January 11, 2012

Board Continues to Consider FY 2013 Budget

The D123 administration continues to refine reduction scenarios in an effort to reduce the FY 2013 budget by $1.2 million. The board reviewed the most recent reduction scenario, and discussions will continue at the January 30, 2012 board of education business meeting. The greatest impacting factor on revenue, CPI, will be released next week, and this finalized figure will provide the administration and board of education the opportunity to plan firm revenue assumptions as they move toward final budget recommendations for FY 2013.

To view the schedule of upcoming budget planning meetings, please click here.

Brandt Facility Update

Due to a delay in an inspection from the state Fire Marshall and a state review of programming, the occupancy of the Brandt School facility by Parkland Preparatory Academy will be tentatively moved to mid-August. Details of the delayed occupancy will continue to be discussed by the administration, prospective tenant, and the board of education moving forward in an effort to reach an agreement that will meet the interests of all parties. The rental of the Brandt facility brings the opportunity for the district to realize significant revenues, and thus will continue to help maintain funding to protect programming and class sizes throughout the district.

2012-2013 Proposed School Calendar

The board continued to discuss the proposed 2012-2013 school calendar. The new calendar reduces the number of student attendance half days from six to three. The proposed calendar also adds seven, one hour late start dates. The late start date convention has been utilized by the middle school for the past six years with excellent success. Employing the late start dates allows the district to provide necessary staff development opportunities in a continued effort to improve the learning environment for students. With the reduction of half day attendance dates, the 2012-2013 proposed calendar increases the total number of minutes students will be in attendance even with the addition of the seven, one hour late start dates. The board of education will continue discussing the calendar with official action not expected until the March board meeting. The proposed 2012-2013 school calendar can be viewed here.

Parent Purchase Program to Begin this Month

Chief Information Officer, Ben Grey, shared the final timeline for implementing the netbook parent purchase program. Beginning January 23, 2012, parents of students in grades five through eight will have the opportunity to take part in the purchase program. More details about the program can be found here. Specific information about the program, including costs and where to obtain the necessary paperwork, will be sent home with students over the next week. Any questions about the program can be directed to Mr. Grey by emailing him at [email protected]