October Message from the USD 224 Superintendent
by Brian Pekarek
“Murphy’s Law” states that “If there is anything that could go
wrong, it will go wrong.” Some people might choose to look at the
education finance situation from Topeka in this way, but others
(myself included) see it differently. In the October USD 224
Superintendent Message, I will discuss the recent information that
we have heard regarding our state-wide budget cuts, and the
proactive vision that USD 224 has for a very progressive future for
the Clifton-Clyde School District.
Bad News from
Topeka: Many of you may have heard about the sometimes
on-going news about school budget cuts for the school districts
serving our students in Kansas. The news coming out of Topeka about
this subject always seems to be bad, and the effects are most felt
in rural Kansas school districts where school enrollment continues
to slowly drop. Recently, after talking to our state senators and
state representatives, we found out that school districts in Kansas
may expect a $185 Million cut in funding for this year, and could
expect as much as $585 Million cut in state funding for preK-12 for
next year. If this is true, we would be looking at a $770 Million
decrease in school funding at this same time next year.
Thinking
Proactively about the Future of USD 224: Although the
latest news about school finance does not look good for any school
district in the state, this situation gives the USD 224 School
District and Board a chance to proactively look for solutions and
re-think previously held notions about how we spend our money and
what we value. In effect, it has caused us to “think outside of the
box” and proactively plan ahead for the future, instead of waiting
for the cuts to happen.
USD 224: Keeping
the Focus on Vision for the Future: As a district and a
school board, we are acting now in order to get ready for these
possible cuts and plan ahead for the future. As a district, we are
using our USD 224 District Goals in order to drive our direction in
this manner and cause us to proactively evaluate our vision of the
future. This will allow us to see if our spending is aligned with
our vision and cause us to change our spending habits if necessary.
This will cause us to eliminate waste that is not in-line with our
future goals as a district.
USD 224 Energy
Savings for the Long-Run: The USD 224 Board and District
also have a commitment to energy savings and energy conservation.
The district’s “energy audit” through Trane Energy is a proactive
step in the right direction. The energy audit will allow us to see
where in the district we could save money by updating facilities
and making them more eco-friendly. Not only will the savings
eventually pay for themselves in lower utility rates for water,
electricity, and gas, but the move will have a more lasting effect
as well. A move to update buildings and save money in the long-run
will show the community that the USD 224 Schools are planning to
stay in the area for a long time.
USD 224 Grant
Funding for the Long-Run: Another proactive move of the
district is based on the USD 224 District Goal of “accessing
non-traditional funding” in order to off-set some of our dynamic
capital outlay and general fund projects. In order to reach this
end, the district teachers, directors, and administration of USD
224 are each asked to apply for at least one educational grant this
year. The USD 224 Staff members will be assisted by the USD 224
Grant Coordinator (Connie Winter) and two local grant writers in
the area as well. Again, not only is the district seeing this step
as proactive because it “accesses non-traditional funding”, but it
is proactive because the grants (and the projects that come from
the grants) show the community about the health of our schools, the
vision that we have, and the commitment we have to the community
for the long-term. (Although we are starting this year with a goal
of acquiring $100,000 in grant money, we have already gained nearly
$30,000 in funds through grants and gifts by October 1st.) As years
pass, and as our staff gets more familiar with grant-writing each
year, the amount of money that can be acquired through the use of
grants may increase even more, and offset other spending.
USD 224 Working
with Other School Districts in the Future: Not only does
USD 224 have to look within our district’s boundaries for the
answers to solve the problems in the future, we also must reach out
and work collectively with other districts. In this way, the USD
224 Board and District may want to pursue working relationships
with other districts in the area where services, personnel, and /or
curriculum could be shared. This would allow both districts to
benefit.
In
Conclusion: I believe that the USD 224 Board and
District has a very proactive vision for the future of the
Clifton-Clyde School District and the students we serve. We will be
deliberate in our planning for the future and decisive in our
action in order to keep our focus on the vision and goals of the
district. By doing this, it gives us specific direction so that we
can effectively guide our school district through the maze of
budgetary cuts whenever and/or wherever they may come in the
future.
If you have any questions regarding the vision of USD 224
Clifton-Clyde Schools, you are always welcome to contact me anytime
at 785-445-3313.
It is an honor to serve the Clifton and Clyde communities as
your Superintendent of Schools.
Sincerely,
Brian Pekarek
USD 224 Superintendent
Clifton-Clyde School District
bpekarek@usd224.com
785-445-3313
