The Radford High School Foundation has announced grant awards totaling nearly $12,000 through the Campaign for Continuing Excellence. The following teachers received awards for classroom projects: McHarg- Stephanie Shull, Gloria Boyd, Jennifer Presley, Sandy Findley, Blenna Patterson and Carolyn Wojtera; Belle Heth- Angela Thompson, Valerie Rogers, Michelle Schafer, Sandy Findley, Darlene Lane, Fay Bowen, Barbara Shomo, Kelly Wheeler, Suzy Miller, Heather Rowland, Angela Davis and Anne Rehak; DIS- Kristy Bryant, Amy Ramsey, Lee Slusher and Palma Clark; RHS- Dianne Wallace, Tina Tapp, Roxie Reed, Pam Pappas, Mack Williams and Wendy Gilmer.
In addition, the RHS Foundation awarded grants totaling $850 to the following staff members through the Carilion Health and Wellness Fund: Tammy Weston, Becky Daniels, Jennifer Porter, Toni Wright-Franklin and John Pierce.
We are extremely appreciative of the yearly support offered by the RHS Foundation. In addition to the classroom grants program, the organization sponsors several scholarships awarded to RHS students each spring.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Board Adopts Budget
At its meeting on March 23, the Radford City School Board adopted the 2010-11 school division budget. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the budget development process this year was especially difficult as state revenue forecasts very early on indicated that funding for education was going to be cut significantly. So, it was no surprise when our actual budget numbers came in from the General Assembly. How much was cut?
In terms of operating funds alone, the adopted budget reflects a decrease of $895,424 from the 2009-10 budget. In order to close the gap, the Board left seven positions vacated through retirement or resignation unfilled for the 2010-11 school year. Leaving these positions unfilled will require a reassignment of some staff within the division. Line items involving travel, maintenance materials and supplies, and capital outlay were reduced for the second consecutive year. The final portion of the reduction was accomplished by applying significantly reduced VA Retirement System rates. In addition to our operating fund, budgets for textbooks, food service, grants, and capital projects will also be reduced.
Development of a budget with cuts of this magnitude requires a collaboration between individual schools and departments within the school division. Each school administrator and each director was requested to come to the table with suggested cuts to be presented to the board. Each member of our division leadership team contributed significantly to the process by providing solutions to our funding deficit. Throughout the process, our primary concern was meeting the needs of our students. As a result, we were able to collectively propose a budget that minimized the impact on children. This is certainly not an ideal budget, but one that we can live with under difficult circumstances.
While other school divisions are dealing with cuts from both the Commonwealth and the locality, we are very fortunate that the City of Radford has held firm in its commitment to our school system. I have communicated often with our City Manager, David Ridpath, regarding the state of the overall budget for the city. Even though Mr. Ridpath has shared that the city is expecting less money as well, he has recommended that City Council fund our schools at the same level as past years. For that, we are extremely appreciative.
As supporters of our schools, we certainly want you to know and understand our budget situation for the 2010-11 school year. While many of our citizens are "tightening their belts", your school system is doing the same. As always, thank you for all that you do to support our school system.
In terms of operating funds alone, the adopted budget reflects a decrease of $895,424 from the 2009-10 budget. In order to close the gap, the Board left seven positions vacated through retirement or resignation unfilled for the 2010-11 school year. Leaving these positions unfilled will require a reassignment of some staff within the division. Line items involving travel, maintenance materials and supplies, and capital outlay were reduced for the second consecutive year. The final portion of the reduction was accomplished by applying significantly reduced VA Retirement System rates. In addition to our operating fund, budgets for textbooks, food service, grants, and capital projects will also be reduced.
Development of a budget with cuts of this magnitude requires a collaboration between individual schools and departments within the school division. Each school administrator and each director was requested to come to the table with suggested cuts to be presented to the board. Each member of our division leadership team contributed significantly to the process by providing solutions to our funding deficit. Throughout the process, our primary concern was meeting the needs of our students. As a result, we were able to collectively propose a budget that minimized the impact on children. This is certainly not an ideal budget, but one that we can live with under difficult circumstances.
While other school divisions are dealing with cuts from both the Commonwealth and the locality, we are very fortunate that the City of Radford has held firm in its commitment to our school system. I have communicated often with our City Manager, David Ridpath, regarding the state of the overall budget for the city. Even though Mr. Ridpath has shared that the city is expecting less money as well, he has recommended that City Council fund our schools at the same level as past years. For that, we are extremely appreciative.
As supporters of our schools, we certainly want you to know and understand our budget situation for the 2010-11 school year. While many of our citizens are "tightening their belts", your school system is doing the same. As always, thank you for all that you do to support our school system.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
AP Scholar Recognitions
Fifteen current and recently graduated Radford High School students are among 18 percent of AP students across the nation, who were recognized this fall for their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement Examinations.
The College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP) offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses in high school and earn potential college credit for successful performance on the AP Exams.
Three Radford High School students qualified for the Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are: Amy Hill, Rick Kellerman, and Malik Mubeen.
Six students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are: Brandon Creger, Jake Giesen, Sanjay Kishore, Abby Lacy, Brittany Smith, and Arielle Weisbord.
The College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP) offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses in high school and earn potential college credit for successful performance on the AP Exams.
Three Radford High School students qualified for the Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students are: Amy Hill, Rick Kellerman, and Malik Mubeen.
Six students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are: Brandon Creger, Jake Giesen, Sanjay Kishore, Abby Lacy, Brittany Smith, and Arielle Weisbord.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Budget Update
On February 17, Governor McDonnell made public his proposal for reducing Virginia's budget. The Governor's plan calls for public education to be cut $731 million over the next two years. Cuts of this nature are potentially devastating to public school divisions throughout the Commonwealth. As various media outlets have reported, our school divisions must resort to cutting personnel in order to meet the drastic budget deficits that we are facing.
When the House of Delegates and Senate released their respective budgets last week, there was some positive news as the cuts do not appear as drastic; although, still significant. The House proposed reductions of $620 million while the Senate suggested cuts of $133 million. Regardless of the final outcome from the General Assembly, it is inevitable that our funding will be reduced for the next two years. The extent of those cuts is unknown at this point.
When the House of Delegates and Senate released their respective budgets last week, there was some positive news as the cuts do not appear as drastic; although, still significant. The House proposed reductions of $620 million while the Senate suggested cuts of $133 million. Regardless of the final outcome from the General Assembly, it is inevitable that our funding will be reduced for the next two years. The extent of those cuts is unknown at this point.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Snow Day Discussions
Some of the most difficult decisions faced by school division administrators each year are related to school closings and delays related to inclement weather. This year has seen an inordinate amount of snowfall in the Commonwealth and school divisions are scrambling to ensure students receive the required amount of instruction. Decisions are made based on road conditions as well as the conditions around our schools. While localities concentrate on clearing roadways, our staff works to remove snow/ice from sidewalks and parking lots. So…what are the requirements you might ask?
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that students attend school for 180 days or 990 instructional hours. Each year, RCPS builds a calendar that meets both requirements. In order to meet the minimum number of instructional hours, students need to attend school 5.5 hours per day. Our schools actually exceed the minimum number of hours by twenty minutes per day. Over the course of the year, our decision to exceed the minimum number of instructional hours on a daily basis allows us to bank nearly 10 days. These bank days are used when we miss school or have delayed openings due to inclement weather. As a result, we often do not go to school for 180 days, but we do meet the requirement of 990 instructional hours.
As of February 15, we have exceeded the number of bank days in our calendar. Therefore, we will be required to make up missed days in the future. April 1, which was scheduled as a teacher workday, will now be a regular school day for students. Additional days, if missed, will also be taken from the scheduled Spring Break.
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that students attend school for 180 days or 990 instructional hours. Each year, RCPS builds a calendar that meets both requirements. In order to meet the minimum number of instructional hours, students need to attend school 5.5 hours per day. Our schools actually exceed the minimum number of hours by twenty minutes per day. Over the course of the year, our decision to exceed the minimum number of instructional hours on a daily basis allows us to bank nearly 10 days. These bank days are used when we miss school or have delayed openings due to inclement weather. As a result, we often do not go to school for 180 days, but we do meet the requirement of 990 instructional hours.
As of February 15, we have exceeded the number of bank days in our calendar. Therefore, we will be required to make up missed days in the future. April 1, which was scheduled as a teacher workday, will now be a regular school day for students. Additional days, if missed, will also be taken from the scheduled Spring Break.
Monday, February 1, 2010
2010-11 Budget Outlook
As we begin second semester of the 2009-10 school year, our thoughts will soon turn to warmer weather, graduation and summer vacations. Although we all look forward to the various signs of spring, there is still much work to be done during this school year.
As students and staff continue their hard work in our schools, the School Board and I are in the midst of developing a budget for the 2010-11 school year. News from Richmond continues to be bleak as it relates to funding for public education. With the continued struggles in our economy, we all have been faced with decisions about how to spend our money. Our school division is no exception. Over the next several months, the School Board will be engaged in what will be a very difficult budget process.
While last year’s budget development process was also difficult, we received a reprieve when President Obama’s stimulus package was passed by Congress. As a result, our school division received nearly $615,000 most of which was used to maintain our staff. Unfortunately, the second half of the stimulus money, which was to be received next year, has been used to offset continued losses during this fiscal year. Even with the stimulus money available this year, our 2009-10 budget is nearly $400,000 less than the 2008-09 spending plan.
Our initial planning for the 2010-11 budget began in December when former Governor Kaine released his proposed budget for the next biennium. The proposal included additional cuts of approximately $393,000 for Radford City Schools. The first budget draft presented to the Board on January 26 includes cuts of nearly $191,000, and does not include staff reductions. While all of the cuts ultimately impact the quality of our school system, the School Board has committed to maintaining our current staff, and to protecting programs for students. The commitment to staff and programs will make the next round of reductions very difficult.
Even with the bleak economic forecast for the foreseeable future, please know that we stand committed to providing the best possible education for our students. Radford City Schools has always been recognized for quality education and we will continue on our path of excellence.
As students and staff continue their hard work in our schools, the School Board and I are in the midst of developing a budget for the 2010-11 school year. News from Richmond continues to be bleak as it relates to funding for public education. With the continued struggles in our economy, we all have been faced with decisions about how to spend our money. Our school division is no exception. Over the next several months, the School Board will be engaged in what will be a very difficult budget process.
While last year’s budget development process was also difficult, we received a reprieve when President Obama’s stimulus package was passed by Congress. As a result, our school division received nearly $615,000 most of which was used to maintain our staff. Unfortunately, the second half of the stimulus money, which was to be received next year, has been used to offset continued losses during this fiscal year. Even with the stimulus money available this year, our 2009-10 budget is nearly $400,000 less than the 2008-09 spending plan.
Our initial planning for the 2010-11 budget began in December when former Governor Kaine released his proposed budget for the next biennium. The proposal included additional cuts of approximately $393,000 for Radford City Schools. The first budget draft presented to the Board on January 26 includes cuts of nearly $191,000, and does not include staff reductions. While all of the cuts ultimately impact the quality of our school system, the School Board has committed to maintaining our current staff, and to protecting programs for students. The commitment to staff and programs will make the next round of reductions very difficult.
Even with the bleak economic forecast for the foreseeable future, please know that we stand committed to providing the best possible education for our students. Radford City Schools has always been recognized for quality education and we will continue on our path of excellence.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Welcome to the Superintendent's Blog
With new and improved technologies, it is becoming easier for information between home and school to be communicated. For several years, RCPS has published a School Days newsletter three times a year as a means to communicate important information to our parents as well as our community. While print media still plays an important role in our society, many people have turned to online resources for daily information. It is my hope that this blog will serve as another opportunity for our community to stay informed about our successes as a school division as well as the issues that we are facing. I invite you to check the Superintendent's Blog regularly for information as well as an informal means for communication with me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
