue to limp along.” TAC discussed how middle level students need a great deal of support. Becky McClure said we can’t keep funding what we’re funding and have money for this, too. Dr. King said he doesn’t have a $4 million fix and we have to live with it.
McClure said if you are really trying to have more planning time, some of this may be able to be accomplished during the collaboration time. Dr. King said it would require the amount that the 1 percent raise with steps will cost to accomplish recommendations from the task force at the middle school level.