Jim kowalkowski presentation to wsu supt certification program group

Small School
Districts:
Challenges &
Opportunities
Presentation to WSU
Field-Based
Superintendent's
Program
Feb. 11, 2012

…strategies that
will help you be
successful as a
leader in small &
rural districts

…strategies that will
help you be successful
as a leader in small &
rural districts in any
sized district!

Who is this guy?
• Superintendent- Davenport School District – 5 years
• Director – Rural Education Center – 9 years
• Superintendent- Pomeroy School District – 8 years
• Principal- Pomeroy Jr-Sr High School – 5 years
• Principal – Vista Middle School (Ferndale, WA) – 3 years
• Assistant Principal – Vista Middle School – 4 years

A few words about the handouts…
• Seattle Times editorial…
• JLARC report summary
on study of School
District Cost & Size
• Dr. Bill Keim’s testimony
to House Ed. Committee
• WASA Flyer
• Rural Ed. Center
Research Brief

Topics
• Unique
expectations, characteristics, and
challenges facing small and rural
districts
• Working with legislators
• Connecting with the community
• Passing bonds and levies
• Strategies for keeping your sanity while
wearing many hats!
• Helping staff deal with change

Today’s Presentation
• Show you some “on-the-ground & real”
examples…
• Please ask questions…
• I have sent this PowerPoint to Dr. Sharratt—he
will send it to you

A few words about the WSU Field-
Based Superintendent’s Certification
Program

This program will help you
become a great leader…people
will be counting on you to
prepare your school system for a
bright future for
students, staff, and your
community…

Most School Districts are Small but Large
Districts Enroll Most Students
151 small districts: 29 large districts:
Less than 1,000 More than 10,000
students each students each 53.3%
41.4%
9.8% 5.3%

Enrollment
51.2%
39.0%

53.4%
40.1%
115 medium districts: 6.5%
1,000 to 10,000
Total: 295 districts students each Expenditures
Source: JLARC analysis of 2007-08 school district financial and enrollment data provided by LEAP.
School District Cost & Size
9
Report Pages Final Report
Proposed 6-7

Unique Characteristics of Small
Districts
• You will always be
under a microscope
as the leader of the
school
• There is no place to
hide!
• Video story…

Districts
• Every patron has an opinion on these three
things:
– What strategies and plays the basketball coach
should be using…
– What teacher or staff member needs to be put
on the first bus out of town…
– What should be taught up there at that
school…

Districts
• Community members expect you to use
their tax dollars wisely…
• Your parents and your community want a
good, strong school system…
• You better take darn good care of the
kids…

“Gotta Do’s”

• Be visible in the community
• Join Chamber, Lions Club, Rotary, etc.
• If you make a mistake—own it, do not
try and “spin it”…
• Be the educational leader and expert
in your community

“Gotta Do’s”

• Be a cheerleader and advocate for
your school district
• Insist that the “chain of command” is
followed (assist if needed)
• Take good care of yourself, so you can
take care of your staff and your school
system

Working with Legislators

• “Some one else will
do that…”
• “I don’t have time to
keep up with all this
legislative stuff…”
• Someone at WASA
will take care of all of
this…”

Working with Legislators

• “If you don’t
advocate for your
students and your
community, who
will?

A few word about what I learned from
Dr. Don Cox
• Served as a state Representative for
many years
• District 9 – Colfax / Whitman County
• An incredible mentor and leader
• Integrity, honesty, consistency, passio
nate about education
• “Get to know your legislators and get
them in your school district.”

• Ross Hunter trip to Garfield County

Develop relationships with your
legislators…

Playboy Magazine, Lind Combine
Derby & a State Senator…

Welcome to the
Davenport
School
District!
House Education Committee Visit
Oct. 5, 2011

Welcome to Mrs. Ballance’s
5th Grade Classroom
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
 Integrated Pole Vault System
 Amplified Sound & Speaker System
 Document Camera
 “thin clients”

Davenport School District
Quick Facts:
Enrollment: 563 students, K-12
Free/Reduced: 53% of our students
34 certificated teachers
17 instructional paraprofessionals
10 bus drivers
2 principals
1 superintendent

Da

Comprehensive High School —27 credits required for graduation

Quick Overview of
Our Construction Project

Tremendous Community
Support!

Energy
Efficiency

New HVAC system

We qualify for a
Old boiler system $34,000 energy
rebate from
Avista !

Significant Loss in State
Funding
I-728 funds
 In 2008-09 - we received $259,293

 In 2011-12 – we are receiving $0

Tremendous community support…
Significant Increase in M & O Levy Amount..
Year Amount Notes

2007 675.000

2009 738,000
We have
raised our
2011 945,000
M & O Levy
44% from
2012 975,000 2007 to
2012
2013 998,000

Davenport School Bond
Passed in March, 2009

Amount From Local
Voters: $7.3 million

State Match We
Qualify For: $7.2 million

Total Available For
Project: $14.5 million

Tremendous Community
Support

Tax Rates:

M&O
Bond Total
Levy

$4.30 $3.20 $7.50

Levy Equalization

• LEA is a significant • Our starting cash
component to our reserve for 2011-12
school district was $417,000
budget
• 2011-12…We are
scheduled to receive
$411,894 in LEA
funds

Dealing with Cuts

• In the last four years • We have increased
we have cut 4.5 our M & O Levy by
teaching positions. 44% since 2007.
• We are working hard • How much more can
to maintain the we ask our
programs desired by community for?
our community.

We are proud
of our
partnership
with
NorthEast
Washington
ESD 101

Outstanding drama,
choir & band programs!

Programs we are proud of!

FFA

Math Team

We
participate in

Math Counts
Math is Cool
Math
Olympiad

Future Business Leaders of America
Gold Seal Chapter Award of Merit 1978-2011
4th Place – National Conference – Partnership Team
8th Place – National Conference – Partnership Team
Top 15 – National Conference – Community Service

NAVIGATION 101
Over 90% parent participation in student led
conferences for grades 9-11.

Third year of program which encompasses
grades 7-12.

KNOWLEDGE BOWL
State participants in Knowledge Bowl at
Central Valley High School

Partnership with Lincoln County
Heath Department

Collaborate for Healthy
Weight Project—National
Initiative for Children’s
Healthcare Quality
One of only 10 projects in
the nation!

Collaboration with our
ESD
“You want national experts on the
cutting edge of what is
happening to come to our
region? We can do that!

Partnership with our ESD
• Assisting with Fiscal Services
• Workers Compensation Program
• Asbestos Inspections & Mold Testing
• Managing Lincoln County Readiness &
Emergency Management for Schools Project
• TPEP Consortium
• Student Assistance Counselor Funding
(The ESD is able to leverage funding so we go from 1
day of service to 3 days!)

What key messages were being
communicated in this presentation?

What key messages
resonated with you?

Do you think this presentation to
legislators made an impact?

Small & Rural Districts and
Communities are Under Attack
• Cuts being proposed
this session to
Critical Access
Hospitals
• Cuts to Small High
Funding
Enhancement..on
the chopping block!

Small & Rural Districts and
Communities are Under Attack

Forced
Consolidation…
what’s up with that?
Note: not necessarily a just a
small school district issue

Update:
Consolidation
Efforts
in
Washington
State

• Goals & Objectives of this Session:
Provide to you the following…

Up-to-date information on consolidation efforts in our
state

Brief overview of sharing of efficiencies and a discussion
on “areas of vulnerability”

Strategies to continue to educate policy makers

Time for Q & A

Segment A:
Up-to-Date Information
On Consolidation Efforts

Jim Kowalkowski

Quick Review of Consolidation Efforts
to Date in Washington State

• Between 1910 & 1994, the number of
districts in WA State declined from
2,710 to 296
• 1993 Legislative Session: A measure
was introduced (but not passed) that
would have dissolved school districts
(not schools) with enrollments of 150
or less in grades K-8

in Washington State
• Following the 1993 legislative session,
the State Board of Ed. created a
School District Reorganization
Committee that met from Oct. 1993 to
Dec. 1994

• This report stated the following…

• “The state has essentially reached the end
of the line on significant savings through
consolidation.”
• “One of the primary aims of education
restructuring is more community
involvement…forced consolidation is the
wrong flow given the direction of ESHB
1209”

• “For the reasons outlines in this report, the
School District Reorganization Committee
strongly recommend that the state not make
any changes in law which would further
mandate school district consolidations”

• 2009 Legislative Session
– Governor Gregoire includes in her budget proposal
language stating that the OSPI superintendent shall
make recommendation for a streamlined school
district consolidation process to:
• Reduce operating costs
• Reduce administrative duplication
• Create efficiencies to offer better programmatic
opportunities for students
• Recommendations shall also include specific proposals
for realigned school districts

– Rep. Sam Hunt introduces HB 2616
• Would create a commission on statewide school district reorganization
• This commission shall develop and recommend a comprehensive plan
that shall result in no more that 150 school districts
• The plan shall also result in reorganization of the number & boundaries
of ESDs
– SB 6444 (Senate Budget Bill)
• Included language that creates a commission on statewide school
district reorganization
• Establishes a School District Reorganization Commission that is directed
to develop and recommend a comprehensive plan to reorganize and
reduce school districts in our state

– SB 6444 is Passed by the Legislature

– On May 4the Governor Vetoes the Language that
would have created the “consolidation commission”

• Summer of 2010
–The Joint Legislative Audit Review
Committee (JLARC) releases a final report
regarding the relationship between the
cost of school districts and their
enrollment size…
–OFM & Governor’s Office…public hearings
on “Transforming Washington’s Budget”

RESTRUCTURING IDEAS
1. School and district consolidation, efficiency
and partnership. Increase inter-district cost-
sharing through effective use of Educational
Service Districts (ESD) and other entities or
mechanisms. Look at ways to improve ESDs
and use them to achieve greater cross-district
efficiencies and effectiveness. Consider state
funding formula changes to increase local
pressure toward consolidation of
districts, schools and/or programs. (Education)

2. Decide whether we
want state or local control.
State control - focus on
consolidation…


HB 1325 is
heard in the
House
Education
Committee on
Feb. 10, 2011

But, thanks to a “super hero”, this
bill is defeated…

There is yet another super
hero among you today…
Dr. Dingman…

How important is it to connect with
your local legislators?

What would it take for you to
travel to Olympia and testify and/or
meet with legislators?

If not you, then who?

Passing Bond Measures
in Small Districts:
It Can Be Done!

WSSDA Annual Conference
Spokane, WA

• Presenters:
Sergio Hernandez, Superintendent
Freeman School District

John Zingg, Director
Freeman School District

Jim Kowalkowski, Superintendent
Davenport School District &
Director, Rural Education Center

Explore…Discover…Create…Contribute
Merilla Hopkins, Director

Kim Spacek, Superintendent
Pomeroy School District

• Goals & Objectives of this Session:
Gain a better understanding of successful strategies
regarding school construction bond projects

Learn about the many details that need to be
considered, from the idea and planning stage to the
opening day ceremony

Hear about ways to mobilize support in a small
community

Provide time for questions and answers!

Overview of Davenport School District
Bond Project
• $7.3 local funds
• $7.2 state matching dollars
• Modernize & Expand Davenport Elementary
School
• Construct an addition for a middle school wing
for Grades 7-8

Each School District Will Share Success
Strategies
• Deciding how much to build…how big the
bond measure will be…
• Getting community input…
• Advertizing the bond…
• Working with consultants…
• Financial…
• Project Management…
• Architect…

Projected Tax Rates
Levy / $1000 Assessed Value

Capital Projects Levy Rate M&O Rate 2009 Bonds 2001 Bonds

10.00

9.00

8.00

7.00

6.00

5.00

4.00

3.00

2.00

1.00

-
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029

Davenport School
District

Replacement M & O
Levy

Presentation to
Davenport Lions
Club

Davenport School District Replacement M & O
Levy
Q&A

Q: When does the current levy
expire?
A: December, 2010

Levy
Q&A

Q: Why is this called a “replacement
levy”?
A: This is not a new tax. It is a renewal
of the M & O tax that is currently
being paid by voters

Levy
Q&A

Q: What do levy funds pay for?
A: See next page…

Levy dollars fund the following:
Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities
athletics, Knowledge
Bowl, drama, choir, FFA,
FBLA, field trips, safety equipment, etc.
Bus travel for events (fuel, drivers)
Textbook adoptions & curriculum
updates

Levy dollars fund the following:
School Resource Officer

Lincoln County Juvenile Court Services

Coaches & advisors salaries

Portions of salaries for administrators and other
staff not covered by state funding

NERCS (non-employee related costs)
Heat, lights, utilities, supplies, equipment

Levy
Q&A

Q: When was the last M & O Levy
that voters approved?
A: In March of 2006, voters approved
a four-year levy…

Levy
Collection Levy Amount Tax Rate
Year
2007 $675,064 3.60

2008 $695,871 3.52

2009 $716,250 3.47

2010 $738,000 3.46

Levy
Q&A

Q: How much is the school district
asking for and how long will this
levy be?
A: See next page…

Levy Collection
Year Proposed Estimated
Levy Amount Tax Rate

2011 $945,000 4.30

2012 $975,000 4.30

2013 $998,000 4.28

This request is for a three-year levy

Levy
Q&A

Q: Wow! That seems like a lot to ask
for. Why are you asking for so much
more?
A: We are expecting significant cuts
in state funding…

Explanation of
Matching Funds

Possible Cuts

Levy
Q&A

Q: Okay, if the levy passes, then the
school district will have plenty of
money, right?
A: No…we are still facing cuts…

Governor’s Possible Deficit
Budget Levy Increase

$440,000 cut in $206,750 $233,250
revenue to the
Davenport
School District

Levy
Q&A

Q: Why don’t you just ask the voters for
as much as you can?
A: We could ask the voters to approve a
levy at our allowable levy limit…

Levy
Q&A

…which is $1,089,506
This is the amount we have the
authority to ask for, but…

Levy
Q&A

…which is $1,089,506
…this would result in a tax rate of
4.95 per $1,000.
…ouch!

Levy
Quick Facts

The M & O Levy comprises
approximately 20% of the school
district’s total budget

Levy
Quick Facts

274 of the 296 public school
districts in the State of Washington
run M & O levies
That is over 92% of all districts

Levy
Quick Facts

The Reardan-Edwall school district M &
O Levy amount for 2010 is $1,019,000.
(This has already been approved.)
Reardan-Edwall has 664 students, K-12.
Davenport has 591 students, K-12.

Levy
Q&A

Q: Why don’t you just make some cuts
instead of asking for more money”?
A: Good question. We have already
made some significant cuts…

Levy
Q&A
For this current school year, we are receiving less
funding from the state. These are cuts we have
already made:
Cut 2.5 teaching positions
All administrators and district office staff took a
voluntary cut in salary
Our coaches and advisors took a 3% cut in salary

Levy
Q&A

Significant reduction in supplies and equipment
Restructured our contract with Lincoln County
Juvenile Court Services
Cooperating with neighboring school districts to
share transportation for extracurricular events

Levy
Q&A

Q: Just get on with it…what is the
bottom line here? In other words
how much will my taxes increase?

Levy
Q&A

A: 84 cents per $1,000 of assessed
value…

Current Current New Estimated Estimated
Value of (2010) M&O Estimated Tax Yearly Yearly
M & O Tax Yearly Increase per M & O Taxes M&O
Home Rate Taxes $1,000 Tax
Per $1,000 Increase

$100,000 3.46 $346 .84 $430 $84

$84 annual increase =
$7 monthly increase

Per $1,000 Increase

$150,000 3.46 $519 .84 $645 $126

$10.50 monthly increase

Per $1,000 Increase

$200,000 3.46 $692 .84 $860 $168

$14.00 monthly increase

Levy
Q&A

Q: What about the bond that was
passed last March…did you structure
the tax rate to stay “level”?
A: YES! See next page…

Levy
Timelines
Ballots Mailed Out from Courthouse:
Jan. 22
Community Forum:
Jan. 25 – 6PM @ Davenport High Library
Election Date:
Feb. 9

Questions?

Tip: If you get asked a question that you don't
know off the top of your head, then promise
that person you will get back to them, and
then make sure the very next day you fulfill
your promise…better yet, send that info to
everyone who was in attendance…

“Gotta Do’s” regarding
passing levies and bonds
• Be honest with your patrons ---ALWAYS!
• Be aware of two campaign periods – mail-in
ballots
• Double check the wording on the ballot before
it is published!
• Copy and steal from other districts...
(similar to stealing plays from the other team
when you coached!)

“Gotta Do’s” regarding
passing levies and bonds

Say
THANK
YOU
many, m
any
times !

Strategies for Keeping your Sanity
While Wearing Many Hats

Develop a network of fellow
superintendents for support

Look around this
room…these
folks can be a
tremendous
resource…

When faced with a difficult
situation…
 Call WASA
 Call your WSU
faculty & your
fellow
superintendents
 Call your ESD supt.
 Call the school
district’s attorney!

When faced with a difficult
situation…
 Assume the worst…work your way
back from there
 Document, document, document…
 Embrace the fact that you will have
to deal with some very disturbing
incidents…
 Call the school district’s attorney!

Take good care of yourself…

 This will be the
most stressful
job you will ever
have…

Helping Staff Members
Overcome Resistance to
Change

MMRE Professional
Development
Oct. 14, 2011

Resistance…

“There is no way I am going to
change what I do in MY
classroom…”

Is change hard for you?

Why or why not?
Reflect, then share some of your
experiences with change..

Why is change so difficult for many
staff members?
List some reasons…
…then partner share

the leader…
What can you do, as a leader of
staff members, to help “fight the
resistance”?

Change
Change is a process…not an event!

A process is a chain of
connections and events directed
at a particular goal

Three “Stages” of Change
Stage 1: Implementation… (novice stage)
 “awareness level”
 This occurs after some training has taken place
 Practical, hands-on classroom knowledge has not
yet happened

Today’s activities / Skill level?

Stage 2: Infusion…
 “usage level”
 “mechanically using a skill”

 Teachers have to deliberately think to use the
change, but they are doing so!

Stage 3: Immersion
 “expert level”
 Demonstrating a high degree of
skill, flexibility, confidence…the skill is
integrated into your teaching repertoire

A word of caution…
At each stage of
the continuum of
change, passive or
active rejection
can easily occur
without
continued
monitoring and
support!

Self-reflection
• I have been identified as a leader who will
help others in my district change..
• Before I help others, how open am I to
change?
• Do I need to make any changes before I work
with others to get them to change?
• What tools and skills will I need to help others
change?

Last bit of advice…

…make it so!

Jim kowalkowski presentation to wsu supt certification program group

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