Lakota superintendent delivers 'State of the Schools' address

A group of volunteers that help make Lakotafest possible are seen in this photo taken inside Lakota East High School March 5, 2009. Superintendent Mike Taylor said on Jan. 28, 2010 the district needs the support of individuals such as those who help organize LakotaFest, an event that invites community members into the schools to see what students have been doing, but he said support may also come in the form of involvement and partnerships from parents, businesses and other community members or feedback on areas of curriculum and business operations.

File photo A group of volunteers that help make Lakotafest possible are seen in this photo taken inside Lakota East High School March 5, 2009. Superintendent Mike Taylor said on Jan. 28, 2010 the district needs the support of individuals such as those who help organize LakotaFest, an event that invites community members into the schools to see what students have been doing, but he said support may also come in the form of involvement and partnerships from parents, businesses and other community members or feedback on areas of curriculum and business operations.

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By Dave Greber, Staff Writer Updated 12:54 PM Monday, February 1, 2010

WEST CHESTER TWP. — In order for it to continue along an eight-year path of state-rated excellence and fulfill the needs of what educators call the “net generation,” Lakota Local Schools need the community’s support, Superintendent Mike Taylor said during the State of the Schools address, Thursday, Jan. 28.

That support may come in the form of involvement and partnerships from parents, businesses and other community members or feedback on areas of curriculum and business operations, Taylor said.

In 2010, though, the foundation for that support will be built from the pocketbooks of residents in Liberty and West Chester townships to help supplement Lakota’s $165 million general fund.

“... just as every household and business, we have seen the economic conditions create stressors on our budget,” Taylor said. “It is interesting to note that over the years we have been faced with financial concerns, and similar to those times, we have no doubt that in partnership with our community, we will be able to manage today’s budgetary concerns.”

Hosted by the West Chester • Liberty Chamber Alliance at the Miami VOA Learning Center, Thursday’s address included Butler Tech CEO Robert Sommers and Dr. Jeanne Hey, interim dean at Miami University Middletown, who each provided brief presentations on accomplishments and future challenges of their respective institutions.

On Monday, Jan. 25, the Lakota Board of Education agreed in principle to place a levy before voters in May. Yet to be decided is the amount the district will ask of its residents — only 30 percent of whom have children in Lakota schools — and what type of levy — incremental or continuing — to seek.

That decision is expected at the board’s next regular meeting Feb. 8, or at least sometime before the Feb. 18 deadline to place issues on the May 4 ballot.

Taylor said Lakota has already cut more than $4 million from its budget this year, and will continue to consider ways of restructuring its operations to lessen the impact of cuts in state funding that total more than $1.3 million during the next two years.

But amid the reductions, Lakota has continued to grow, Taylor said.

“Lakota’s financial concerns did not begin with the previous year’s recession; however the recession did not help,” Taylor said, adding the district has not seen an increase from the state despite the influx of more than 1,500 students.

It also hasn’t seen an increase in local taxes since the previous levy — declared to last four years — was approved in 2005.

“In order for Lakota to operate in a sustainable nature for the future, we will need to look at all of our services in a completely different way,” he said. “It cannot be business as usual for our entire system.”

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... and therefore no need for a new levy in May 2010. The Lakota District would have a surplus - use it for property tax cut.

Bob
6:24 AM, 2/2/2010

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If the sock puppet board had our interests in mind, they would;

1) Advertise now for temporary teacher positions starting in August 2010, paying competitive wages with a defined contribution pension (thousands would apply). This is a web site and an interview room - very quick and affordable.

2) Accelerate negotiations with the union - sign a new deal on same terms as temps above or an impasse ASAP.

Start school in the fall with dramatically reduced labor costs and no pension problem.

Bob
6:22 AM, 2/2/2010

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How bout we all pay into SS--we all work the alloted years--No unions in gov,t--Now--that sounds like a fair deal. Gee--I wonder if the teachers union would go for that?

3rd rail
8:15 PM, 2/1/2010

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Greg, you're sadly spot on about teacher's collective bargaining powers.

The Journal's failure to bring that, their perks and costs to light like the Enquirer did in Cincy, doesn't help. Some suggest it's because ex-employees work as media contacts at local schools. Regardless, as Rahm Emanuel says, don't let a crisis go to waste...it gives people opportunities to do things they once never could.

The more well-educated, prior supporters I talk too, the more they agree change is now due!

Here's Some Suggestions...
5:34 PM, 2/1/2010

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So many of the things that need to be cut can't be cut because they are part of the collective bargaining agreement with the Teacher's Union. Reducing the amount of sick leave, personal days that can be accrued would be a good start, but you'd never get the union to agree on that or other "concessions" such as higher costs passed on for healtcare; perfomance based pay vs time-in-rank, etc.

Greg
4:51 PM, 2/1/2010

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