Some categories that will likely be purchased include:
- technology hardware
- Title I products, programs, and interventions
- facilities maintenance
- school supplies
May 20, 2009
June is School Purchasing Peak Time
Kansas school administrators now have more concrete numbers with which to plan their 2009-10 budgets. Many school districts will proceed with purchases in June in order to use this year's funds for next year.
Some categories that will likely be purchased include:
Some categories that will likely be purchased include:
May 14, 2009
Technology Funding for School Districts
There may be some significant dollars available through either/both Title II-D and Stimulus funds for "technology" for school districts. Time is of the essence here, though, as many school districts will want to make purchased between now and June 30.
I encourage all Greenbush business partners that have products/services in the area of technology hardware and software to begin assembling special "promotional" market baskets and be ready to market them by June 1 if not sooner. Please contact me so that Greenbush can help facilitate efficient and effective marketing campaigns.
I encourage all Greenbush business partners that have products/services in the area of technology hardware and software to begin assembling special "promotional" market baskets and be ready to market them by June 1 if not sooner. Please contact me so that Greenbush can help facilitate efficient and effective marketing campaigns.
May 13, 2009
Greenbush: The Future
Twenty-five superintendents, Greenbush staff members, and board members were invited to participate in a moderated discussion about where Greenbush is headed. With the upcoming change in leadership after the retirement of Executive Director, Dave DeMoss, there will be a change in direction once Mike Bodensteiner begins leading the organization. It was stressed that although Dave and Mike may lead differently, a core set of values will ensure sustainability and success of the organization.
The group’s objective was to recognize and establish the core set of values that Greenbush has used to become what it is and to determine where it is going. In order to do this, the group focused on three areas: Historical Perspective, Current Situation, and the Future of Greenbush.
To begin, the group was asked what Greenbush is good at and what Greenbush could be better at. After this discussion, the group was asked to list what they believed Greenbush should be built around; the “pillars of support” that will help lead the organization in the future.
The five core values the group agreed were vital to the success of Greenbush’s future were:
I encourage all Greenbush business partners to review these five core values as they represent the foundation upon which Greenbush will base its service to school districts.
The group’s objective was to recognize and establish the core set of values that Greenbush has used to become what it is and to determine where it is going. In order to do this, the group focused on three areas: Historical Perspective, Current Situation, and the Future of Greenbush.
To begin, the group was asked what Greenbush is good at and what Greenbush could be better at. After this discussion, the group was asked to list what they believed Greenbush should be built around; the “pillars of support” that will help lead the organization in the future.
The five core values the group agreed were vital to the success of Greenbush’s future were:
- An optimistic, positive, and trustworthy staff that provides expert customer service.
- Finding opportunity in discontinuity by remaining able to adapt to customer needs.
- Remain innovative and creative problem solvers for schools.
- Be able to adapt to change within the districts and markets as well as in the economy.
- Continue to do what it takes for kids by putting their needs first.
I encourage all Greenbush business partners to review these five core values as they represent the foundation upon which Greenbush will base its service to school districts.
May 11, 2009
Kansas Legislative Action
Following is what the legislature agreed upon before dismissing during the early morning hours on Saturday…it is certainly much better than originally expected, although not as good as we had hoped.
The most recent estimate of the Legislature’s action is to fund a base budget per pupil for 2009-10 of $4,280, a reduction of $120 (2.8 percent) from the current year (after a $33 reduction from the published amount). This is based on elimination of $25.6 million in capital outlay state aid next year.
Schools will now begin making decisions on purchasing for the 2009-10 academic year. Niche, targeted marketing will be effective now.
The most recent estimate of the Legislature’s action is to fund a base budget per pupil for 2009-10 of $4,280, a reduction of $120 (2.8 percent) from the current year (after a $33 reduction from the published amount). This is based on elimination of $25.6 million in capital outlay state aid next year.
Schools will now begin making decisions on purchasing for the 2009-10 academic year. Niche, targeted marketing will be effective now.
May 1, 2009
Kansas Budget
The situation in Kansas is dire. Please read below.
Nearly 1,300 School Jobs Eliminated as Districts Struggle to Meet Budget Reductions
Speaker:
John Heim, Emporia Superintendent of Schools
Today, May 1, is the day school boards must notify teachers if they will not have a job next year. Nearly 1,300 school employees have already been told that they will not be coming back.
USA|Kansas Survey
A survey taken of Kansas school districts shows that districts across the state are reeling from the impact of cuts already made. While the cuts to the 2009 budgets have been absorbed by reducing supplies, delaying purchases, and even eliminating days from the calendar, the cuts in 2010 have already resulted in cuts to both student programs and personnel.
Examples of student programs that have been reduced or eliminated by school districts across Kansas include music and other fine arts, vocational classes such as family and consumer sciences, library-media services, summer and after-school programs, and new textbook purchases. Each district has made decisions in these areas with great anxiety and much debate. These are painful decisions.
The survey, conducted by United School Administrators of Kansas, has found that as of yesterday (with about two-thirds of districts reporting), 1,292 positions have been cut from Kansas school districts. This number includes 90 administrative positions, 516 teachers, and 686 support positions. Many more reductions in workforce are being accomplished through attrition. What is the impact on the Kansas economy of cuts this deep? In many Kansas counties our public schools account for as much as 25% of total payroll. Calculating the 516 teaching positions alone, this results in taking $24,252,000 out of the Kansas economy. This number does not include the administrative or support positions.
Dollars invested in public schools have a ripple effect throughout the economy as school employees spend their incomes in local stores and restaurants.
Why is this happening?
First, because the Legislature has eliminated over $80 million in promised funding for next year. Secondly, because the Legislature has already cut $42 million in base state aid and $4.5 million in special education funding below the current year’s budget.
And now because the Legislature is considering between $86 million and $114 million in further cuts.
In total school districts are faced with the possibility of reductions of as much as $300 million below what they were promised for next year.
Budget discussions in this economic atmosphere must be about shared sacrifice. It is completely unrealistic and inappropriate to ask that the Legislature fulfill every promise ever made when Kansans are suffering.
The education community is not asking the Legislature to fulfill the promises made in 2008 Legislature for school funding. Funding rescissions made this year have caused districts to cut millions of dollars from current budgets.
We worry that further cuts will jeopardize the academic progress our schools have been making. Kansas is consistently rated among the top states in the nation for educational outcomes. In the past eight years, student proficiency in math has increased by 30 percent and reading proficiency has increased by 25 percent. Kansas educators are investing resources in people and programs that make a positive difference for Kansas kids. This will pay off economically for our state and nation in the future.
Schools have been cut by millions of dollars in the current year. The Legislature has already made additional cuts to schools for 2010. And in the bill adopted by the House Appropriations Committee, schools are faced with an additional $142.8 million in cuts. The result is that, under the House plan, base state aid per pupil will fall below the 2006 level. We emphasize base state aid because it is the primary source of operating budgets for school districts. It is also the number against which all student weightings are measured. As the base drops, so drops funding for children with exceptional needs.
Last night Governor Parkinson asked the corporate business community in Kansas to delay further tax cuts. In his statement he said, “Fortunately there is middle ground. We need to share the sacrifice and address the deficit with both responsible budget cuts and revenue enhancements.”
Tax cuts would be delayed but no business or person would see their taxes increase.
While this $96 million delay will not stop additional cuts to education and other vital services, it will soften them. It is in the spirit of shared sacrifice for the benefit of all Kansans that we ask the Legislature to enact these small revenue changes. Within the context of a legislative research analysis that shows the impact of tax cuts initiated over the last four years to have taken $143 million out of the state treasury in 2009 and an additional $180 million in 2010, it seems a small sacrifice. In fact, Legislative Research estimates the cumulative effect of these tax cuts to be $1.135 billion.
We call upon the corporate community to stand shoulder to shoulder with state agencies to bring economic recovery to Kansas. As Governor Parkinson said yesterday, this is the time for shared sacrifice to protect our schools, our universities, and state services to our most vulnerable citizens.
In closing, I return to the 1,300 jobs that have already been eliminated in Kansas school districts and the possibility of more to come. I would like us to think about this in a different way – from the point of view of economic development. I wonder what sort of incentives and sacrifices our state would be willing to make to bring this many professional jobs to Kansas.
We are asking that the legislature support the Governor and ask everyone to share the sacrifice.
Additional Contacts:
Mark Desetti, Kansas NEA - 785-766-1866
Cheryl Semmel, United School Administrators of Kansas - 785-224-1377
Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards - 785-608-4506
Nearly 1,300 School Jobs Eliminated as Districts Struggle to Meet Budget Reductions
Speaker:
John Heim, Emporia Superintendent of Schools
Today, May 1, is the day school boards must notify teachers if they will not have a job next year. Nearly 1,300 school employees have already been told that they will not be coming back.
USA|Kansas Survey
A survey taken of Kansas school districts shows that districts across the state are reeling from the impact of cuts already made. While the cuts to the 2009 budgets have been absorbed by reducing supplies, delaying purchases, and even eliminating days from the calendar, the cuts in 2010 have already resulted in cuts to both student programs and personnel.
Examples of student programs that have been reduced or eliminated by school districts across Kansas include music and other fine arts, vocational classes such as family and consumer sciences, library-media services, summer and after-school programs, and new textbook purchases. Each district has made decisions in these areas with great anxiety and much debate. These are painful decisions.
The survey, conducted by United School Administrators of Kansas, has found that as of yesterday (with about two-thirds of districts reporting), 1,292 positions have been cut from Kansas school districts. This number includes 90 administrative positions, 516 teachers, and 686 support positions. Many more reductions in workforce are being accomplished through attrition. What is the impact on the Kansas economy of cuts this deep? In many Kansas counties our public schools account for as much as 25% of total payroll. Calculating the 516 teaching positions alone, this results in taking $24,252,000 out of the Kansas economy. This number does not include the administrative or support positions.
Dollars invested in public schools have a ripple effect throughout the economy as school employees spend their incomes in local stores and restaurants.
Why is this happening?
First, because the Legislature has eliminated over $80 million in promised funding for next year. Secondly, because the Legislature has already cut $42 million in base state aid and $4.5 million in special education funding below the current year’s budget.
And now because the Legislature is considering between $86 million and $114 million in further cuts.
In total school districts are faced with the possibility of reductions of as much as $300 million below what they were promised for next year.
Budget discussions in this economic atmosphere must be about shared sacrifice. It is completely unrealistic and inappropriate to ask that the Legislature fulfill every promise ever made when Kansans are suffering.
The education community is not asking the Legislature to fulfill the promises made in 2008 Legislature for school funding. Funding rescissions made this year have caused districts to cut millions of dollars from current budgets.
We worry that further cuts will jeopardize the academic progress our schools have been making. Kansas is consistently rated among the top states in the nation for educational outcomes. In the past eight years, student proficiency in math has increased by 30 percent and reading proficiency has increased by 25 percent. Kansas educators are investing resources in people and programs that make a positive difference for Kansas kids. This will pay off economically for our state and nation in the future.
Schools have been cut by millions of dollars in the current year. The Legislature has already made additional cuts to schools for 2010. And in the bill adopted by the House Appropriations Committee, schools are faced with an additional $142.8 million in cuts. The result is that, under the House plan, base state aid per pupil will fall below the 2006 level. We emphasize base state aid because it is the primary source of operating budgets for school districts. It is also the number against which all student weightings are measured. As the base drops, so drops funding for children with exceptional needs.
Last night Governor Parkinson asked the corporate business community in Kansas to delay further tax cuts. In his statement he said, “Fortunately there is middle ground. We need to share the sacrifice and address the deficit with both responsible budget cuts and revenue enhancements.”
Tax cuts would be delayed but no business or person would see their taxes increase.
While this $96 million delay will not stop additional cuts to education and other vital services, it will soften them. It is in the spirit of shared sacrifice for the benefit of all Kansans that we ask the Legislature to enact these small revenue changes. Within the context of a legislative research analysis that shows the impact of tax cuts initiated over the last four years to have taken $143 million out of the state treasury in 2009 and an additional $180 million in 2010, it seems a small sacrifice. In fact, Legislative Research estimates the cumulative effect of these tax cuts to be $1.135 billion.
We call upon the corporate community to stand shoulder to shoulder with state agencies to bring economic recovery to Kansas. As Governor Parkinson said yesterday, this is the time for shared sacrifice to protect our schools, our universities, and state services to our most vulnerable citizens.
In closing, I return to the 1,300 jobs that have already been eliminated in Kansas school districts and the possibility of more to come. I would like us to think about this in a different way – from the point of view of economic development. I wonder what sort of incentives and sacrifices our state would be willing to make to bring this many professional jobs to Kansas.
We are asking that the legislature support the Governor and ask everyone to share the sacrifice.
Additional Contacts:
Mark Desetti, Kansas NEA - 785-766-1866
Cheryl Semmel, United School Administrators of Kansas - 785-224-1377
Mark Tallman, Kansas Association of School Boards - 785-608-4506
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