RAS Updates and Fountainhead

Sorry for being so delinquent in my posting, I have been very busy at work, at home, and at my Parent's home. The upside is that I am pretty well prepared for a somewhat relaxing week long July 4th vacation.

Besides this I have been somewhat obsessively reading another book by Ayn Rand. This one is named "The Fountainhead". It is similar to "Atlas Shrugged" and yet very different. Both are definitely worth a read, and "The Fountainhead" currently has me thoroughly pulled into it. I'll give you more thoughts when I have finished it.

Warning: If you lean toward Socialistic or very Liberal tendencies, do not read these books. You would likely become very disturbed and have to reconsider your belief system. Or you may slip into denial and rationalization in order to avoid Ayn's brilliance, either way it would not likely work for you. However, if you believe every individual and their efforts matter, you will love it.

As for RAS, below are the links that go with these random thoughts. Read the links and match the thoughts:

• I wish I had attended the 20Apr10 FAC mtg, the minutes are too short and uninformative for what must have been an interesting meeting.
• It looks like RAS did great in teaching math this year and okay in reading.
• It looks like RAS is working to increase the fund balance, which is a good thing.
• I am anxiously awaiting the formal facilities plan. From what I can tell, the status quo is in the lead and creative aggressive action is stalled...
• The enrollment charts are very colorful and sloping consistently.
• How can Union leadership understand the district's financial issues, and the membership not? Seems odd...
• Those MAP slides are so confusing. We did better than who? In which states? Do I care how we did against Mississippi? How did we do against other Minnesota schools/students?
• When do those MCA2's come out?

Any thoughts of your own?

RAS 21Jun10 Agenda
RAS 21Jun10 Minutes
Financial Advisory Council Report
RAS MAP Results News Release
RAS MAP Results Presentation
RAS Enrollment Report
RAS 2010/11 Budget
RAS FAC 20Apr10 Minutes
RAS FAC 18May10 Minutes
RAS Divestiture Committee

Recession a Bad Thing? Revisited

Well, I wrote the following post approximately 1.4 yrs ago.

G2A: Is a Recession a Bad Thing?

What do you think:

• Has the economic hardship been deep enough, long enough and affected enough people to teach the American citizens some important lessons? (ie saving, self reliance, continual improvement, etc)
• Or did the huge National borrowing campaign and stimulation effort teach people to be more dependent on the government and it's "infinitely deep pockets"?
• Or something else entirely?

Thoughts?

Personally I think it was not nearly severe enough, long enough or impacted enough people. The fact that the US Government borrowed excessively to reduce the pain concerns me greatly. Since those "infinitely deep pockets" are actually yours, mine and our children's, and they do have a bottom.... I wonder how many times we can borrow our way out of learning the critical lessons? (one being: spend less than you make/collect...)

Comfort Limits Wealth ?

I recently bought another toy... A 2001 Kawasaki STS 900cc jet ski...

As I researched jet skis, I learned that the basic new version of what I wanted would cost me ~$8,000 after tax and license. And man they looked so nice in the showroom. However after noticing that the typical jet ski seems to clock <20 engine hours per year, there was no way I could part with that extra $5,400 in cash.

This event and some others have had me thinking. Is the fact that I was raised in a conservative upper middle class home a key factor in that I will never be rich and surrounded with the real "nice, new, shiny, in style, etc" things?

I mean, why would I ever strive for that level of wealth, prestige, etc when I have most of the things I really want. What would create that hunger, that willingness to sacrifice my comfort, the willingness be away from my family, work long days, etc? What would make me strive for the newest gadget, that biggest home, that newest decor, etc. So:

• Is good the enemy of great?
• Is middle class a deterrent to wealth?
• Is poverty a promoter of wealth?
• Or does it mean I have a very well balanced life and should keep up the good work?

Here is an article for your consideration. Thoughts?

MSN Rags to World's Richest

RSIS Enrollment Policy

If you are interested, 281 Exposed and myself are having a dialogue regarding the year old Spanish Immersion enrollment process/policy.

281Exposed Lottery or Cherry Picking?

Please feel free to leave your comments here or there, if you have any thoughts to add.

RAS RSIS Policy
RAS 08Sep09 Board Minutes
RAS 08Sep09 Agenda and Linked Docs
RAS 22Sep09 Board Minutes
RAS 22Sep09 Agenda and Linked Docs
RAS RSIS Team and Charter
G2A RSIS Discussion

RAS Alternative Financing

If you don't remember, alternative funding is a technique that larger school districts can use to raise funds without going to the voters. The rationale is good.

How else would a district with many schools get district voters to approve additional taxes to improve one neighborhood school, when most of the citizens are not connected with that school?

Please review the plan linked below so that you understand that our taxes will be higher to pay for the Northport and Lakeview remodels. Then, hopefully all the schools will have been remodelled, sold or torn down. And we will no longer need the Alternative Financing tax.... (right?) RAS Alternative Financing Plan RAS Board Minutes

Please note: this tax could be less if the excess properties were divested of. (G2A Sale Signs) The good news is that it looks like the Divestiture committee is looking at Brokers. (April Minutes)

Please also note in the minutes that Supt Sicoli is officially delaying the sale of Olson and Pilgrim Lane Elementary schools. Apparently RAS has no "Cost of Capital" or "Return on Assets" to worry about. In essence the buildings are therefore apparently free to hold. Well, maybe the property will appreciate?

Thoughts?

14 Interesting Miles

This evening I drove my motorcycle down to an address near Central Ave and Lowry Ave. (ie N Mpls) I was delegated by my father to stop by and research a sail boat he is thinking of buying. Of course, my co-worker felt the need to tease me regarding my safety and if I would be packin... I assured him I would be going during the daylight hours...

Well after looking at the boat, which by the way looks very promising, I decided to do a little sight seeing. By this, I mean that I decided to take Lowry to University to Broadway to County Rd 9 to Larch... (ie skip the highways)

It is a fascinating drive if you are interested in diverse people, places, communities, businesses, etc. I believe this because every one of these subjects changes as you drive. Starting in the traditional / stereotypical N Mpls neighborhoods, passing some of the Mpls re-development, passing the diverse businesses on Broadway, passing the empty buildings, passing N Memorial, passing through the Robbinsdale, Crystal and New Hope communities, and then entering the newer traditional / stereotypical Plymouth/Burbs...

The diversity benefits and challenges are very visible on this 14 mile drive. We just need to remember to look, and remind ourselves that everyone you see is human and trying to do the best they can.

Any advice for this farm boy suburbanite if I go down to pick up the boat?

Other tourist areas I should check out?

Kids: Stay in School

We know that typically College educated people receive more in terms of compensation. Well, it looks like they also receive more in terms of job security....


Washington Post: Unemployment by Education

The Week: Does Washington Care about Unemployment?

I would even go so far as to say that in a knowledge based world, the differential will only grow with time. The rationale is pretty straight forward.

When a company is pressed to layoff personnel, they will typically layoff those folks that are easiest to replace when things turn around. Those that have the most "hard to replace" knowledge are therefore retained, and those with less are cut loose.

Thoughts?

RAS / Education Links

Well, another month has flown by... Here you go...

Star Trib Student's Suffer while Adult's Bicker...
Gov Site Failure by DFL
Jordan Independent Bleak Funding
Star Trib Reader's write
Review Messenger Sleight of Hand
Lake Country It's come to this
Star Trib Educ Reform
Politics in MN: Kills Policy Changes
Star Trib Charter School Succeeding
NY Times Education Bills
MN Monthly Student Drug Use
Speed Inside Information
Speed Class Size
Speed Tenure Alive and Well
Speed New Deal Pt1
Speed Too Big To Fail
Speed HS Out of Date?
Speed RAS Even Year Elections
Speed We Have the Technology
SUN RAS honors volunteers
SUN All the Arts for All the Students
SUN 872 will Graduate
SUN RMS expanding Student's World
281 Exposed For Sale Signs?
281 Exposed RAS Even Year Elections
281 Exposed Obama and Education Funding

Any comments on any of these?

Power of a Positive NO

Well I have not done a book report lately, so it is about time.

The author selected today is William Ury. He authored or co-authored 3 related books on negotiation that have been very popular and successful over many years. My simple test of a good book, is it still on the shelves of Barnes and Noble after 10+ years.

The first he co-authored with Roger Fisher. It was called "Getting to YES - Negotiating Agreement without Giving In". The second was called "Getting Past NO - Negotiating in Difficult Situations". The third and topic of today is called "The Power of a Positive NO - How to say NO and still get to Yes".

He noted that they wrote the first book to help interested and engaged parties find a better solution. Then people were curious what to do when one of the parties is not interested or engaged in finding a solution, so he wrote the second book. Finally he noted that he had missed one leg of the the three legged stool... How can people be their own advocate by standing up for themselves, saying No, and yet maintain a positive long term relationship in most cases? Here are the Stages and Steps:

Stage 1: Prepare

1. Uncover Your Yes
2. Empower Your No
3. Respect Your Way to Yes

Stage 2: Deliver

1. Express Your Yes
2. Assert Your No
3. Propose a Yes

Stage 3: Follow Through

1. Stay True to Your Yes
2. Underscore Your No
3. Negotiate to Yes

The simplistic formula is YES! --- No. --- YES?

The critical step is actually being aware of, "What are we saying YES! to by saying No." This will give you purpose !!! And empower your No !!! Here are some simple examples:

• You finally understand that you really want to be around with your kids and grandkids when they are older. This gives you the power to say No. to the couch, TV and chips, and yes to some healthier food and activity.
• You determine that you are worthy of and deserve a respectful loving relationship. This gives you the power to say No. when someone treats you in a demeaning way.
• You truly understand that family relationships absolutely need to be developed and nurtured. This empowers you to say No. to cancelling a family activity so that you can work.
• You decide that profit and honoring your Company values are more important than maximizing revenues. This empowers you to say No. to some customers regarding deals that are not aligned with your company's higher goals.

Nowhere in this book does it say that this will be easy. And if a Yes? can not be worked out with the other party, you may need to follow through with some pretty tough pre-planned actions. (ie plan B) However, what is the alternative? Continue sacrificing things that are critical to you in order to make others feel in control or happy....

Definitely worth a read. And he has much more detail and examples. My closing thoughts/questions:

• Are you saying No. for a good Yes! ? Or should you say save your No. for a more important time. (ie especially challenging with my kids...)
• Are you avoiding a confrontation and being walked over because you simply do not know how to say No. ? (ie been there, done that...)
• If you could better answer these questions, would it be worth a few hours to read this book?

Thoughts?

William Ury
Suite 101 Positive No
Leaders Direct Positive No
ADR Positive No

RAS LAC Interpretation

Well, here is what the RAS LAC folks had to say regarding the Legislative session... Sorry for the formatting, I just copied and pasted it into the blog. It looked better in the email. Thoughts?


The 2010 legislative session ended with the Governor and legislature failing to pass an Education Finance bill. What does this mean for school districts?
This means that several great provisions were not passed that could have helped our school district during these difficult economic times. Several provisions that we were fighting for went down to defeat in the wee hours of the special session that finalized the budget agreement negotiated between the legislature and Governor Pawlenty. Click here to view the bill that could have been: House File 2: Omnibus K-12

What did pass for education?
Last year's unallotment called for late payments to schools: schools would receive 73% of their entitlement in one year and 27% the next year. This NEW budget balancing agreement has those payments shifted to 70% one year and 30% the next. These late payments have now at least been put into law that they will be repaid. The problem is the upcoming budget shortfall which will make repaying this shifted payment to schools almost impossible.
Physical education is now a state standard (passed in a heath bill).
The 1980s provision that "required" the state to borrow from school fund balances before going to outside lenders has been changed to permissive language.
The Kyle Herman bill was signed into law by the Governor on 4/26/10. This bill provided for Parent notification of child maltreatment in a school facility modifications.
Sentencing guidelines were increased for carrying a dangerous weapon onto school property.
And, of course, the payment shifts. According to the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, "We're paying for this shift with 400 teachers a year." - May 18, Star Tribune.
What did not pass for education?
· Modification of Charter School Provisions: Provided rules governing charter school facilities and governance.
· Care and treatment bill: This bill provided a mechanism for Robbinsdale and other affected districts to be paid for the educational services we provide to out-of-state students who are in a residential treatment facility located within our district.
· Mandate reduction bill: School district mandates reduced, additional flexibility allowed, and certain fund transfers authorized.

· Safe Schools Levy increase: A proposal to increase this levy from $30 to $32 per pupil unit.

· Referendum renewal authority: This provision would have allowed school boards to renew an existing referendum for the same monetary amount and time period as the existing referendum.

Background: Prior to 1990, when voters approved local levies the vote gave local school boards the ongoing authority to levy the approved amount. In the mid-1990s, with the cry that by the mid 2000s "surely there would be a better way to fund schools," the legislature required that all voter-approved levies have a finite end, so any outstanding levy passed prior to 1990 had to sunset by 2007 and the renewal roller coaster began.
· Early childhood program for at-risk 4 year olds: Provided guidelines to provide for this early childhood program to be offered through community education.
For More Information:

May 17, 2010 - More school aid to be held up- Districts will have to borrow to tide them over, and interest will cost millions. School budgets didn't get whacked during the 2010 legislative session, but plenty of money will be slow to arrive, Star Tribune.
May 17, 2010 - Schools see delayed payments and little else from legislative session- The budget deal the Legislature passed Monday relies heavily on delayed payments to schools to balance the state's books. But aside from that payment shift, lawmakers adjourned without passing any other significant education-related legislation, Minnesota Public Radio.
April 27, 2010 -It's Time to Tackle Minnesota's Achievement Gap- We know the achievement gap exists. We know the gap in reading and math test scores between white students and students of color exists across the nation. But it is especially pronounced in Minnesota, Minnesota 2020.

The November election will be critical to the fate of our schools.
I encourage you to attend candidate forums and ask pointed questions of the candidates. How will they address the huge projected deficit? What are their plans for education?

To find out who represents you go to: http://www.gis.leg.mn/mapserver/districts.
Your state senator and representative contact information is listed on the left.

The Legislative Action Coalition of Robbinsdale Area Schools was established by the school board to be an advocate for our public school district and the learners, families and communities it serves.

School Funding and Accountability

I believe this is what gridlock looks like. I mean the schools lose some more money, the citizen's gain no methods to promote accountability within the schools, we put off the fixing the structural financial problem til "next year", and we all lose any shot at the Race to the Top funding.

In summary, the kids get the burned from all sides...

All of us adults sure are silly and selfish !!!

Here are some links explaining the impact of this Legislative session on MN Schools. Or maybe I should say the "non-impact... Thoughts?

Star Tribune: Borrow More
Parents United: Not Held Harmless
TC Daily Planet: Shifts nothing to be proud of
HomeSource: No Race for the Top
MinnPost: Keep trying for Race to the Top
HF2072
Waseca News What about Education?

Where are the FOR SALE signs?

The 281 Exposed folks and myself don't always agree, however this topic was on my short list of things to post about. And I think they did a pretty good job of posing the question. (281 Exposed Where are the For Sale Signs?)

"For months the RAS school board was telling the citizens that we couldn’t sell Pilgram Lane or Olson Elementary Schools because we may have to use them to house students while renovating Northport and Lakeview Elementary schools. Since the district decided to pass a “back door referendum” taking away our right to vote on tax hikes to renovate Northport and Lakeview, there is now no reason to keep Pilgram Lane and Olson. What is the divestiture committee doing right now? They have been meeting for a year and the only action has been the proposed sale of Hosterman Middle School to District 287. Why don’t we have For Sale Signs at Pilgram Lane and Olson? What is the hold up? After the facilities study, the district seemed enthusiastic about selling our surplus property, but now our guess is that the District 281 will make every excuse they can on why they SHOULDN’T sell the land. If we sell these properties we can perhaps off set some of the costs of Northport and Lakeview. We welcome your thoughts."

RAS Facility Divestiture Site

One thing I would add. Is it really necessary to house the District 287 programs in Sandburg for 2 years? Since we are still in an economic downturn and I see space for rent almost everywhere I go... Wouldn't it be better if 287 rented some of that short term excess capacity? Then RAS could finish their program consolidation now and get out of the Landlord business...

With the current plan, RAS will be in the Cavanagh and the Winnetka Learning centers for 2+ more years... This is one slow divestiture. Could you imagine a for profit business taking ~4 years to spin off excess property? I can not.

G2A Jan Facility Notes

Education Funding Cuts?

Well, unless something changes in the next few days. It is not looking good for K-12 funding.

It also does not look good for getting non-traditional teachers in the classroom. Maybe those many many many Education Minnesota TV commercials worked to ensure only Union members could teach... I often wonder how much in dues/tax $/student funding went into those ads. Probably would have funded a couple of schools for at least a year...

Whichever side you are on, it is time to call your legislators and make your views known. See below for some updates.
___________________________________
Parent's United News Page
___________________________________
Politics in Minnesota
___________________________________
No Education Bill? (from RAS LAC)
Last night the senate passed SF 3063, a bill allowing some fund transfers and alternative facilities authority and SF 2598, a bill relating to the Collaborative Urban Educator Program and the Metro School for the Deaf. Apparently, these are the only bills the senate intends to advance relating to education.

The senate has not passed and does not intend to pass an omnibus education bill.

That means several important provisions are in danger of falling by the wayside including:

1) Putting the education payment shift into law to be repaid.
(If this shift becomes a cut, Robbinsdale Area Schools will be cut $15 million.)
2) Allowing school boards to renew an existing referendum.
3) Providing a mechanism for school districts to be paid for
providing educational services to students from out of state while in treatment facilities in our district.

We need your help NOW in contacting your local legislators - especially your senators - to urge them to pass an education bill that includes the above provisions. In addition, contact the following house and senate leaders with the same message.

Legislative Leadership to Contact:
Rep. Mindy Greiling 651-296-5387
Rep. Margaret Anderson Kelliher 651-296-0171
Rep. Tony Sertich 651-296-0172
Sen . LeRoy Stumpf 651-296-8660
Sen. Larry Pogemiller 651-2967809

Legislator Links
Rep. Debra Hilstrom 651-296-3709
Rep. Lyndon Carlson 651-296-4255
Rep. Michael Nelson 651-296-3751
Rep. Ryan Winkler 651-296-7026
Rep. Sandra Peterson 651-296-4176
Rep. Sarah Anderson 651-296-5511
Sen. Ann Rest 651-296-2889
Sen. Linda Scheid 651-296-8869
Sen. Ron Latz 651-297-8065
Sen. Terri Bonoff 651-296-4314

Party Schools

Now when I was a freshman at South Dakota State University, I was always puzzled when those adults kept talking about something called "binge drinking". They kept saying that having 4 or 5 beers at a sitting was in some way a bad thing... I of course at that time in my life thought that 4 or 5 beers was a slow night...

The upside to my disastrous first year was that I got to learn how hard it is to raise a GPA in the remaining 3 years !!! A good lesson in weighted averages.

Now that I have your attention, this not the type of party school that I want to talk about today. No, today I am interested in your thoughts regarding Elementary school parties. I keep running into people that want to encourage students in reading, writing, math, etc by holding class wide parties. They seem to believe that doing this often is beneficial. Whereas I believe it is squandering some of the precious few academic hours that teachers and students have.

My simple math is that there are only ~935 academic hours in a year. (~5.5 hrs/day and ~170 days) (5.5 = 6.5 - 1 for recess, lunch, transitions, etc) Then it is probably under 900 academic hours if you take out the Teacher's fun in-class activities, School assemblies, Seasonal parties, Pictures, Health screening, Sub Teacher days, etc.

Now I want the kids to somewhat enjoy school, however I think:

• The remaining ~5.2 hrs / day should be dedicated to the teacher student academic process of teaching and learning.
• The Teacher has enough to do without people interrupting their time, flow and methods.
• The Students need all the lecture and study time they can get to cover the vast amount of content.
• Though Students require some extrinsic motivation, it can be overdone. They must develop their intrinsic motivation also, and this will not be accomplished through parties.

So what are your thoughts?
Should Elementary Schools be one big fun time party with some learning?
Should they be an enjoyable place of academic learning?
Should they be all academics and less fun?
What else am I missing?

Your Opinion Matters ?

This is going to be a busy week... So many interesting topics to discuss.

Today's discussion will be regarding the comments made by the RAS Supt.

Sun Sailor Guest Column
Planning for Future Financial Stability
By Supt Aldo Sicoli

In this document, Supt Sicoli discusses the good financial decisions that have been made during the past couple of years, the challenges that all public schools will face and the proactive steps RAS will take to manage the situation. The proactive step of interest to me is requesting community input on how to manage our financial situation and make our community schools excellent. Here are my random thoughts on the topic:

• What will be heard? What will be filtered? What will be laughed at? What if the community demands more competition? (ie sell PLE building to a charter) Would this be taken seriously as a way to improve the education opportunities for the children of our communities? Or if they say IB has to go, because AP district wide is better? Will any critique of the status quo even see the light of day?
• Will the community members that dislike the RAS administration, board and schools even take the time to show up? Or will they give up before they even try like last time where pretty much only school supporters showed up? And they wanted to offer everything to everyone, without giving much thought to the price tag of each? How can we engage those that most want to see the district changed?

So if RAS filters the input to meet their personal interests, and if the Vote No'ers stay home instead of getting actively involved in improving the situation... What is the point ?

Here are my recommendations on how to improve the RAS process:

1. Upgrade parent portal so parent's can complete year end or quarter end surveys of their school, administration, classes and teacher's. This is almost free data and it is relatively immediate. Then act on it. Questionable Administrators, Teachers, Processes, Systems, etc need to be dealt with immediately if you truly want to improve. (ie no procrastinating because it is hard)
2. Continue with the plan to collect input, however post all improvement ideas in a running list no matter how unflattering it seems to RAS. Only filter for language or possible liability. Affinitize the ideas and post how many times the idea has been raised. (ie a ranked list)

As for the Vote No'ers, RAS may not listen to your ideas and they may even laugh at them. However I can absolutely positively guarantee your ideas will not be implemented if you do not voice them!!! So get engaged !!!!

Thoughts ?