Stan F. Mack II

Dr. David Gundlach

Michael Nault

Susan Schnorr

Dr. Andrew Jones

Superintendent of Schools 920.424.0160

Deputy Superintendent 920.424.0296

Executive Director of Human Resources 920.424.0124

Executive Director of Business Services 920.424.0120

Executive Director of Administration 920.424.0296

215 S. Eagle Street l P. O. Box 3048 l Oshkosh, WI 54903 l 920.424.0395 l www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information contact: Superintendent Stan Mack [email protected] (920) 424-0428 Oshkosh Schools Develops Proposed Cuts if Referendum Not Approved February 18, 2016 – Oshkosh, WI: Members of the Oshkosh School District budget reconciliation committee have developed a recommended list of budget cuts if the April 5, 2016 Referendum for Learning is not approved by voters. The proposed cuts will be reviewed by the School Board on February 24, and the Board will vote on the final list of cuts at that meeting. The cut proposals are in response to continued pressure on the school district’s budget due to inadequate state funding that does not keep up with inflation nor increasing educational costs. The 33 member budget reconciliation committee – which consists of staff and community members – met several times and reviewed a wide range of potential options before developing their recommended list. The proposal includes $3.4 million in cuts for 2016-17, and $4 million of cuts for 2017-18. The Referendum for Learning is a request for increased funding that will go before school district voters on April 5. If approved, it would provide $4 million per year for seven years that would be used to protect academic programs for students and make security improvements to district schools. If not approved, the cuts that will be approved by the board at their February 24 meeting would go into effect beginning in the 2016-17 school year. “It’s our financial responsibility to be prepared for either vote outcome on April 5,” said Superintendent Stan Mack. “If voters approve the referendum, those funds will be help us protect what we have in place for students, enable us to make school security improvements and support our strategic plan. If voters do not approve the referendum, we need to be ready to make cuts starting next fall.” More information about the Referendum http://referendum.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

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The Oshkosh Area School District serves more than 10,000 students from early childhood through grade 12 at fifteen elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, and two charter schools. The school district’s mission is to create citizens who are critical, creative thinkers, responsible in their actions, and committed to learning for life by working together with families and communities.

Retaining Educational Opportunities • A 33 member community based budget reconciliation committee met over several evenings to analyze all possible options • A series of items were considered and individual members voted on the final list • The proposed list will be presented to the School Board for their review and decision at their Feb 24 meeting

Retaining Educational Opportunities 2016–17 Proposed Budget Reduction List*

1. Require all MS students to take one study hall ($1,120,000) Eliminates access to middle school electives such as Family Consumer Science and Career/Technology Education and STEM options. (-16 Teacher FTE/+4 Para FTE)

2. Eliminate all lower enrollment classes and electives in MS and HS to increase average class size and Transition Orchestra to Fund 80 ($595,000 + $280,000) Eliminates or severely restricts CAPP, CTE, Business, Youth Apprenticeship, Agriculture, French, German, Art, and Music. Potentially eliminates lower enrollment programs such as ALPS, Communities, etc. (- 12.5 Teacher FTE)

3. Close 1 of 5 Middle Schools ($350,000) Results in larger middle schools and would require boundary adjustments (-1 Administrative FTE, -1 Dean FTE, -2 Clerical FTE, -1.5 Custodian FTE)

4. Reduce employee health plan/require spousal surcharge ($300,000) Reduces employee total compensation and impacts staff morale

*Pending School Board discussion and decision on Feb 24, 2016

Retaining Educational Opportunities 2016–17 Proposed Budget Reduction List*

5. Decrease teacher preparation at the secondary level by eliminating supervisory assistants and requiring teachers to sub for 16 periods ($160,000 + $60,000) Decreased teacher time to prepare lessons and work with students. (-4 Para FTE)

6. Reduce district administration ($130,000) Strategic plan and curriculum scope and sequence will be compromised. Ability to plan and respond to community and student needs severely reduced. (-1 FTE)

7. Reduce High School Athletic Budget ($90,000)

Doubling high school athletic participation fee from $50 per sport to $100 North and West High School sports will be combined into one team for the following: Football Boys swimming Boys and girls golf Boys and girls soccer Softball Boys and girls cross country

*Pending School Board discussion and decision on Feb 24, 2016

Retaining Educational Opportunities 2016–17 Proposed Budget Reduction List*

8. Increase HS Music teaching load from 4 to 5 sections ($84,000) Eliminates or severely restricts individualized student attention on their specific instrument (-1.2 Teacher FTE)

9. Eliminate funding for professional development and reduce employee travel ($60,000 + $25,000) Erodes quality of educational program and ability for staff to stay current

10. Reduce building budgets by 5% ($43,296) Reduces supplies and materials used for student instruction

11. Reduce district clerical and maintenance staff ($55,000 + $65,000) Responsiveness to district needs compromised (-1 FTE Clerical and -1 FTE Custodial)

Sell Ryf Road Property ($700,000) Board Facilities and Finance Committee already pursuing this option. Resources would be used for other facility needs *Pending School Board discussion and decision on Feb 24, 2016

Retaining Educational Opportunities 2017–18 Proposed Budget Reduction List*

1. Combine 2 Elementary Schools into Middle School ($250,000) Closes neighborhood schools potentially decreasing enrollment. District boundaries would not be based on neighborhoods. Feeder school pathways disrupted and transportation costs will increase.

2. Suspend compensation increase for all staff and eliminate department chairs ($1,000,000 + $71,000) District already the lowest in terms of total compensation. Oshkosh will not be competitive and subject to increased costs due to turnover.

3. Contract cleaning of all facilities ($420,000) Cleanliness and security of buildings would be compromised. Ownership and personal care of facilities would not exist (-21 FTE Custodial)

4. Reduce K-5 Art, Music, and PE specialists by half ($700,000) Results in elementary students receiving art, music and physical education instruction for only half of the year with a specialist. Significantly reduces elementary teacher preparation time. (-10 Teacher FTE) *Pending School Board discussion and decision on Feb 24, 2016

Retaining Educational Opportunities

2017–18 Proposed Budget Reduction List* 5. Eliminate Math and Literacy Intervention Teachers ($880,000)

Students would not receive intervention in math and reading. Regular classroom teachers would be responsible for interventions and have less time for other students. (-11 Teacher FTE)

6. Eliminate all professional development and instructional support not mandated by federal programs like Title 1 ($1,420,000) All district professional development and direct support to classroom teachers would be eliminated. Classroom teachers would have no support for students requiring interventions reducing time spent with other students. Teachers responsible for scheduling, logistics, and administering AP tests at the High School. Curriculum scope and sequence significantly compromised. Educational supports necessary to respond to student needs and implement the strategic plan eliminated. Learning without limits technology initiative would be unsupported. Media center access and Gifted/Talented opportunities would be limited. Math Recovery would be drastically cut. (-25.5 Teacher FTE)

*Pending School Board discussion and decision on Feb 24, 2016