Thursday's meeting will focus on Student Activities, namely costs for activities, athletics and the band. Some BOE finance committee members have discussed raising the participation fee, implementing a graduated/stepped activity fee and/or instituting a full pay-to-play fee to help cover the costs of running/supporting these activities.
Reports (click to enlarge):
CHS Athletic Budget:
:
CHS Stipends:
CHS Clubs & Activities:
CHS Marching Band, Color Guard & Winter Guard Costs:
Many folks have asked about the costs associated with various programs/activities/sports at CHS. I'm making these reports available for questions/review. I'm awaiting reports on revenue that is generated by some of our sports programs.
Thanks,
Tony Perugini
21 comments:
If you're considering increasing the activity fees have you considered asking the coaches (& club directors) to sacrafice some of their stipends?
Although not related to sports/activity fees, what is the chance that with all these snow days that we can cut out the April vacation like other towns are doing? Actually if you think about it, the longer the kids are in school in June, that A/C bill will be higher.
"If you're considering increasing the activity fees have you considered asking the coaches (& club directors) to sacrafice some of their stipends?"
Yes and stipends for CHS department heads are also on the table.
"what is the chance that with all these snow days that we can cut out the April vacation like other towns are doing?"
We've had parents inquire about postponing the February break too. But we've also had parents against the idea sincep plans have been made for some during the Feb break. Also, there's the possibility of more snow days this month...if that's the case, hopefully it'll be during the week of Feb break.
I think spring break is a better option. While we have ample days in June to make up the lost time, the concern I have is not so much the A/C costs but for those schools that don't have A/C. It's gets pretty bad in Highland, for example, during the hot months.
I plan on bringing up this topic at the 2/17 BOE business meeting.
It's too close to the Feb. break to do much with that, but, I agree, April break is the one to take days away from. For all those who booked their island get-a-ways, the days they miss would be "excused" absences for them.
Thanks, Tony, for looking into this.
timtalkstotonyandtonytalkstotim.com
start supporting education-
11:02
Thye both support eduacation, but you tell me how we will be able to continue to give the education budget an extra $3 million each year??
I won't be able to afford that increas each year.
Why is it that if people don't agree with Florio's budget we are automatically labeled anti-education?
I am all for education, but I would also like to continue to live in this town.
I am not saying a 0 percent increase, but I can't see a 5% increase in this economy.
I agree that increasing the budget by 5% in this economy isn't realistic. The people who live in this town want to continue living in this town and when you check the newspapers there isn't another town asking for anywhere near that kind of increase.
try www.teachersunionwalkstoFloriotalkstoBOE.disorg
Lots interesting solutions & strategies for getting through this year so the Town can negotiate a great new contract for our teachers for the next 3 years.
Who knows...maybe the Democrats will win the BOE and the Town Council back so they can saddle taxpayers with the third great contract accomplished under their endorsement and leadership.
At last night's meeting we reviewed the CHS and Dodd Middle school expenses related to extra-curricular activities.
There was discussion about the reports I posted but we decided to get a further breakdown of "true cost" per activity. What's not reported is how much money is being donated by parents through CBA and/or dues being paid (as much as $500) for band. Most of this funding is helping with costs above and beyond what's reported. So we need the true baseline.
But we calculated a fee of $320 which would cover the $900K the BOE funds for these activities. Raising the fee to this level, could free up $900K.
The BOE Finance committee is meeting again 2/17 at 6:30pm to review the breakdown costs and fee options being compiled by Dr. Florio.
Why should every taxpayer be paying for any of these extras 100000 for band (are you serious). ALL these costs should be pushed onto the respective participants. If junior is verry gifted it is money well spect when college comes around. Taxpayer money should be used for the essentials, not so the soccer team can have new jerseys or so the marching band can go to NY to participate in some competition. Charge every student per semester for participation in EXTRA curricular activities. (not the EXTRA).
Let's remember that the extracurricular activities have been a long standing part of the overall educational system, not just in Cheshire, but nationwide. Many studies done over the years have shown that these not only elevate the quality of the education system, but also has tremendous positive impacts on the students, as well as helping to reduce kids involvement in less than desirable after school activities.
Parents whose kids are involved already do pay monies beyond the activity fee for their kids to participate. Many of the "teams" have parent groups that help off-set some of the equipment/uniform costs. These parent groups do try to identify on a yearly basis, with the help of the coaches, whatthe needs of the team or group are for the coming year.
A couple of thoughts moving forward IF parents had to pay an "actual" cost for participation..... This will reduce the number of participants and will probably reduce the amount of dollars coming into the parents groups that help support these programs.
It is quite possible that you will lose some of these programs, or certainly reduce the quality of the program. How does that factor into the overall quality of our educational system? How does that translate into property values? Do people move out of town or do more people send their kids to private schools?
To 8:49's question..."Why should every taxpayer be paying for any of these extras"......Many years ago the question was raised about why should taxpayers who do not have kids in the school system pay the same taxes as someone who does.... I found one person's answer to that very telling....This lady, about 85 yrs. old, answered this way....When you went to school, someone who had no stake in it helped pay for your education, and your kids education.
I agree that there are many changes needed to help reduce the burden of education costs. There does need to be some shared sacrifice from many aspects. Are all of the course offerings at CHS financially prudent to offer? Should class sizes be adjusted at CHS to more closely emulate what these students will be facing when they move on to a higher education? Is our system over staffed in areas of administration?
What I find interesting about many comments here and elsewhere is that the majority of people who want to cut activities or greatly increase the fees associated with them have NO issue with the Cheshire Teachers Union NOT giving anything back. I do hope regardless of who makes up the next BOE and TC, that this is taken into account for the next contract. I am pretty sure that just about EVERY other school system has had their teachers unions forego raises or accepted greatly reduced raise proposals.
why should taxpayers who do not have kids in the school system pay the same taxes as someone who does.... OK I pay to send my kids to a Catholic school. I pay tuition, busing, and for all extracurricular activities, not to mention uniforms and books. Why should I pay for the Cheshire School system extras??? My choice to send kids to Catholic school granted, but should i not receive a break as I am not burdening our schools. Also why is every bus leaving CHS almost empty. Consoldiate the buses, make the routes longer and fill the buses.
Extracurricluar programs do have a benefit, but why should that burden be placed on the average taxpayer. Let those parents pay for juniors "development". Or if a student is in an athletic program, exempt them from gym, provide them with a study hall. Eliminate a few gym teachers, pay a part time person to monitor the study hall. As far as the teachers union failing to "work" with town. Cut, cut, cut show them the folly of thier way.
I agree with 849 107000 for marching band is comical. It is a luxury not a necessity. Especially when you are competing out of state. The "recognition" for parades and events is a joke. NOBODY remembers or recognizes Cheshire for what they participated in. To make my point name me another band that competed in the last rosebowl or other parade that CHS paarticipated in....
If you lived in Middletown and your kid went to Xavier would MDtn give you a tax break? When I sent my kids to private school when they were younger I still paid my city taxes. Did I enjoy paying both education costs, no, but ity was my choice. I chose to move to Cheshire so that I would not feel a need to send my kids to private school, as I though thatthey would get a well-rounded education and have better opportunities within the system.
Should the folks who have no kids left at home pay less for their sewer use fees than others? If youdon't use the library or the Senior Center, should you get a tax break too?
8:48 says extra curricular activities "also has tremendous positive impacts on the students, as well as helping to reduce kids involvement in less than desirable after school activities."
lmao Just ask the kids where the next keg party is - they'll know.
"Actually if you think about it, the longer the kids are in school in June, that A/C bill will be higher."
Has this poster been huffing freon? When did they install the AC?
"If you're considering increasing the activity fees have you considered asking the coaches (& club directors) to sacrafice some of their stipends?"
Most of the coaches make less than minimum wage per hour. Sacrifice stipend = parents better learn to coach. If you get rid of the stipend OK, just don't expect many people to start paying out of pocket to coach other peoples kids.
6:51 If a coach won't accept a lower stipend and doesn't want to coach anymore, that's ok, we could stand to lose a few.
6:45 I guess you haven't been in any of the schools lately. There are some classrooms with a/c, library, offices, cafeteria...go take a look.
chose to move to Cheshire so that I would not feel a need to send my kids to private school - Cheshire schools deal with two types of kids special needs and elite students. All the rest are left to fend for themselves. Look at humiston school it is nothing more than a babysitting service for kids that the "mainstream" teachers dont want to deal with. The kids do worksheets and have a 4 hr day. They are then left to walk around town. Cheshire BOE has no accountablity for preformance.
Cheshire Schools are smoke and mirrors, a shell of what they were.
4pm lmao.........Some kids are still going to make bad choices. this is the case with all kids.
With practice and game/competition schedules the way they are it does significantly reduce the chances/opportunities of these kids getting into trouble in the hours immediately following the school day.
Keg parties are not the only bad choices that these kids could make, and it is a choice that PARENTS have a greater influence on than the activity, given that the "keg parties" usually occur AFTER the activities.
Just curious, besides laughing at other people's opinions, do you have anything of substance to add? Do you have the miracle cure for any and/or all of the issues regarding our education system? I know most of us don't, but most do try to add perspective, opinions, ideas that may bring forth possible solutions.
"Let's remember that the extracurricular activities have been a long standing part of the overall educational system, not just in Cheshire, but nationwide."
This is true and I do believe there are benefits for students involved in these activities. But also consider that sports, band, club sports and other extra-curricular activities are not mandated by the Dept. of Ed.
The reality for Cheshire, is the same for many school districts in CT and beyond...and that reality is increasing costs and reduced revenue are forcing BOE's to consider funding mandated items over non-mandated items. Cheshire is not alone here.
"What I find interesting about many comments here and elsewhere is that the majority of people who want to cut activities or greatly increase the fees associated with them have NO issue with the Cheshire Teachers Union NOT giving anything back."
I disagree...I've found that many people be it here or at the BOE meetings do take issue that the union has not agreed to concessions. We've actually heard from parents at the meetings stand up and ask the union for help. Many folks are disappointed with the lack of help.
"I do hope regardless of who makes up the next BOE and TC, that this is taken into account for the next contract."
The next contract negotiation starts this July. More than likely, it will be members from this BOE involved with the contract negotiation.
"Parents whose kids are involved already do pay monies beyond the activity fee for their kids to participate."
True. Band participants pay up to $500 extra. I requested a breakdown of the TRUE costs for extra-curricular activites because the reports I posted only displays what comes out of the BOE budget. But there's a great deal of donations, band association fees, other fees that are collected outside of the budget to help pay for additional costs. I should have that detail tomorrow night.
But, we can't fund everything with limited resources. I expect a $2M+ reduction to the budget. We're planning for it. Tough choices will be made and there will be shared sacrifices.
In the end, however, we must maintain the integrity our of our classroom learning. I put a higher emphasis on the classroom over extra-curricular activities. Raising the fee, is a way to save as many of the programs as we can.
Agree with you on focusing on the classroom learning and that we are not the only district facing these challenges. However, I think some notions of summarily dismissing/discontinuing all of these activities is a little short-sighted.
I agree also that there may be some that are saved and some that are sacrificed, depending on the costs involved. Initial participation costs may have to be increased depending on the participation level, as you will undoubtedly have less participation once the costs are known.
The classroom education should always come first, but we can't discount or dismiss the activities that help create and foster a better overall education.
Thank you for all of your hard work Tony!
Post a Comment