Decision to Flip Start Times for High School and Middle School

NOTE: The decision to flip start times for high school and middle school was a majority vote, and there are parliamentary standards and OCPS school board policies that define school board conduct regarding official statements and official positions. Based on this decision, the superintendent and principals are implementing this change in very creative and dynamic ways. In a public meeting this week, Florida Commissioner of Education, Eric Smith, complimented the school district on this decision for its potential fiscal and educational benefits.

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Thank you to all who have expressed their support for the decision to flip start times for middle school and high school. I recognize that there are many who are discouraged by my decision to support the superintendent in this recommendation, but I feel without a doubt that we can all work through this together and that we will be stronger for it.

This was not an easy decision by any means. I did not take it lightly and I did my homework. I read and answered all emails, considered all input from emails and conversations, met with the superintendent's staff, weighed all information, considered various scenarios, and requested that community partners be notified of a potential change, that principals be surveyed on positives and negatives, and that shared concerns be addressed. Finally, at the school board meeting held on Tuesday, May 13th, I considered the superintendent's proposal and listened to those who spoke both for and against it. I voted to support the superintendent's proposal. It was approved by a majority of school board members.

This proposal came out of the budgeting process in which all departments were required to make budget cuts or determine efficiencies. This is an efficiency because it saves tax dollars every year. Savings in non-classroom areas mean more dollars stay in the classroom- where all teaching and learning take place. Our first priority must always be education. Earning a high school diploma is critical to future success. The classroom therefore must drive all decision-making.

Faced with a projected $70 million revenue shortfall, the Superintendent directed every department to cut their budgets by 7%. Schools were directed to cut their budgets by 6%. Among large urban school districts in the state of Florida, we are the most efficient (FY 2006-07 Educational Funding Accountability Act Summary). Therefore, along with the many mandates and regulations, there is not much wiggle room in our budgets to make significant cuts like these. Over 600 of our newest teachers were not re-appointed. So while some think that we are cutting into "fat", we are actually cutting into "bone." This is the beginning of tough budgetary times, and I felt that the risk of what might be cut instead was too high. There was a suggestion that we tap into contingency reserves to cover what would be a recurring expense. This is not an acceptable business practice and I believe would be imprudent.

Although the overall class day length will not change, many high schools will have seven periods this year, and some will have a zero period (before the official start of school) so that students can accumulate credits and have more time for electives. While some school districts are cutting middle school and/or junior varsity sports, although some sports will have to make more adjustments than others, we will be able to maintain the integrity of athletics in Orange County. The arts are also being reviewed so that the integrity of chorus, band, orchestra and drama is also maintained. Clubs and other activities will be able to shift to morning hours as an option.

We currently have after-school programs in all of our middle schools through partnerships with Orange County and our municipalities. They, along with the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs, are aware of the shift and are working to adjust their schedules. This shift will probably mean that more children will be taking advantage of these opportunities. These programs include activities such as chess and domino clubs, science and math clubs, sports, arts, tutoring and homework help. Middle school sports and clubs that meet now in the mornings will be able to meet in the afternoons instead.

Change is difficult, but we have all seen in our lives that opportunities inevitably arise from it. I ask everyone to try to be positive and look for those opportunities. It is a good example to set for our children. They will see many changes throughout their lives and will need to re-invent themselves over the course of their lifetimes to adapt to our ever-changing economy and world. Let's support and empower them to use their natural ingenuity and team approach to offer their own creative and effective solutions to those already being developed in our schools.

On the home page of the OCPS website- www.ocps.net -find information about this approved change and this year's budget.

"The School Start Time Study effectively reveals that high school students can benefit from later school start times. While the concept that teenagers have a distinctly different sleep pattern was first recognized by medical research findings, it is only through examination of actual cases where these findings were used as a basis to change school policies that educators can understand the ramifications of making such a change. The case studies done by Wahlstrom and her colleagues (at the University of Minnesota) provide research-based information for school districts across the United States who are now seeking to make informed decisions for their own communities."

See http://cehd.umn.edu/pubs/ResearchWorks/sleep.html

Strong Leadership Needed in Tough Times

What is the condition of state funding for public education in the state of Florida?

Funding for public education in the state of Florida is declining. There have been recent changes in the tax structure, and more changes to be presented to Florida's voters in the November 2008 election. These are the result of intensifying political trends that will likely lead to long-term volatility in the flow of public funds to our public schools.

Our public schools are currently funded by property tax collected locally known as the "required local effort" (RLE) and state revenues (derived mainly from sales tax; there are hundreds of business and industry exemptions). These combined revenues are re-allocated to school districts by the state through an equitable formula within what is called the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). This is the first time in several decades that local revenues will surpass state revenues in support of public education, although the state constitution states that the legislature must provide adequate funds for a "uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools."

Lottery dollars, touted years ago as a supplement for public schools, were instead used as a replacement for existing allocations. In Orange County, lottery dollars now pay for approximately one day of operations over a year's time.

The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission is an appointed state board that sidesteps the legislative process to bring proposed constitutional revisions directly to the voters. In their recent session, they reached consensus on a number of proposals. Two are related to public school financing-*Eliminate the "required local effort" (RLE) and require the legislature to replace it with a higher sales tax of up to 1 per cent, repeals of sales tax exemptions , budget cuts in other areas of the state budget, and/or other revenues. (Sales tax revenues are much more volatile than property tax revenues and there has not been much inclination to reduce exemptions.) *Require that school districts spend 65% in the classroom (to be defined year to year by the legislature instead of local school districts). (Orange County Public Schools is already very close to 65%, and is over 80% when school administrators, technology, professional development and other classroom-related allocations are included.) This will be tied-in the same proposal-to a provision to amend the constitution to allow public dollars to go directly to religious entities and sectarian institutions. (Opens door to publicly funded vouchers for parochial and private schools, without provision for accountability.)

These are very serious and challenging times. World-class, high-quality public schools require stable and adequate funding. When voters see such provisions on the ballot, it is essential that they be fully informed. Sometimes proposals sound good, but carry great risk for our children's education.

At this juncture, when our schools have made such progress, we need strong leadership to maintain our momentum toward becoming "the top producer of successful students in the nation." Intense focus on our strategic vision, ability to make equitable, fiscally responsible decisions and vigilance in protecting access to a rich, high-quality education for all children are essential. I have proven my ability to serve in this way, and pledge to continue to serve in this way as we move into these challenging times. I have developed the knowledge, experience, courage, passion and integrity to be the kind of public servant our children need on their side. I have fought for our children over the last four years, and I will continue to fight for them. Their education is too important, too critical, to do otherwise. Once a child is educated and has the spark needed for life-long learning, it can never be taken away.

We must all stand together to protect our children's education, and advocate for stable and adequate funding for our public schools. Our children deserve it, our economy needs it, and our society demands it. High-quality public schools are the foundation of our democracy. They are the vehicle for achieving the American Dream.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."