Report from World Cafe

lrzollo — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:07:06 +0000

World Café Results

Background
The Germantown Central School District is at a crossroads. Without dramatic changes, the district projects a $2 million deficit by the 2013-2014 school year. In response, the Board of Education is seeking community input as it prepares a budget and weighs decisions about the future.

Event Details
On February 1, 2012, the Germantown Board welcomed the public to a World Café forum held in the elementary school gym. The event, facilitated by Questar III Assistant Superintendent Dr. Andrew DeFeo, was attended by approximately 180 people, including parents, community members, teachers, Superintendent Patrick J. Gabriel, Jr. and Assemblyman Peter D. Lopez.

Participants were asked to respond to four different questions designed to foster discussion about the district’s education program. At the conclusion of the table discussions, participants were asked to indicate which ideas were most important for them (through a ranking process).

Summary notes from Question #1
What are the essential programs and services for Germantown students you would like to see continued?

A high quality educational experience, including Advanced Placement and courses for college credit. Opportunities through distance learning and sharing programs with Columbia-Greene Community College and Bard College would enhance learning.
Streamline administrative services, including sharing a superintendent with another district, or moving to a single K-12 principal.
Continued excellence in academic intervention and special education services as well a strong reading program in the primary grades.
Technology as an integral part of the school environment.
Computer courses for district students.
Vocational training through Questar III is valued; the community would like to see it take place at Germantown Central Schools.
Create combined teams with other districts to reduce costs and continue to offer diverse athletic opportunities.
Maintain kindergarten programming.

Summary notes from Question #2
What is the full range of options the district should examine with neighboring districts?

Share teachers, AP classes, and art and music programs with surrounding districts – the community values academic options and creative arts programs.
Streamline administrative services by sharing principals, a superintendent and administrative staff – this could realize savings while preserving the Germantown identity.
Investigate sharing of all types of services for possible cost savings: librarian, occupational therapy, physical therapy, guidance, maintenance, snow plowing, food service, transportation, mental health, business officer, technology support, payroll and school psychologist.
Investigate merging with another district. However, many community members want to ensure that any possible merger discussions are with districts that are a good fit. School culture is important to the community and many indicated that Hudson or Catskill would not be the right fit for Germantown. In addition, the board could examine a county-wide or a magnet school system.
To maintain sports, investigate sharing sports teams, training camps and special events.
Look to tuition in children from other districts and other school districts and counties.
Examine the possibility of developing a partnership with Columbia-Greene Community College. Expand course offerings through CGCC, Bard College.
To reduce transportation costs, have parents transport their children if they are suspended.
Reduce spending on energy through bulk purchasing.
Search for grant alternatives to offset energy costs in the district budget.
Discuss transforming Germantown into a K-8 building and tuition out high school students to Red Hook, but only if the entire Germantown building would continue to be fully utilized.
To limit tax increases on retirees and property owners who do not have children in the district, charge an additional fee to those whose children attend Germantown.
Join together with surrounding school districts to lobby the state for increased aid.

Summary notes from Question #3
If it becomes necessary to propose a tax levy increase greater than the property tax levy limit, how will the community respond? What would the community support? What are the alternatives?

The community needs to have a clear understanding of short-term versus long-term goals.
Keep extracurricular sports as an option for students, but ask parents to pay for their child to participate.
With the rising cost of health care, pursue less expensive options and have teachers pay a higher percentage of their premiums.
Re-evaluate school personnel contracts due to the financial reality.
Pay higher tax to Germantown than pay to another district (to maintain our sense of identity).
Direct referendum about what cuts are to be made in the budget – in particular regarding staff reduction and administrative reduction.
Return portions of Red Hook CSD to Germantown CSD.
Shift to a compressed school week to cut costs.
Pursue alternative funding sources, especially grant funding.

Summary notes from Question #4
Are there innovative options or new educational models we should consider to break free from the traditional school that we have known?

Distance learning.
Renewable energy program.
Reduce transportation costs by reducing bus runs or using smaller buses or vans.
Streamline administrative services by creating a county-wide superintendent model.
Pursue e-readers or kindles as an alternative to traditional textbooks.
Privatize the school or shift to a union-free school district.
Look at a three-year high school program to reduce costs.
Study the possibility of internships or job training with 6 months of school work and 6 months of on-the-job training.

Order your 2012 Clipper Yearbook!

lrzollo — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:43:17 +0000

The 2012 Clipper Yearbook is now on sale! We are taking presale orders for spring delivery. The price is $48.00. You may make checks payable to: Germantown Yearbook Committee. Payments may be made to Yearbook teacher Mr. Del Pozzo. You may email him with any questions at: mdelpozzo@germantowncsd.org

Link for online Yearbook Orders: http://jostensyearbooks.com?REF=A05443100

Attention Parents/ Guardians of graduating seniors:

The Yearbook is currently accepting “parent ads” for that section of the 2012 Yearbook. You may take out an ad congratulating your future graduate. You may create the ad yourself and email it to Mr. Del Pozzo, or give us the information/ photos and we will create the ad for you. The deadline for submitting an ad is February 13^th. Email completed ads to: mdelpozzo@germantowncsd.org as a jpeg. The prices are listed below:

1/8 page(bus. Card) $65

¼ page $100

½ page $165

Full page $300

Introducing eAlerts

lrzollo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:59:37 +0000

Sign up for District Alerts to receive emails from Germantown Central School and stay informed. You will receive emails on Topics of Interest from the Superintendent, notice of special district meetings, Board of Education agendas, as well as various other District news such as the current budgetary challenges.

After selecting the District Alerts link please type in your name and the email address to send the alerts. You will receive an email confirmation in your inbox. You can unsubscribe to this list at any time.

Recent News Articles for Germantown Central School District

Report from World Cafe

Order your 2012 Clipper Yearbook!

Introducing eAlerts