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Communicating Funding Issues

Communicating Funding Issues. Dr. Chris Belcher, Superintendent Michelle Baumstark , Community Relations Coordinator Columbia Public Schools. It’s a Nationwide Situation. Deep funding cuts for schools in state budget Michigan. School funding cuts to hit in January Indiana.

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Communicating Funding Issues

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  1. Communicating Funding Issues Dr. Chris Belcher, SuperintendentMichelle Baumstark, Community Relations Coordinator Columbia Public Schools

  2. It’s a Nationwide Situation Deep funding cuts for schools in state budget Michigan School funding cuts to hit in January Indiana Class size incity schoolsrises New York School district cuts athletics Arkansas School district cuts all sports programs California Music programs face cuts Minnesota Budget plan cuts books and school staff Virginia All school districts freeze teacher salaries Ohio

  3. It’s a Statewide Situation School district budget reduced by $3 million Liberty Vo-tech teacher extended days reduced by 50% Fort Osage District cuts$18 million from budget St. Louis Public schools ask teachers to take pay cut St. Louis SROs cut due to school budget cuts Troy School budget cuts unpopular but crucial Kansas City Budget cut talks begin, officials talk tax hike Lindbergh High school teachers to teach 6 of 7 periods Lee’s Summit

  4. It’s Also a Columbia Situation District is mulling cuts, Belcher tells faculty Columbia Daily Tribune Schools face budget knife, job cutbacks Columbia Daily Tribune Board cuts $5.2 million from budget Columbia Daily Tribune Schools consider cutting back on SROs Columbia Daily Tribune Schools’ revenue crunch stirs talk of cuts Columbia Daily Tribune Budget cuts hit model program Columbia Daily Tribune Schools detail possible cuts Columbia Daily Tribune Schools set to balance budget Columbia Daily Tribune

  5. Columbia’s Situation Analysis • Three straight years of budget cuts • Cuts to date total nearly $18 million • Reduced more than 220 FTE • Frozen salaries • Difficult internal & external climate

  6. Lessons Learned • Increase awareness among stakeholders • Involve stakeholders in the decision-making process • Communicate facts to stakeholders • Develop key messages

  7. More Lessons Learned… • Focus on existing & future program qualities • Maintain the value and reputation of the district • Have a plan and be strategic

  8. Stakeholders • Increase awareness among stakeholders • Take advantage of opportunities to communicate • Use a mixture of communications tools to reach multiple audiences • Never under estimate the power of face-to-face meetings • Don’t forget to communicate internally first

  9. Stakeholders • Take advantage of opportunities to communicate • Board of Education Meetings • Special Forums • Committee Meetings • Media Coverage/News Releases • Existing Publications i.e. print, electronic, video

  10. Stakeholders • Use a mixture of communications tools to reach multiple audiences • Print • Electronic • Video • Social Media • Face-to-Face

  11. Stakeholders • Never under estimate the power of face-to-face meetings • Committee Meetings • Speaking Engagements • World Café • Bond Issue Election

  12. Stakeholders • Don’t forget to communicate internally first • Internal Web site • Special Meetings with Internal Stakeholders • Belcher V-Log

  13. Belcher V-Log

  14. Stakeholders • Belcher V-Log

  15. Stakeholders • Involve stakeholders in the decision-making process • Establishment of Board Finance Committee • Board of Education Meetings • Employee Advisory Councils • Input from Administrators/Coordinators • Community Input/Engagement

  16. Stakeholders • Communicate facts to stakeholders • Be honest • Be transparent • Communicate early and often

  17. Develop Key Messages • What are you doing • Why are you doing it • How will you do it • When will it happen

  18. Develop Key Messages • Equity • Efficiency • Reorganization

  19. Focus on the Future • Focus on existing & future program qualities • Don’t forget the good things about your district • Mission, Vision and Goals • Budget parameters map the course for planning

  20. Focus on the Future • 2010-11 Budget Parameters • Operate salary schedules, including educational credit • Maintain benefits plan • Support district portion of career ladder funding • Build year-end balances to a minimum of20 percent for 2013-14

  21. Maintain Your Reputation • Maintain the value and reputation of the district • Maintain trust • Use credible and trusted spokespeople • Speak for the heart and the head • Respond to rumors • Own your problems • Continue to share the good news

  22. Have a plan • Have a plan and be strategic • Start early • Learn from mistakes • Use your resources • Involve stakeholders • Evaluate results

  23. Evaluation: Where is CPS Today • Climate improving • Positive feedback • Still a great school district!

  24. More Information… Contact Us: Dr. Chris Belcher, SuperintendentColumbia Public Schools (573) 214-3410 cbelcher@columbia.k12.mo.us Michelle Baumstark, Community Relations CoordinatorColumbia Public Schools (573) 214-3960 mbaumsta@columbia.k12.mo.us Access Presentation Information: www.columbia.k12.mo.us/MOSPRA.php

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