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Newly hired Kalispell Public Schools superintendent is eager to get to work
MTN recently had a chance to talk with Matt Jensen, who was selected by the school board on February 5, 2024, to become KPS superintendent. He's currently the assistant superintendent for KPS after being involved in the Bigfork school system for 17 years.
Jensen — who will transition into the superintendent position on July 1 — tells us that once he takes over leadership, he hopes to prioritize the budget, facility upgrades and overcrowding, curriculum, and building a relationship with partner districts.
KPAX: Newly hired Kalispell Public Schools superintendent is eager to get to work
Helena school board discusses budget, facility recommendations
On Tuesday, the audience was full at the Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees meeting, as leaders discussed a set of key recommendations on how to address a projected budget shortfall and catalog the district’s long-term facility needs.
“There’s been a lot of interest, and we’re thankful for that – there needs to be,” said Superintendent Rex Weltz.
Many of those providing public comment Tuesday were parents particularly concerned about two possible reductions: cutting back the PEAK program for gifted and talented education and closing one or more elementary schools. Speakers whose children are in the PEAK program said it’s already suffered since the closure of Ray Bjork Learning Center last year, and that the program has reached their kids in ways others can’t. Parents from Broadwater and Hawthorne Elementary Schools expressed the most concern that their schools could be up for closure, and said the loss of a nearby neighborhood school would have negative impacts outweighing any cost savings.
In January, the budget committee heard the shortfall next school year could range from around $660,000 to more than $4.5 million. Since then, the district has secured almost $1 million in additional revenue, through the approval of three charter school proposals and their deal to rent out some district facilities.
The rest of the uncertainty comes from things like ongoing union negotiations, enrollment figures due to be updated in the coming weeks – and most of all, whether voters approve a series of levy proposals intended to provide funding to offset the drain on the general fund. In the May 7 school election, trustees are set to ask for up to six separate levies: small levies directly to the general fund and larger levies to fund technology and safety and security improvements, each for both the elementary and high school district.
“The surest way to avoid all of these things is to support those levies when you see them on the ballot in May,” said vice-chair Jennifer McKee. “That is how we avoid poring over all of these things – every single thing on that list, every program that's touched by it, every school, all of it, has enormous value.”
Helena Public Schools is far from the only school district in Montana dealing with budget shortfalls, as places like Missoula and Bozeman have reported similar issues in the last year. Both leaders and a number of public commenters said they hoped to see the Montana Legislature take another look at the school funding formula in light of these problems.
KTVH: Helena school board discusses budget, facility recommendations
MCPS to consider potential layoffs: 'Our hearts are extremely heavy'
The district reported that budget shortfalls with grants and the general fund will set the school back roughly $8 million, according to a letter sent from Superintendent Micah Hill to staff last week.
Current plans show a 20-person cut to certified staff at K-8 locations, 13 certified staff at area high schools and 13 staff members in central administration.
The district said it will work to move money around to limit the impact of the cuts, and officials also have four levies planned to increase revenue. But the district warned that cuts were inevitable, with potentially up to 100 eliminations.
One preschool was considered for closure by the district, but the agenda for the meeting said leaders decided against closing any schools.
Worsened by inflation and collective bargaining agreement increases, the agenda states the general fund is down $3 million, while ESSER funding was reduced by $5 million.
The agenda for the meeting said elementary school enrollment has declined by more than 470 students since 2019, while the number of teachers has increased. Area high schools have increased by 400 students, so cuts are more likely to be focused on elementary schools.
The general fund levies would bring in roughly $469,000 annually, while safety levies that fund school resource officers, counselors, behavior interventionists and other safety-related expenses would net $2.5 million.
MCPS to consider potential layoffs: 'Our hearts are extremely heavy'
Guest column: Understanding how education is funded
The “95 mills” we’ve heard about recently are the mechanism to equalize funding across the state so that kids get a quality education regardless of their zip code.
This setup has worked well in the past, but the cost of living has dramatically increased, especially in places like Bozeman. The 2022 median taxable value of a Bozeman home was $448,650, while the median price of a Fort Benton home was $124,450. So how does that impact schools? Labor costs more in places with elevated cost of housing, but as the costs of running schools has increased, the funding for education has not.
The law is holding schools like Bozeman’s back from being able to pay competitive wages. The formula for funding education can’t keep up with inflation when the law caps inflation-based increases at half the average of the 3 previous years. That means when inflation went over 7%, the state funding formula provided only a 2.7% increase across the state for all school budgets. With their hands tied for income, school districts suffer funding levels far lower than the reality of growth, with no way to raise more.
Under these conditions, school budgets are effectively shrinking, with less and less available to fund all the needs of a district like maintenance, utilities, supplies, and teacher salaries.
Bozeman Chronicle: Guest column: Understanding how education is funded
Great Falls high school students create diversity clubs
And as Black History Month continues, a pair of diversity clubs at the schools are coming together and doing their part to promote those ideals.
“With both clubs, we really try to promote diversity and inclusion and try to get everyone involved and make sure everyone feels seen and heard,” said C.M. Russell High School senior Shy Rae Yellow Owl. The club’s advisor is Principal Jamie McGraw.
The Great Falls High group goes by “I M Bison.” Their advisor is Luis Carranza.
“We created this group mainly because there is a lot of minorities here in Great Falls that we wanted to reach out and let them have their voices heard and so we wanted to be very inclusive, but not only just for minorities and culture, but for all different types of backgrounds that may get judged,” said Great Falls High School senior Mariyah Hicks.
KRTV: Great Falls high school students create diversity clubs
news.txt · Last modified: 2024/01/04 05:22 by lmuszkie