Spackenkill Union Free School District

2019-2020 Budget Information Packet

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March 2019

Inspired by a tradition of excellence and a spirit of continuous improvement,

the Spackenkill School District will provide all of our students

with the academic and social skills necessary to pursue their goals

and become responsible citizens in an interdependent global community.

Table of Contents

Instructional Highlights………………………………………………………………………………………4 Niche Rating…………………………………………………………………………………………………5

Suspension Rate…………….………………………………………………………..….….………………..6 Graduation Rate ……………………………………………………………………….…………………….7

Attendance Rate…………………………………………………………………….…………......................8 Strategic Planning………………………………………………………….………………………………...9

Enrollment………….……………………………………………………………………………………….10

Enrollment Compared to NYS……………………………………………………………………………...11 Free or Reduced Lunch……………………….……………………………………………………………..12

Combined Wealth Ratio………….………………………………………………………………………….13 Continuum of Educational & Fiscal Insolvency………………………………………………………….....14 Special Education Information…….………………………………….……………………………………..15

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Instructional Program/Class Sizes…………………………………………………………………………..20 Student to Program Administrative Ratio…………………………………………………………………...28

Course Offerings at Spackenkill High School ……………………………………………………………...29 Professional Development…………………………………………………………………………………..30

Professional Development Outcomes………………………………………………………………………31 Shift in PD Delivery Model .……………………………………………………………………………….32

District Professional Development Offerings………………………………………………………………33

Budget-Related Information……..…………………………………………………………………….……37 Student Information…………………………………………………………………………………………43

Policies that Establish or Incur Costs ……………………………………………………….……………..44 Past Budget Reductions/Savings………………………………………………………………………….....47

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Instructional Highlights: National Blue Ribbon Designation

Spackenkill High School in the Spackenkill Union Free School District has been recognized as an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School for 2018 by U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Nationally, 349 schools received this honor in 2018. Of that number 62 are high schools. Spackenkill High School is one of only 13 2018 National Blue Ribbon High Schools in New York State and the fourth school in Dutchess County history to receive this honor in the 36 years of the program’s existence. Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has sought out and celebrated great American schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. High School Principal Steve Malkischer and math teacher Eleanor Pupko, along with district Superintendent Dr. Mark Villanti, will attend a recognition ceremony in Washington, DC, on November 7 and 8. The school will be presented with a National Blue Ribbon School plaque and flag as symbols of its achievements. To read Spackenkill High School’s profile on the National Blue ribbon site, go to https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov/awardwinners/winning/18ny115pu_spackenkill_high_school.html

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Niche Rating, # 13 School District in Upstate NY

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Overall District Suspension Rate

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Overall District Graduation Rate

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Student Overall Attendance Rate for Spackenkill

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Comments: The strategic plan has 5 pillars, however, during the last two years we are focusing on three legs of the plan as evidenced

by the diagram above. This model is a summary document that provides awareness across the district and has presented many times at

public meeting. It has been developed in consultation with the district leadership team and the Board of Education.

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Enrollment

Comment: The district, like most upstate school districts, experienced significant enrollment declines. For this and other reasons

approximately 21 positions were cut over a three-year period four years ago. There is a trend, albeit only two years, to suggest that

enrollment may be reaching a new normal of between 115 – 125 students per grade level. The district established an out-of-district

tuition policy with the goal of reaching 30-35 students across grades, K -12. We are a little less than half way towards achieving this

goal.

Public School Enrollment Rate compared to NYS (shows the percentage of students that do not leave to private schools)

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Comment: This chart suggests that the district’s residences choice is to have children remain enrolled in the district schools vs.

private schools.

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Percentage of Students on Free or Reduced lunch compared to NYS

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Comment: The number of students on free or reduced lunch living at the federal poverty level, while below state averages, has been

increasing in recent years.

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Combined Wealth Ratio

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NYS Comptroller’s Assessment of Spackenkill for 2018

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Special Education Information

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Instructional Program

Selected Samples of Class Sizes

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Comment: The selected class size average indicates that compared to NYS averages, overall we are at or below average class sizes.

The district prides itself on the quality of personal relationships between students and staff and the benefits of a smaller school

environment.

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Student to Program Administrative Ratio:

Comment: Unlike student-teacher ratios the administrative to program ratio is very high. This means that Spackenkill despite its

small size makes due with fewer administrators than almost all NYS districts. This budget has an increase in the Orville Todd Middle

School of a .5 FTE.

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Course Offerings at Spackenkill High School

SHS Course Directory 2018-19

SHS Course Directory 2019-20

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Professional Development

The district has shifted the model of delivery of professional development based on a research-based model of what is effective

(please see below).

Based on research effectiveness we have shifted our paradigm of professional development to create a learning community

where significant district initiatives require in-house consultants with practice and work over time. This initiative under the

guidance of our Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum includes:

➢ Literacy initiatives with Mike Clarke on adapting the writer’s workshop model for grades 2 – 6;

➢ Tech Fellows Program in its third year. Partnership with Dover Schools has resulted in the development of a train the

trainer model and included 30 tech fellows, K – 12;

➢ Guided reading initiative with Aussie trainers include classroom coaching and support;

➢ Middle school science alignment to the new science standards has been worked on over the past two years;

➢ Implementing the New York State Next Generation standards in math and literacy at all grade-levels;

➢ Regularly scheduled meetings with district curriculum coordinators to assess and monitor the progress of the

instructional play by curriculum areas. We also continue to provide summer curriculum writing initiatives based on

district strategic plan goals and emerging needs.

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District Professional Development Offerings 2018-2019 as of March 1, 2019

July

Technology Fellowship Summer Institute in Collaboration with the Dover School 7/9

BLC 2018 Education Conference – November Learning Boston Conference 7/25

August

Teacher Evaluation & Supervision, Best Practice with Kim Marshall 8/1

Grade 3 Reading Workshop 8/6

Summer Institute on the Teaching of Reading 8/6

School Nurse Orientation 8/13

New Teacher Orientation 8/29

September

Nassau Safety/Playground 9/4

Fountas & Pinnell Refresher Course 9/5

Nassau Fellow Technology Training/Google Classroom 9/5

Nassau Fellow Technology Training/Hyperdocs for Primary 9/5

Nassau Fellow Technology Training/Remind App 9/5

Nassau Monitor & Aide Training 9/5

Website Workshop 9/11

FBA/BIP training for Social Workers & Psychologists 9/12

Hagan MAPS Teacher/TA Proctor Training 9/18

Narcan Training 9/18

News Media Literacy: Fighting Fake News by Seeking & Finding the Truth 9/27

Nassau Monitor/Teacher Assistant/Aide Training 9/28

October

NYSCATE/SUNY Smart Schools Summit: Digital Literacy Practices: Teaching & Learning

In Today’s P-20 Classroom 10/9

IEP Direct Chairperson Training with Dr. Mulford 10/10

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Hagan Teachers Tech Workshop – Google Classroom 10/12

Hagan Office Google Training 10/12

Special Education Goals Training with Brian Orzell 10/12

AIS/RTI Training 10/16

Children’s Books: Thinking Deeply & Critically about Social Issues 10/18

Science Curriculum Writing with Elizabeth Mirra 10/22

Nassau DASA Training 10/24

FBA/BIP Training 10/24

Nassau Teacher’s Tech/Google Classroom 10/25

November

Aimsweb Plus Training 11/1

Refresher for Non-Violent Restraint Training 11/1

Dealing with Difficult Behaviors for TA’s 11/6

Supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder for TA’s 11/6

AVID Showcase @ FDR 11/7

CPR/AED Heartsaver Adult & Child 11/8

Hagan Teacher’s Tech Workshop – Google Forms for Assessment Part 1 11/9

Bringing the Hour of Code to your Classroom 11/13

Nassau Teacher’s Tech Workshop – Google Sites Website Workshop 11/15

Hagan Teachers Tech Workshop – Google Forms for Assessment Part 2 11/16

CRASE – Civilian Response to Active Shooter Training 11/28

Special Education Goals Training with Brian Orzell 11/29

Powerful, Practical Strategies for Reaching “I Don’t Care!” & Underperforming Students

to increase Their School Success 11/30

December

SLP Tool Kit 12/6

Social Studies Department Training – New Global Regents 12/11

Business Writing for Results 12/12

Practical Strategies for Improving Behavior of Attention-Seeking, Manipulative &

Challenging Students 12/12

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Hagan Teachers Tech Workshop – Google Sites 12/14

Nassau Teacher’s Tech/Kahoot 12/20

January

Hagan Teachers’ Tech Workshop – Google Forms 1/11

Nassau Fountas & Pinnell Training 1/15

Student Threat Assessment to Prevent Violence: An Evidence Based Approach 1/16

Nassau Teachers’ Tech/Google Sites 1/17

Podcasting & Digital Storytelling: Powerful Literacies for New Times 1/17

Hagan Teachers’ Tech Workshop – Google Slides 1/18

Hagan Teachers’ Tech Workshop – Hyperdocs 1/25

Nassau Reading Professional Development/Kindergarten 1/25

OPWDD 1/25

Google Sites for Secondary Teacher’s 1/29

Teacher’s Tech/Google Slides 1/31

Nassau GLSEN Professional Development 1/31

February

Nassau Reading Professional Development/First Grade 2/1

Training with Marcella – District Office Staff 2/5

Promoting Success & Independence in Individuals with Mild to Moderate ASD Part 1 2/6

Promoting Success & Independence in Individuals with Mild to Moderate ASD Part 2 2/6

IEP Direct Training for Todd 2/7

IEP Direct Training for Nassau/Hagan 2/7

Hagan Teachers Tech Workshop – Google Calendar 2/8

Nassau Reading Professional Development/Second Grade 2/8

Google Classroom for Secondary Teacher’s 2/12

Readworks for Secondary Teachers 2/19

CPR/AED Heartsaver Adult & Chile 2/20

New Diverse Books & How to Use Them 2/21

Hagan Teachers’ Tech Workshop – Readworks 2/22

Front Desk Safety & Security 2/25

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Nassau Teacher’s Tech Workshop/Google Docs 2/28

CPR/AED Heartsaver Adult & Child 2/18

March

Google Sites for Secondary Teacher’s 3/5

Hagan Teachers’ Tech Workshop – Kahoot 3/8

BLS CPR/AED for Nurses 3/13

Hagan Teachers’ Tech Workshop – EdPuzzle 3/15

Hagan Grade 5 CBT Training 3/18

Hagan Grade 4 CBT Training 3/18

Hagan Grade 3 CBT Training 3/18

Motivating the Unmotivated: Practical Strategies for Teaching the Hard-to-Reach Student 3/19

Hyperdocs for Secondary Teachers 3/19

Hagan TA CBT Training 3/20

Hagan Related Services CBT Training 3/20

Nassau Teacher’s Tech Workshop/Readworks 3/21

Hyperdocs Part 2 Creation Station for Secondary Teachers 3/26

Training with Marcella for District Office Staff 3/26

Nassau Teacher’s Tech Workshop/Google Docs 3/28

Keeping Learners and Families at the Center of Our Responsive Teaching 3/18 April

Nassau Teacher’s Tech Workshop/Epic! Books 4/25 Remind App for Secondary Teachers 4/30 May

NYCATE & SUNY NYedHub P-20 Conference 5/23

Screencastify for Secondary Teacher’s 5/28

Teacher’s Tech Workshop/Library Databases 5/30

June

CPR/AED Heartsaver Adult (Coaches) 6/13

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Budget-Related Information

Tax Levy Increase History for the Last 10 Years

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Percentage of State Aid increase During Last Budget Cycle

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First Budget Vote Margin compared to Dutchess County Schools

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First Vote Budget Margin compared to NYS schools

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Combined Wealth Ratio of the district compared to NYS (CWR)

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NYS Aid percentage compared to other districts

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Student Information

Student attendance rate compared to NYS schools

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Policies that Establish or Incur Costs

2121 School Attorney Fees

Our legal firm has held their rates the same for the past seven years in recognition of the difficult economic times.

Since the 2011-2012 school year, we have been hiring our attorneys on retainer, which saves us $33 per hour on the

first 360 hours, for a potential savings of $11,880 per year. For the 2014-2015 school year, we paid $81,911 to our

firm.

2123 Professional Organization Fees

We pay membership fees for each administrator to join three organizations per year, at a cost not to exceed $2,000

per person. Any change to this policy would require that we negotiate with the administrator’s unit since it has

become a term of employment via past practice. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, we changed the policy

so as not to exceed $1,000 per person.

2124 District Shirts

This policy provides for the purchase of one shirt per year for each administrator/coach, not to exceed $50 per shirt.

The athletic department has purchased an average of five polo shirts per year over the past four years. The cost is

approximately $150 a year. Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, we changed the policy so as not to exceed $30

per shirt. We also changed the language to only allow a replacement shirt when the first one is worn out; still not

allowing more than one per year. Note: Having coaches and administrators wear Spackenkill shirts, is

somewhat like supplying uniforms and makes for easy identification of our staff at sporting events should a

problem arise.

3114.1 Special Transportation for Non-Public School Pupils by DC BOCES--$62,169

We are required by law to transport students to private schools within a 15 mile radius.

3115 Admission Prices for Athletic Events

We only charge an admission fee for varsity football and varsity boys’ basketball. The athletic department charges $2

for an adult, $1 for students and free for senior citizens. A Spackenkill staff member is paid $92.42 contractually to

work the admission gate. We do not charge at other athletic events as the cost for the chaperone could be more than we

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make in admissions. For the 2012-2013 school year and following, The Board negotiated a new category of chaperone

pay (duty of two hours) with the teachers, which provides an opportunity for savings. Additionally, the Board

negotiated that the following positions be offered to volunteers first: scorekeeper, time keeper, and shot clock operator.

This offers another opportunity for savings.

3130 Continuing Education

This policy allows us to charge non-residents $10 more than residents. A suggestion was made to increase the non-

resident fee. We did not, however, offer a continuing education program since 2010-2011, as we reduced the time of

the person who organized and supervised it.

3131 Expense Policy

This policy governs the reimbursable costs associated with attendance at conferences and workshops (ex.,

transportation, meals, parking, hotel). Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, we changed the policy to reduce

the amount we would reimburse.

3136 Meals and Refreshments

This policy identifies the reasons that the district can provide meals and refreshments at, for example, meetings or

recognition events. It also establishes the allowable costs for meals and refreshments. Beginning in the 2011-2012

school year, we changed the policy to reduce the amount we would reimburse.

4125 Use of District Cell Phones

We now have 26 district cell phones (down from 44): 4 technology employees, 7 buildings and

grounds (down from 12), 12 bus drivers, 3 in the athletics department; the annual cost was approximately $17,000 per

year before the reduction. We currently pay approximately $10,700 per year. The administrators and technology

employees use smart phones for email access and student information (home contact information, attendance,

schedules); all others have simple phones.

5114 Non-Resident Tuition Students

This policy allows teachers’ children to attend school in the district even if they are not residents. Any change to this

policy would require that we negotiate with the teachers’ unit since it has become a term of employment via past

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practice.

The most recent cost per student for Spackenkill, as published in the New York State Report card, is $24,660 and is

based on the 2010-2011 school year. The total of all school districts in New York State for the same time frame is

$20,410. Total expenditures include district expenditures for classroom instruction, as well as expenditures for

transportation, debt service, community service and district-wide administration.

The cost of $5,220 for teachers’ children to be educated in Spackenkill is based upon an estimate of additional supplies

and materials such as textbooks, workbooks and computer supplies needed as a result of the additional students. It is

based upon the per pupil aid amount for these categories as reimbursed by New York State. For example, textbook aid

is provided at a rate of $58.25 per student. We currently have 33 students attending schools here, no change from last

year.

5136 Senior Trips No cost to district

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Past Budget Reductions/Savings

● Employee Benefits - approximate savings $250,369

● 1 High School Varsity assistant Coach - approximate savings $4,424 annually

● 5 Teaching periods at Todd Middle School - approximate savings $80,000 annually

● Middle School Clerical Reorganization - $11,629 annually

● 1 Teacher Retirement - $63,830 annually

Prior Reductions/Savings

District

● Eliminated Coordinator of Technology—approximate savings $40,000 annually

● Reduced the public relations person to two days, approximate savings of $40,000 annually

● Increased employees’ contributions to health insurance from 8% to 11%, approximate cost $296,000

● Refinanced Debt Service—savings of $327, 266 over the next ten years

● Reduced building budgets by 5%, a savings of $26,845

● Reduced number of students in outside placements: $215,723

● Replaced superintendent’s secretary/BOE clerk at a $23,000 savings and the treasurer at a savings of $4,600 annually

● Enrolled in BOCES fingerprinting service—savings of $5,200 annually

● Reduced two bus runs, savings of $130,000

● Reduced professional development, savings of $25,000

● Reduced field trip expenses paid by the district, savings of $30,347

● Reduced custodial overtime by allowing coaches access to the building with swipe card rather than requiring the presence

of a custodian, a savings of $9,656

● Reduced technology budget, savings of $200,000

● Reduced mailings (Dialogue, report cards/progress reports)—savings of $9,700 annually

● Contracted with Energy Education to conserve energy at no cost to the district

● Pursued an Energy Performance Contract at no cost to the district

● Reduced .5 clerical, for a savings of $25,635

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● Eliminated itinerant nurse, for a savings of $ 32,706

● Received give-backs from teachers, for a savings of $155,000

● Received give-backs from building administrators, for a savings of $7,200

● Received give-backs from district office administrators, for a savings of $8,475

● Eliminated 1.0 district administrator through restructuring, for a savings of $81,000

● Reduced shared building maintenance, for a savings of $19,734

● Reduced .5 payroll person for a savings of $24,346

● Facilities/maintenance staffing reductions for a savings of $40,000

● Facilities supplies and equipment reduced by $75,824

● Employee benefits reduced by $312,219 (health insurance, retirement, and social security reductions, as a result of position

eliminations and health insurance plan changes)

● Special education reduced by $242,500 as a result of enrollment trends

High School

● Eliminated two greeters, for a savings of $56,715

● Eliminated the attendance monitor, for a savings of $48,990

● Did not fill positions for five HS clubs, for a savings of $5,389

● Reduced 5 sections of high school classes, for a savings of $60,000

● Custodial position at High School was kept in budget at full-time cost but filled by part-time employee, for a savings of

$43,000

● Eliminated 1 library aide, for a savings of $20,000

● Eliminated .5 clerical, for a savings of $13,600

● Eliminated the Dutchess Chamber of Commerce component of the Youth Leadership program, for a savings of $10,000

● Reduced HS assistant principal to eleven-months, for a savings of $11,123

● 1.4 High School teacher, for a savings of $102,200

● 1.0 High School Teaching Assistant (in-school suspension), for a savings of $33,750

● Eliminated the Summer Scholars Program at a savings of $13,300

● Eliminated 4 teaching sections for a savings of $61,000

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● Eliminated the MAP assessment for a savings of $3,500

Middle School

● Eliminated .5 clerical position, for a savings of $17,141

● Reduced Middle School Dean of Students position to part-time, approximately $50,000 savings annually

● Eliminated greeter, for a savings of $22,058

● Did not fill positions for five MS clubs, for a savings of $5,389

● Eliminated two teachers, for a savings of $195,079

● Reduced Dean to ten-months, for a savings of $10,765

● Reduced .5 custodian, for a savings of $26,541

● Reduced .5 office monitor, for a savings of $12,090

● Reduced 1.2 teachers, for a savings of $102,200

● Eliminated grade 8, online science course, for a savings of $14,631

● Eliminated 6 teaching sections for a savings of $91,500

● Eliminated .5 guidance counselor for a savings of $58,582

Secondary (Middle School and High School)

● Eliminated technology integrator, for a savings of $60,000

● Reduced Athletics by $88,000

● Changed to contracted model for Athletic Trainer, for a savings of $42,000

Elementary

● Eliminated 3 teachers and one teaching assistant at Hagan, approximate savings of $285,000 annually

● Reduced .5 clerical position, for a savings of $17,141

● Eliminated two greeters, for a savings of $45,700

● Eliminated .6 in music as a result of enrollment decline, for a savings of $32,157.

● Eliminated technology integrator, for a savings of $60,000

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● Eliminated four classroom teachers, for a savings of $399,058

● Eliminated one enrichment teacher, for a savings of $110,031

● Eliminated .5 librarian, for a savings of $45,016

● Eliminated .4 art teacher, for a savings of $34,039

● Reduced .5 clerical, for a savings of $13,600

● Reduced .5 elementary librarian, for a savings of $30,660

● Eliminated Summer Academy, for a savings of $20,906

● Eliminated two additional classroom teachers, for a savings of $239,000

● Eliminated 1 kindergarten teaching assistant, approximate savings of $34,500

Total reductions since July 2006: $5,458,879