With regard to health insurance...Health Insurance and the amount of contribution by the district has been a topic of discussion for each of the past several years. Like any other business we have seen steady increases in the cost of insurance. To combat the rising costs we have taken the same steps as other organizations-both private and public. We have raised deductibles, changed the amount of co-insurance percentages, created HSA options and even changed plans completely all in an effort to keep our rate increases reasonable. However, we have not yet taken the step of passing on a percentage of the cost to our employees. We still pay 100% of the coverage for the EMPLOYEE ONLY as do other districts. That cost is presently $430 per month. The BOE realizes that many organizations are moving away from this and we have certainly considered it. We have avoided this in the past because we see this as a tangible benefit to the employee for choosing our school district over one that might offer higher base pay or better stipends. We specifically have chosen not to go down the road of passing on those costs this year as our rates have actually gone down due to the fact that this is a contract renewal year AND our teachers take home pay is already being impacted by the salary freezes, stipend reductions, and the loss of career ladder. However, this “benefit” is one that the BOE reviews yearly with the knowledge that at some point in time it may become absolutely necessary to pass on a portion of these costs to our employees. Again, please understand that this is my opinion and understanding of the present position of both the Administration and the BOE. All recommendations are still under review.

Biff Barner
Tuesday, Mar 09, 2010 (10:03:49 am CST)

Mr. Barner, I would just like to say how I commend you for coming on this board and answering questions for people of the community who are unable to attend the meetings. You are truly a stand up guy who clearly has the best interest of the children in our district on your mind. This has taken plenty of time out of your day and I cannot say enough how I respect you for this. You clearly have been a great asset to our BOE and I am saddened that you will not be returning. Thanks so much for the time you have put into this very difficult situation.

Susan
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 (11:03:14 am CST)

Posting anonymously for fear of retribution on my kids. Does the district still pay 100% of the health insurance monthly premium? If so, what is the per employee monthly cost of health insurance to the district? If the district no longer pays 100%,how much does the district pay? How much does the employee pay? Just wanted to know if we have looked at the cost savings to the district if the employees are required to pay a larger percentage. Just asking some tough questions. Are there other districts out there who do pay 100% of insurance costs? Are there other benefit cost savings we could look at i.e. life insurance costs? Has the school district asked other districts how that school is tightening its belt? I am not in favor of positions being cut, however, I also know that we must find areas that can offer some savings. I also applaud the district for emailing info out to parents. Keeping parents/community "in the loop" with facts is great.

Ashland Parent
Monday, Mar 08, 2010 (09:03:15 am CST)

Regarding the elimination of summer school transportation…Your question highlights the fact that there is a downside and some potential risk to the School District and some hardship for parents contained in all of the proposed cuts. Our summer school reimbursement is partly tied to attendance/participation. However, I believe the basis for the recommendation is that the busses were not utilized to a large extent and the cost exceeded the benefit. Not providing transportation indeed creates a hardship for some, but summer school is still a great value for the parents and a great educational and fun opportunity for children. It is the hope of the BOE and Administration that parents recognize this value and simply find a way to make it work. If it becomes for some a barrier that is simply too great then I would encourage you to contact the school as they might be able to put you in touch with other parents for ride-sharing and such. As a side note, the larger question for summer school at this point is will we even have Summer School and what will it look like if we do? There is a good chance the state will not fund summer school programs past this current year and an equally good chance that promised funding for this year will not come through. The BOE and Administration are closely watching and listening for updates from the state.

Biff Barner
Sunday, Mar 07, 2010 (07:03:10 am CST)

I saw that one of the options for budget cuts include taking away transportation for summer school. I thought that most of summer school funding was based upon the amount of children attending.... If that is true, will the school be able to cover the cost if they do not receive the funding because not enough children enroll? I know several families who will not be able to pick their kids up from school daily because of work schedules and I anticipate that would decrease enrollment greatly. Has that been taken into consideration?

Just Wondering
Saturday, Mar 06, 2010 (01:03:32 pm CST)

In response to the question about Administrative Salary reductions....Yes, in fact, your kids ACT scores might be better due to the fact that we have a solid administraive team who manages, leads and encourges their staff to be more efficient and effective while embracing current trends and best practices within the curriculum and the classroom...Should they be paid more than classroom teachers? Yes, in some cases, as is the leadership virtually any other organization. The BOE has already accepted the recommendation from Administration that salaries be frozen across the entire district - including their own. They have further proposed the elimination of one of the Administraive team positions which means that those duties will be spread across the rest of the administrative team. They too, are stepping up to the plate. In my opinion, the BOE will not ask our Administrative team to take a paycut beyond freezing of Salaries and perhaps some reduction in contract days. I believe it to be the consensus of the BOE, that they are paid a fair, market wage for their duties when compared to other districts our size from across the state. The bottom line is that we do not want to force quality Administrators or Teachers to seriously consider employment in other districts. We want to pay them a fair wage and continue to place value on their skills and service. Accordingly, I believe cutting the base salary of Teachers or Administrators is far down the list of considerations.

Biff barner
Saturday, Mar 06, 2010 (10:03:54 am CST)

The purchase of 7 acres to the north of the HS has been anticpated for some time. In fact, an option was placed on the property several years ago by the school district. Acquring adjacent property to the current HS makes perfect sense as it is necessary in order to grow our campus. The cost of those seven acres is miniscule compared to the cost of having to relocate our HS to another property as a result of being landlocked. As I have explained before, funds to purchase land and equipment are not the same funds used to pay for teachers salaries and programs. I can assure you that none of the budget considerations we are facing today had anything to do with out purchase of that 7 acres. The two are simply unrelated.

biff barner
Saturday, Mar 06, 2010 (09:03:35 am CST)

With respect to the Alternative School Program. Yes, Fulton did eliminate their program. However, I believe their program was much larger than ours. As a result, there probably was significant staff savings in eliminating the program. In our case, the program has been staffed with exisiting teachers by rearranging their workload and shifting some responsibiliites onto other staff which resulted in a more efficient and effective use of staff. The room being used was empty and I belive the technology was paid for out of grant funds. My point is, if the program were eliminated it would result in virtually no savings. It has been a point of the BOE and Administration not to recommend the elimination of any certified teaching positions or instructional programs. If the state's crisis deepens it might become necessary. If so, the Alternative School would be discussed within the context of eliminating certified staff. The BOE is hopeful that we can avoid that prospect for this next year.

biff barner
Friday, Mar 05, 2010 (09:03:05 pm CST)

I still want to know why the school decided to purchase 7 acres of land at nearly 25 thousand dollars per acre at a time they knew their revenues were dropping? Maybe Biff would want to answer this.....

25 cents
Friday, Mar 05, 2010 (04:03:14 pm CST)

Dear Buck up... all I got out of your statement was that the school board should cut an academic program in order to solve the budget problems. It is a SCHOOL budget, and therefore it is safe to say the academic programs should be the LAST to get cut. I commend the students in the alternative school for doing what they can to get a diploma equivalent. I happen to be one of those students that just "gets it" in a normal classroom setting but I can not imagine the struggles some students face and I think it is great our school is willing to give all types of students a way to learn that works best for them!! Who are you to critize them? They all obviously know their education is not a joke or they wouldn't be doing what they can to finish school. I think as someone on the outside of this entire situation (alternative school & budget issues) you are not educated enough to make an informed comment because you obviously have judgments made based on assumptions about the types of kids who attend the alternative school. God forbid one of those students reads your comment, it's uninformed & down right rude & undeserved on those student's part. Plain and simple...these budget cuts are hard on all departments but our school board (whom our community ELECTED mind you) is working very very very hard to make the outcome best for everyone involved and more importantly ALL of SoBoCo's students. The board realizes the kids who are in the SoBoCo district are students first and athletes/actors etc second. I'll quickly stand up for our board who is working very hard to keep our academic programs a top priority and to keep them as strong as possible as we all get through the budget cuts. No issue with the School Board is as black and white during the meetings as it may see to the community who reads about the issues in the paper.

YOU buck up
Friday, Mar 05, 2010 (04:03:29 pm CST)

Did any one else find it funny that freezing administrative salaries saves 11% as much as freezing teacher salaries. There are how many teachers and how many administrators? How overpaid are the latter? How much direct influence do they have over our childrens education? Will my kids ACT scores go up a few points thanks to how awesome they are? According to DESE (http://dese.mo.gov/planning/profile/arsd010087.html), administrators average $78,121/yr. Are they really worth 1.9x what someone who has to sit in a classroom and instruct our children is? Give them a 20% cut and there's $125-140k in savings and they're still doing quite well. Why heading into this year, did administrators get an average 8.3% pay raise, when we knew even last years budget was being plugged in with federal funds to keep things afloat? Hopefully this year's budget also does away with the coaches/consultants that money has been wasted on for years as well.

The Dude
Friday, Mar 05, 2010 (02:03:58 pm CST)

I see our neighbor to the east (Fulton) has cut their alternative school program due to budget cuts. Maybe it's time that the Ashland community also steps up to the plate and assume individual responsibilities for graduation, rather than blaming "other" problems for not being able to attend classes. If you cannot attend school, then you need to find a job and come back for your education when you realize that it is not a joke. Graduate, continue to improve yourself, fit in society and get a good job, or drop out and work minimum wage - now the choice is yours. No more easy way out.

Buck Up
Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 (04:03:09 pm CST)

Hello all, Kudos to the SOBOCO Adminstration for sending out the e-mail to the District on Thursday afternoon concerning the budget process. Keeping it out front and inviting questions/comments brings a sense of community and openness.

Tony Russell
Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 (02:03:24 pm CST)

I am looking for someone in the Ashland area that teaches piano lessons either at their house or could come to ours. If anyone has a name or phone number I would appreciate it. Thanks

Kena Lederle
Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 (11:03:24 am CST)

I am looking for a SWBC classmste that went to Southwest Baptist College in 1959 -61. We want to invite Joan kay Davidson to attend our up comming 50 yr class reunion at Southwest Baptist University in October 0f 2011. If you know Joan please let her know and she may contact me at 817 704 3784 Arlington,Tx. Joan is a 1959 Southern Bone County High School graduate. Thank you very much. Classmate Leland Foland

LELAND FOLAND
Monday, Mar 01, 2010 (01:03:28 pm CST)

Man in the Ring is a wonderful band full of talent. The band consists of three Southern Boone graduates...Drake as mentioned below, Toby Runyon and Brad Cunningham. What a wonderful thing it is to have such a strong representation of Southern Bonne's talent in Columbia. Having seen these young men perform many times I would highly suggest attending. Not only is it great to support our community's talent but the music itself is VERY enjoyable. If you'd like to hear a demo of them, just go to iTunes. Man in the Ring is currently selling their first CD through iTunes and you can not only listen to 30 second demos but also purchase the album. : ) Great job guys, keep up the wonderful music and the hard work!!

maninthering
Friday, Feb 26, 2010 (04:02:10 pm CST)

Two bands with SOBOCO grads have made it to the finals of the Buzz 100.1’s 2010 Bandamonium. Donnie Lovall and Matt Ward (Class of 2009) are in the Three Cheers for Treachery band and Drake Detwiler (Class of 2006) is in Man in the Ring. We need people at the Blue Note on Tuesday, March 2 to support the bands and vote. The grand prize is $2,000! Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Four bands will be performing beginning at 8:30 p.m. The cover charge is $6 per person.

Sandy Ward
Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 (04:02:29 pm CST)

Thanks Bruce for the article written in the paper in regards to the Districts budget work, Thanks Biff for keeping the info flowing. Based on the info being discussed, the BOE (borrowing Biff's acronym) and the Administration is doing a good job reviewing the entire budget and making suggestions/recommendations. As Biff has pointed out, it is an ongoing project, and no votes have been taken on any of those recommendations. If the future calls for it, the BOE and the Adminstration may ask the District for an increase in the operating levy, and by being open and forthright, they have gained or are gaining the districts confidence. Through my multiple postings lately, the BOE and Adminstration has touched on nearly every single point that I have made in the budget process. I believe they were doing so before, during, and in lieu of my postings. In other words, they were doing it anyway, it has re-affirmed my support for our District as a whole. The BOE was placed in their capacity by the will of the people and are the people's elected respresentatives to the District. At one time or another I have voted for every single person sitting on the BOE. With that being said, I do appreciate Bruce providing this media for voicing one's opinion. Lately, the content on this message board has been educating. I hope that continues.

Tony Russell
Thursday, Feb 25, 2010 (03:02:44 pm CST)

In response to the question about contracting our Transportation Services. Yes, the board has examined this possibility on at least two occasions and as recently as this past year. However, it appears that owning our own transportation is the cheaper alternative based upon the bids. The philosophy of the BOE recently has been to aggressively pursue contacted services in support and service areas whenever possible. In the area of food service it proved to be more cost effective to contract for services. That area went from a $60,000 per year loss for the district to a break even position by doing so. Conversely, we have chosen to move our outdoor maintenance and grounds work to an in-house position as it was cheaper than that various contract services we were using. So, where and when the numbers work in the district’s favor we use outside services. Bruce published a very good article today about the content of the BOE work session. I want to remind everyone that the items in the paper are a proposed list of potential reductions as recommended by our Administration. It is not final and no votes have been taken. I will not sugar coat it. It is a list of difficult recommendations and it is not yet complete.

biff barner
Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 (07:02:41 pm CST)

Wonder why we have a school board...so they can do their job. Wonder why we have a principle, a teacher, a bus driver, an athletic director, a cook...so they can do their job. Why do we have a police department or a city council...so they can do their job...WHY DO WE HAVE COACHES...so they can do their job. BUT, ALMOST EVERYONE THAT WRITES ON HERE THINKS THEY COULD DO A BETTER JOB. I hope teachers and administrators of southern boone continue to leave and head to jeff city and columbia to get out of the complaining town they live in. People judge them everyday and why because they think they can do a better job. WELL FOLKS "ITS NOT YOUR JOB"

Wonder Why
Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010 (04:02:42 pm CST)

Bruce...thanks for the humor, I think my wife may be doing the same with me. Back to the basics, Biff is probably on to something with a request for a operating levy increase to the tax-payers based on the current situation. My opinion is that if the public feels that their concerns are addressed and the quality of product has not been jeopardized, that an operating levy increase can probably pass. We are paying more and more for other items that we 'want' and we 'need'. Sometimes, we cannot have the thing we 'want'. I believe lots of our society has forgotten that, I know at times I have forgotten it. Everyone has different 'needs' and 'wants'. I 'need' my children to get the best education possible education where our family unit lives. I am willing to budget other aspects in my life, to help satisfy that 'need'. If I feel that SOBOCO district is doing the best, under all circumstances, that they can and are open about the decisions, that supports my 'need' (my childrens education), then I will support them and help them with their 'needs'. There were many good areas brought at at the last Board meeting, as reported by the media, by the Board, Adminstration, and the Public. With freezes, privilege cuts, health care costs analyzed, insurance costs analyzed, overhead and support staff (not teachers or aides) cuts, contract reviews, physical plant cuts, etc., hopefully the quality of the product stays in place, and the people of the district will support it, as they always have in the past.

Tony Russell
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 (05:02:28 pm CST)

A very interesting discussion on the budget. I did attend the board meeting on the 15th and did voice my opinion as a member of the community and a parent of two SBC students. (I will add I did poorly given jet lag.) Nonetheless, I agree with Tony that pay freezes are only a temporary solution. No one wants to see anyone not get raises. Our teaching staff is a group of hard working professionals that are underpaid. However, the two largest employers in Mid-Missouri have and continue to freeze salaries (the State and MU). They have been doing this since 2001. Similarly, most employers - public and private - require a mandatory contribution for health insurance from their employees. By implementing these two strategies for a year, almost 60 to 70% of the deficit could be eliminated. This would allow for additional time to conduct a more strategic plan for next year's budget without directly impacting students; but, more importantly show a tightening of the belt where voters might support a tax increase. Today's economy has not dictated these tight budgets. It has been a series of tax cuts, refunds due to Hancock Amendments and the failure to increase sales or income tax for 40 plus years. This may come as a shock; but, yes, the State has not increased sales tax since the 1960's and income tax rates in Missouri have remain unchanged for even longer - if my research is correct. (City and county are a different story.) Lottery funds have supplanted dollars previously allocated to education instead of supplementing these dollars. I believe Biff has done an excellent job of demonstrating the neccessity of the administrative positions. Let's not impact our students' ability to learn inside and outside of the classroom - purposeful and curriculuim based field trips are a natural way to make learning "real". Additionally, sports, band, drama, quiz bowl, etc. provides for the social, emotional and physical growth which is so important in developing well rounded adults. As adults, when we reminisce about high school, middle school, etc. I would guess more of us have mentors, leaders, friends, memories, etc. with the extracurricular in as much as the curricular activities. God bless our students, teachers and administrators. Each of you are greatly treasured and valued. Please do not let that get lost during these discussions.

Duane Shumate
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 (04:02:42 pm CST)

Biff - thanks for the information you are providing. I know that Columbia outsources things like school buses (to First Student) - has SoBoCo looked into that? Does outsourcing actually save money, or does it just look better on the books?

tough decisions
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 (02:02:30 pm CST)

Thanks Mr. Wallace for posting my most recent comment right away, the last one took 3 days for some reason. My e-mail comes into your office with my name on it, I expected it to be con fidential, not so, the people who know who I am cannot deny that. I am neither paranoid or negative. I am simply putting facts out there, I am neither a Dem. or Rep. I am looking forward to your editorial Mr. Wallace about how other districts are handling this. Make sure you point out that those parents want Admin. cuts as well. Please don't shift any blame to the Nixon Admin. who by the way should be taking pay cuts as well as everyone in J.C. and D.C. Mr. Nixon put a stop to tuition hikes in State Colleges and he knows if jobs are lost in the private sector they are eventually going to be lost in the public sector. Most people know that a State is required to run a balanced budget. The Governor of Pennsylvannia just laid off 37 thousand workers. Ouch! Our state is in much better shape because immediate and proactive decisions were made, by this new State admim. When there is no money it is this school's problem, solve it, that is how private business's are run. There are no safety nets, "hard times", deal with it, personally speaking from 24 yrs. of the "school of hard knocks of the business world" after earning a college degree. The board speaks of charging for sports, not fair, probably won't work, been tried in other "rust belt" states, football programs folded. They also speak of charging parents for other things, that should be the absolute last thing on there agenda. The board should be being working for the "will of the people", first and foremost, where are the people that should be on this board advocating for their children's education, and for salary cuts by not just the people at the "bottom of the ladder" but also at the "top", no disrespect to either group, once again, this is business, as Mr. Russell pointed out. In this case the "Upper Mgt." pay for performance" does not apply. The school is "simply broke", and there is nothing they can do to fix it other than to take a pay cut along with several others within the district. Why shouldn't it be permanent. These economic problems are here to stay folks! P.S. This is for my children, your children, your future their future. Someone else pick up the ball and run with this. Last comments I will make on the subject. ONCE AGAIN, THANKS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND GOOD LUCK! Do what is right!

2 cents
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 (12:02:03 pm CST)

Sorry to hear that Mrs. Johnson is leaving Southern Boone. She will be missed.

rachel
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 (10:02:28 am CST)