December
5, 2008
Dear Staff,
The
financial crisis affecting the world, nation and state is having a very real
impact on us locally. Employees and members of the Kyrene school community are
facing unprecedented financial turmoil and challenges. It is important to note
that this also has an impact on the school district budget as we move into the
second part of the current school year and plan for the next one. State funding
for education is almost half of the entire budget for the state of Arizona and
with a large deficit looming it is probable that funding will be reduced for
educational programs across the state.
Fortunately, Kyrene is quite familiar with how to address budgetary challenges
because we have been in an era of declining enrollment and reduced funding for a
fair number of years now. As we have continued to face increasingly tough
financial times, we have planned well and a number of good strategies are
already in place to help us move forward. In other words, we are not starting
at “square one” as we look at the current situation. The enrollment decline has
been largely offset by the number of open enrollment families who choose Kyrene
and this has lessened the impact on the budget. In addition, the district is
able to “pre-pay” portions of certain expenses such as insurance and health care
from unexpended funds that are available and the law allows us to “carry
forward” a limited percentage of the current year budget to apply to next year’s
expenses.
Let’s
remember our One Team approach in how we work together as we face this
challenge. Any savings realized from a specific budget provides money for
competing needs as the money truly does belong to all of us. We need to take
collective responsibility for meeting any challenge we face and I am asking the
entire organization to reduce spending by 5% through any creative idea that
makes sense. Send ideas you or your team has to Kelly Alexander and we will
pursue viable options. Most of all, let’s support each other and show
compassion for those in need so we can weather the uncertain economic times that
are part of our current reality.
David
District News
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Program Study is
Underway for 2008/2009
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Like other high
performing organizations, Kyrene believes in on-going program study
and evaluation, so that we can be as effective as possible.
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Our district is
fortunate to have a K-8 Program Study Group that serves as an advisory
stakeholder group. K-8 is comprised of parents and staff. This group
is well informed on the celebrations and challenges of Kyrene and
provides feedback to the program study groups about their
recommendations.
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We currently have
six program study teams:
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Group membership is
comprised of individuals who have expertise in the program as well as
others who have a global understanding of district-wide programs and
resource needs.
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Representative
district groups like District Leadership Council, Curriculum and
Assessment Council, and Parent Superintendent Council, receive regular
updates about the work of these groups. These updates promote school
community awareness and understanding of the work that is in progress.
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Future Insider
publications will also provide additional articles regarding the
progress/work of these groups.
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With our on-going
budget challenges, groups that work on programs are expected to come
forward with recommendations that either generate a potential cost
savings or are cost neutral.
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These groups will
make recommendations to the Superintendent and he will work with the
Governing Board to consider these recommendations.
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Each year, these
recommendations are made in the late winter and early spring. This
year it is expected that these groups will be making final
recommendations to the Superintendent in February of 2009.
“New Year, New
You - Get Fit Preview “
Tuesday, December 16 4:00 p.m.
Get ready for 2009!!
Kyrene’s Community Education Department is hosting a FREE Open House on
Tuesday, December 16th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Kyrene District
Office, 8700 S. Kyrene Road, Tempe (NW corner of Warner &
Kyrene Rds.)
At “New Year, New You – Get
Fit Preview” participants can view or join in a variety of traditional
and cutting edge exercise formats. Demos begin at 4:15 and run until
5:30 p.m. Special Sign-up tables will provide attendees with class
times and locations plus Early Bird Sign up forms. All “New Year, New
You” exercise classes are for high school age students through adults.
A highlight of the event will be a preview of the incredibly popular
dance/exercise craze, ZUMBA.
Customer Service
representatives will be available to answer questions about these
classes and others offered after school for school-age children,
options for toddlers plus, where and when classes will be offered. For
adults who can’t get away to take classes ED2GO, an on-line personal
development service, will also be previewed.
Prizes, giveaways, water and
healthy snack will be available. For more information contact Kyrene
Community Relations at 480-783-4029.
4:00 – Welcome and Sign
in
4:15 – Jazzercize: 3
routines
4:30 – Water break and
registration - drawing
4:45 – Zumba: 3 routines
5:00 – Water break and
registration - drawing
5:15 – Yoga: demonstrate
moves
5:45 – Closing and Grand
Prize drawing
On-Site Opportunity Available at Lomas
Kyrene has a unique
program known as
On-Site Security. Most
schools have an on-site employee living on campus in either an apartment
or a trailer. Four hours per week (at a rate of $12/hour or $18/hour if
it is overtime), the on-site checks to make sure the buildings are
secure in the evening and ensures that the alarms are set. The fee to
live in the apartment at Lomas is $775 per month (including
utilities). Kyrene employees interested in applying for the position may
do so online or obtain an application at the Furlong Center. Please
contact x4174 or email
rysmith@kyrene.org with any questions.
"Fippin' for Education"
Pancake Breakfast
Take credit for education
and support Kyrene schools while you enjoy a pancake breakfast along
with door prizes and entertainment.
Where: Tempe Schools
Credit Union- 2800 S. Mill Ave. Tempe, AZ 85282
When: Saturday,
December 6, 2008
Breakfast, 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Entertainment, 8:00 am to 11:00 am
Cost:
$2 per person -
purchase your tickets at any Tempe Schools Credit Union
November 2008 TRP
Winners
Diana Spatz – Kyrene de los
Lagos
Darlene Abel – Pueblo
License Plate Holder Law
Beginning January 1,
2009, Arizona State law requires that the state name at the top of
Arizona license plates must be visible. Any license plate holder or
cover that prevents the license plate from being clearly legible is in
violation of this new law.
School
News
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Colina
Colina held its annual
spelling bee this week to determine the participant for the District
wide Spelling Bee. A big congratulations to Steven Romero who is a
4th grade student in Ms. Irvin’s class! Also congratulations to all
our participants who did a great job in this event. We will all be
rooting for Steven as he goes to compete at the District!
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