Primarily he lead the boards through Iowa Code 275 and how this relates to school reorganizations, the timelines involved, and the process as a whole. Discussion was held on not only Iowa Code, but also how to structure a newly reorganized school board, petitions, and dates a vote can legally be held. Many questions were asked concerning pro's and con's of reorganiziing school districts, examples of reorganization processes that have been most successful, and pit falls in the process to avoid.
So, what is the difference between whole grade sharing and reorganization?
In Whole Grade Sharing, two school districts agree to share students, classes, and staff but remain separate school districts. The two districts maintain separate school boards, separated budgets, and separate taxing authorities. Currently, Alta and Aurelia whole grade share student in middle school through high school. The boards are now learning more about a move to reorganization to determine if and when we should move to a true k-12 school merger through reorganization.
In re-oganization (commonly referred to as ‘consolidation’). Two separate school districts join to become one new district with one new school board, one budget and one taxing authority.
Whole Grade Sharing requires a vote of the school boards to approve. Re-Organization (consolidation) requires a vote of the public passed by simple majority.
There are pro’s and con’s to each. In the current Whole Grade Sharing Agreement between Alta and Aurelia there are a number of shared positions for which both districts receive additional funding (superintendent, business manager, transportation director, curriculum coordinator to name a few). This additional funding would not be available if the two districts consolidated. For districts that vote to consolidate, there are some efficiencies gained and a small property tax incentive for three years.
There are pro’s and con’s to each. In the current Whole Grade Sharing Agreement between Alta and Aurelia there are a number of shared positions for which both districts receive additional funding (superintendent, business manager, transportation director, curriculum coordinator to name a few). This additional funding would not be available if the two districts consolidated. For districts that vote to consolidate, there are some efficiencies gained and a small property tax incentive for three years.
The above mentioned loss in funds will not only be off-set by both districts applying for "jointly employed" funding, but funding would increase considerably for the final year of the whole grade sharing and the first three years of the reorganization . The districts are eligible for "jointly employeed" funding now that they have the same professional development plans, similar salary schedules, and utilize the same evaluation process and instruments.
As the boards move forward in learning more about reorganization, information will be made public. Once it is determined to pursue if reorganization is the proper fit or not for our situations, public surveys will be used, along with pubilc meetings and newsletters to get accurate information out to the public prior to any formal decisions being made.
Personally, as long as Alta and Aurelia remain together in whatever fashion the school boards and communities see fit, I view it as a huge positive. As I am out visiting classrooms, I witness more students in the elective classes than in years prior to the sharing agreement. Elective courses that would have literally had 2 or three students in the past now have double digits. Small class sizes are great, but there comes a point where a class is so small that it impedes education. In some of our elective classes, that is where we were when we were separate.
Because of our now larger student numbers, we are able to offer more elective classes at the high school and more exploratory classes in the middle school than we have been able to offer in many years, and possibly ever. Advanced Science classes have been developed, expanded offerings in Business, Family/Consumer Science, Business and Industrial Technology are now offered. Multiple sections of elective classes as well as multiple sections of required classes are now offered, where, prior to the sharing agreement, only one section may have been available in the schedule. This gives students greater choice and flexibility to take classes in their areas of interest and need.
The extra-curricular and co-curricular offerings are richer together than when we were separate. Increased numbers have allowed for for multiple levels of competition in many of our activities.
There are strong numbers in our music programs at both middle school and high school. Interest is high and we anticipate those numbers continuing to increase. Greater numbers in many of our co-curricular and extra-curricular programs gives us the opportunity to now have truly developmental programs. Students aren't forced into situations where they have to compete at levels above or below their skill levels, as was the case at times when both schools were separate.
The board of education for both Aurelia and Alta meet at joint monthly board meetings. Each gets to hear the discussions of the other district and both boards are taking a keen, positive, interest in the business of the other. If you were to walk in the board room as an observer, I think it would be difficult to determine who was an Alta board member and who was an Aurelia board member. The discussion is positive and forthcoming. There is a sense of "team" that has been developed in the board room. This is not only exciting and positive, but it will continue to have a positive impact in the classrooms and our students' educational experience.
There are two questions that I have continually asked myself over the past six years, "Are we better together than on our own?" and "Is being together better than the alternatives both school districts faced for their futures?" Based on what I am currently witnessing, the answer to both questions is a definite "Yes!" I for one am looking positively to the future as Alta and Aurelia continue to grow together for the benefit of our children’s education.
Personally, as long as Alta and Aurelia remain together in whatever fashion the school boards and communities see fit, I view it as a huge positive. As I am out visiting classrooms, I witness more students in the elective classes than in years prior to the sharing agreement. Elective courses that would have literally had 2 or three students in the past now have double digits. Small class sizes are great, but there comes a point where a class is so small that it impedes education. In some of our elective classes, that is where we were when we were separate.
Because of our now larger student numbers, we are able to offer more elective classes at the high school and more exploratory classes in the middle school than we have been able to offer in many years, and possibly ever. Advanced Science classes have been developed, expanded offerings in Business, Family/Consumer Science, Business and Industrial Technology are now offered. Multiple sections of elective classes as well as multiple sections of required classes are now offered, where, prior to the sharing agreement, only one section may have been available in the schedule. This gives students greater choice and flexibility to take classes in their areas of interest and need.
The extra-curricular and co-curricular offerings are richer together than when we were separate. Increased numbers have allowed for for multiple levels of competition in many of our activities.
There are strong numbers in our music programs at both middle school and high school. Interest is high and we anticipate those numbers continuing to increase. Greater numbers in many of our co-curricular and extra-curricular programs gives us the opportunity to now have truly developmental programs. Students aren't forced into situations where they have to compete at levels above or below their skill levels, as was the case at times when both schools were separate.
The board of education for both Aurelia and Alta meet at joint monthly board meetings. Each gets to hear the discussions of the other district and both boards are taking a keen, positive, interest in the business of the other. If you were to walk in the board room as an observer, I think it would be difficult to determine who was an Alta board member and who was an Aurelia board member. The discussion is positive and forthcoming. There is a sense of "team" that has been developed in the board room. This is not only exciting and positive, but it will continue to have a positive impact in the classrooms and our students' educational experience.
There are two questions that I have continually asked myself over the past six years, "Are we better together than on our own?" and "Is being together better than the alternatives both school districts faced for their futures?" Based on what I am currently witnessing, the answer to both questions is a definite "Yes!" I for one am looking positively to the future as Alta and Aurelia continue to grow together for the benefit of our children’s education.
