Editor’s note: This is an Q&A written by the Albert Lea Area Schools administration about the proposed adjusted calendar, otherwise dubbed a balanced calendar. With editing for newspaper style, the Tribune is reprinting it in the interest of sharing public information on a key community matter. The next hearing on the calendar is slated for 7 p.m. Oct. 14 at Albert Lea High School.

 

Q: Why has the district hired a consultant to assist with the community forums?

A: The calendar issue is something that will impact the entire community. The board is being very deliberate in its approach. Since this has the potential to be an emotional issue with some folks, the district felt it would be prudent to hire an independent person to advise the board on the process and guide the meetings.

Q: Why is the district spending money on surveying the community and the use of the consultant?

A: The school board wants to ensure voices are heard in a productive manner. The survey helped provide more of a communitywide perspective on this issue. Since this was the third survey with the same firm over the last 12 years, it also provided the board good long-term data on the direction the district is heading.

Q: Why were not more parents surveyed?

A: The survey was scientific in nature and matched the demographics of the community. Parents have an opportunity to voice their opinion at our community forums or by contacting board members directly. On a side note, the largest support for the balanced calendar came from our demographic of 18- to 44-year-olds, who might have children who are not yet school-aged and therefore would not be considered a school-aged parent. Survey results indicate 70 percent of that group supports the idea of a balanced calendar.

Q: How much money was spent on the survey and consultant for community meetings?

A: The consultant fees for travel, document preparation, consulting and leading the meetings were $8,600. The scientific survey cost $15,000.

Q: Are we going to need another referendum for all the spending choices the district administration is making?

A: The Albert Lea School District is one of the best managed districts in the state. Since 2009 the district has the following cost savings:

Funded heating-and-cooling upgrade project in six buildings at 0 percent interest through access to federal funding mechanism, saving taxpayers $3,383,000.

Because of our energy conservation program, we have seen a savings of $2.8 million in energy operational costs since the programs inception in 2004. The district has saved $1.47 million since 2009.

Refunded high school building bonds at a lower rate in 2013, lowering taxes $1.14 million.

Reduction in transportation contract of $265,000 annually for 2011-12, and 2012-13. District also procured 28 new buses in the contract.

Reduction in copy machine fees $23,000 annually.

Rebid life insurance for $28,000 in annual savings.

Renewed the operating levy after seven years without asking the voters for an increase.

Earned an A1 bond rating from Moody’s Investment Service, allowing district to borrow at better rates.

We have also negotiated fair contracts with our employees that focus on compensating current employees, and reducing exposure to long-term expenses to those employees no longer working for the district. We remain good fiscal stewards, as this year’s proposed levy increases demonstrate:

 

2014 proposed levy 

City of Albert Lea up 3 percent

Freeborn County up 4 percent

Austin Public Schools up 5.5 percent

Rochester Public Schools up 17 percent

Albert Lea Area Schools down 1.3 percent

 

Q: Why is the district not spending its money reducing student class sizes and overcrowding?

A: We have some of the lowest student-teacher ratios in Minnesota in our elementary classrooms. Districtwide for K-3, the student to teacher ratio is 21 students to 1 teacher. In grades 4 and 5, our current average is 27:1 or less, and we target 30:1 at the secondary level. Because of high school schedule conflicts, a handful courses at the high school are closer to the mid-30s, while others are in the low 20s.

Q: Why is the district constantly moving teachers around?

A: One of the things that we want to guarantee our students is the same curriculum regardless of what building they attend. A few years back, the district had a decentralized approach to education. Individual elementary buildings had different approaches toward instruction. Minutes of instruction were different by subject area depending on what building a student was in. When the district realigned in 2012 by moving the eighth grade to the high school, and the sixth grade to the middle school, the district took the opportunity to reshape the elementary program of instruction. Many teachers were moved throughout the district, and a centralized approach was taken toward educating our students. Because many teachers were new in their buildings, there was not a regular practice of doing things, and a consistent curriculum was adopted much quicker. There has been minimal movement of teachers since that time.

Q: We hear that majority of teachers are against the calendar, yet the union supported it. How can this be?

A: Teachers were surveyed as part of an end-of-year survey at the building level in May 2014. Survey results were shared with the school board at its regular meeting in June, and with senior leadership of the Albert Lea Education Association a few weeks ago.

Teachers were asked the following questions related to the calendar:

Albert Lea Area Schools is studying the concept of a balanced calendar in 2015-16. From an educational perspective, please rate your level of support on this concept:

53 percent extremely supportive/supportive 32 percent neutral

15 percent against/extremely against

Teachers were asked the same question from a personal angle:

47 percent extremely support/supportive 33 percent neutral

20 percent against/extremely against

The ALEA executive council is the elected body that represents over 270 members of the ALEA: In September, its senior leadership met with the district administration to go through a number of questions related to the proposed calendar. At the regular school board meeting on Sept. 22, ALEA came out with the following statement:

“The Albert Lea Education Association supports the proposed 2015-2017 calendars because of the potential impact these calendars could have on increased student engagement and achievement. We look forward to working with the district administrators in their implementation.”

Q: Why will no principals move to the district and why can’t the district keep principals?

A: Four principals have retired since 2010. Two principals have come to Albert Lea, and then moved to larger districts. One principal was non-renewed. One principal came to Albert Lea, and then became a superintendent. Two principals commute from Northfield where they have lived most of their professional lives and have established roots. One principal lives in Owatonna. Of the principals hired this past year, one has moved to town, two already lived in Albert Lea.

 

Read the rest of the questions and answers from this article in the Thursday issue of the Tribune.