February 2018 District Newsletter
February Events
2/02: Report Cards Distributed
2/06: Facilities Study Community Forum, 6:30 p.m.
2/09: Science Fair Night at Smith Elementary School, 7 p.m.
2/13: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
2/19: Winter Recess Begins
2/23: Winter Recess Ends
2/27: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Board Hosts Facilities Forum February 6th
The Facilities Study Committee that was convened last May has finished their work, and the consultants that the Board of Education hired to make recommendations about our school facilities presented their final report to the Board of Education at their January 23rd meeting. The consultants, with feedback from the committee, examined many aspects of the District's finances, facilities, and programs and then made several recommendations to the Board. You can find the recommendations on the website that is linked below.

The Board is hosting a forum about the recommendations on February 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Junior Senior High School. Community members are invited to share their perspective with the Board at that time.
Auditorium Renovation
Now that the community endorsed the intention to renovate the District’s auditorium (located at the Junior Senior High School), the planning has begun. The $6.5 million capital project was approved 386 to 109. Almost all of the project (88%) will be funded by the state, and the Board of Education has saved enough in the Capital Reserve Account to cover the other 12% without having to raise taxes.

Architects from King & King are working with District staff to develop detailed plans which have to be submitted to the State Education Department for approval. Mechanical engineers, acoustical engineers, landscape engineers, and construction managers will all be involved in the planning process. Unfortunately, the wait for project review and approval is very long, so it could be until January of 2019 when the project can be put out to bid. Construction could then commence. There will be a period of time, as long as a year, when the auditorium is unavailable for use and alternate locations will host our concerts and theatrical events. You can follow the process on the website linked below.
Changes Made to State Tests
Changes have been made at the State level regarding the administration of tests and the use of data:

  • Tests are now shorter (two sessions rather than three)
  • More time to complete tests (all students have extended time if needed)
  • Test scores do not affect teacher evaluation scores
  • New state standards were developed with educators to replace Common Core
  • More test questions are being released so teachers can use them
  • More New York State teachers and administrators have been involved in test design

These changes are evidence that the Commissioner and State Education Department listened to parents and educators to make some major changes to the tests in New York.

There have also been changes at the Federal level with the replacement of the “No Child Left Behind” act with the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA). There are two parts of the new law that have a significant impact on us: attendance and participation rates on the 3-8 and Regents tests. The threshold for the participation rate on these tests is 95%. This means that unless 95% of our students take the state tests, our district will not be considered to be making the student achievement progress toward which we are working so diligently. Naturally, when it comes to attendance, all students should be in school, everyday! Learning isn't optional!
The Next Computers
What will the next generation of computer devices be for students and staff at Cortland Enlarged City School District? The Technology Planning Committee is working to choose the next generation of devices that our students and staff will use in their teaching and learning. After considering different options, the Committee decided to test 13 inch ACER touchscreen Chromebooks. Instead of the traditional laptop with a Windows operating system, Chromebooks use Chrome as the operating system.

The benefits of using a Chromebook include integration with Google’s G Suite applications such as Drive, Docs, Slides and Sheets; a quick start up time; and cost-effective pricing. Students have been testing the Chromebooks at both the Junior High and at Parker Elementary School. Members of the Technology Planning Committee have also been using the Chromebook to get a feel for the device and run them through their paces.

At Parker Elementary School, sixth grade teacher Jim Wallis has been using the Chromebook with students. Mr. Wallis said, “Students have been using the Chromebooks for most classes. I use google classroom as a learning management system so it is easy for the kids to find what assignments we are working on."
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration for the 2018-2019 school year has begun.

Child must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2018. Children who turn six before December 1, 2018 must attend school.
Parents are urged to call (607) 758-4106, prior to April 20, 2018, to begin the registration process. For information about registering your student, go to the Registration Section of our website .

Kindergarten Screening Schedule
Kindergarten screening is done by appointment on the dates that are listed. Please make your appointment through the school office listed below:
UPK Signup Begins March 26, 2018
Universal Pre-Kindergarten offers a high quality early education program, fun activities and nutritious meals in safe neighborhood centers. This free, half-day program promotes early education and independence through creative play experiences with other children and is staffed by caring professionals.
To be eligible your child must reside in the Cortland Enlarged City School District and have a birth date between 12/2/13 and 12/1/14. Beginning March 12, 2018 applications will be available at all Cortland Schools, the Kaufman Center, pediatrician offices, local preschools, and day care centers. In-person registration will be conducted at the Kaufman Center beginning March 26th at 8:00 a.m. Prompt arrival is encouraged, as slots will be awarded on a first-come basis. For more information, call 758-4106. Participating Centers are:
  • CAPCO Head Start Program at Barry School, 607-299-4795
  • CAPCO Head Start Program at Parker School, 607-299-4795
  • CAPCO Head Start Program at Randall School, 607-299-4795    
  • CAPCO Head Start Program at Smith School, 607-299-4795
  • Cortland County Child Development Center, 607-758-9325
  • SUNY Cortland Child Care Center, 607-753-5955
  • YMCA Preschool Plus (Y2), 607-756-2893
  • YWCA Here We Grow, 607-756-6070
Making contact with centers in which you are interested prior to registration is encouraged.
2018-2019 Budget Development
School districts, like any business, are always working on their budgets. Our budget planning for 2018-19 has been underway since the fall. At each meeting, the Board focuses on one segment of the overall budget. Updates about expenditures and revenue are also shared at every meeting.

School budgets are never easy, and our budget in Cortland is particularly challenging. A number of factors make it difficult to balance our budget. Just like you do at home, we have to balance the revenue that comes in with the expenditures that go out.

On the expenditure side of the equation, we work hard to control our expenses. Unions have agreed to less expensive health care plans which helps keep expenditures down. We’ve also been trying to rightsize our staff by not replacing some positions when a teacher retires. We’ve been reducing our energy costs through modern equipment and better management. We’re maximizing our use of state and federal grants. Nonetheless, the expenses we have trimmed are not enough to keep up with the overall increases in health insurance, retirement contributions, and other costs. Because of the way that the tax cap works, the District has not been able to increase the revenue stream from the community. No new property tax revenue has been generated since 2015-16.

In order to make up the difference, the Board has been using its reserves. As we all know, you can only make withdrawals from savings for so long before it catches up with you. That’s where we are now. Our use of reserves to cover the cost of business, year after year, has earned a moderate fiscal stress designation, according to the NYS Fiscal Stress Monitoring System. Since the 2014-15 school year we have utilized nearly half of our savings accounts to cover expenses. This is not a sustainable practice. Major steps have to be taken to get us to a better financial position.

The Governor's proposal for 2018-19 indicates that we will receive an additional 1.2% in foundation aid which is far less than the expense increases we expect. If the State’s foundation aid was fully funded for 2018-19, as it should be, we would be receiving an additional $1.7 million in aid which would allow us to balance our budget without utilizing reserves.
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