Portsmouth High School #1 in Science in State

The 2010 NECAP Science Assessment results were announced this afternoon and Portsmouth High School is number 1 in high school proficiency in the State! Congratulations to Dr. Lusi, Ms. Jermain, Mr. Littlefield, and all those responsible for this achievement - this underscores the work being done in our Schools. SOS is proud of our students as Portsmouth was one of a handful of communities to increase test scores at all levels: Elementary, Middle and High School! My daughter would suggest: a school holiday?

Mr. Harris could you stay after class?

Jonathan Harris, a Republican candidate for School Committee, put out an email today, you may have received it. I will excerpt some of his key points. I don't really know Jon, and I am sure he is a reasonable man. Jon was a leader in the law suit to keep Elmhurst open; and, he was instrumental in delaying the closing of Elmhurst in 2009 when he projected a large enrollment increase from the Navy. That increase did not happen. I have never been asked my opinion from Jon or any of his running mates, but would be happy to sit with them or any of you - I'll even buy the coffee.

I must say I am simply crestfallen by the tenor of Jon's letter, the simplicity of his answers. Knowing what is at stake in this Referendum, and believe me it is the future of our system, having able minded people come to these conclusions is perplexing. My Letter to the Editor on Saturday was written with the knowledge that Jon and his running mates were working the soccer fields with innuendo. "The money is there, they have been hiding it." That is not true - Dr. Lusi and Mark Dunham are professionals and deserve our praise for keeping a steady tiller, ending the year with a strong budget surplus, and charting a course for the next five years. Mr. Harris asserts that the budget surplus was hidden, we actually reported it out earlier this year: August 10th vs. August 18th.

Jon's email began, "I am a supporter of high quality education and believe that, with the right leadership overseeing our schools, we can have a nationally ranked school district within two years." Hear hear! OK? Last time I checked this required investment, which requires a strong financial footing.

"Groups such as Save Our Schools "SOS", rightfully, are concerned about the reduction of programs and sports to our students. However, I do not agree with the SOS solution to the current budget issues, which is an additional increase to property taxes. Ultimately, a tax increase is a one year band aid and will bring us right back to the same situation next year unless true change is made." In fact Mr. Harris it is just the opposite. The complexity of the Maximum Levy Cap, commonly referred to as S3050, deeply penalizes budgets that are underfunded in any calendar year. This is the case this year in Portsmouth. If we fail to correct the structural deficit this year, we will carry it forward to fiscal 2012. The only way to correct that deficit at this time is new revenue.

I am going to pluck some sentences out of order, "I believe the budget referendum vote scheduled for October 5 is not necessary because the surplus and excess funding have provided our schools with $700,000 of funding not yet accounted for." I only wish this were true. Were we to follow Mr. Harris' advice we would begin the 2012 budget with close to a $1 million deficit. The budget is built based on the levy of the prior year, when one-time dollars are used we don’t add these funds to the base of the prior year. We then have to make up the one time dollars and the cuts to State Education Aid – or – cut even further?

“I should also point out that the day after hundreds of concerned and dedicated citizens submitted enough signatures to schedule a referendum budget override to fund the schools, the school department finance director disclosed that they had approximately $400,000 of unrestricted surplus funds which they failed to disclose prior to the signature drive.”

“I believe the majority of the school committee willfully misled the 1,800 people who signed the petition. I will vote against the referendum. What are the motives and capabilities of those running our schools in withholding this information and why has SOS not informed the public and signers of the petition regarding the budget surplus?” First, the referendum was not the School Committee’s doing but was mine & SOS, and I/we did not willfully mislead anyone. The Town Council level funded the schools and provided a smaller total budget than a year ago. They did so out of political expediency. SOS knows the difference between one-time funds and base-budgets, especially in light of upcoming cuts to State Education Aid. It matters little what the final surplus is, but it matters a lot as to how we use these surplus funds. Having a bank to draw upon to cover the cut in State Education Aid ($2,070,000 in total over ten years) and a reduction in Medicaid reimbursement these next few years is vital to our system.

Mr. Harris’ statement, “willfully misled” is so politically driven and is borderline libelous. As an employer I would not think this is a great job interview response for a future member of our School Committee. If Mr. Harris treats the unions as he has the school committee and as he has the administration in his legal action against the District; our system will fall off the edge.

Again, I do not know Jon Harris. I'd like to meet him, to correct his misunderstanding of the budget issues, and to channel his energy into positive constructive actions for our system and children.

Letter from Dr. Lusi

Below is a letter sent last evening from Dr. Lusi in response to a Letter to the Editor in Newport Daily News. Our responses to misinformation should be the facts. Let's maintain a positive approach to a clear minority willing to use misinformation to frame their argument.

Dear Members of the Portsmouth Community:

The editorial published in today’s Daily News entitled, It’s Time for Portsmouth Voters to Draw Line on School Spending is so full of incorrect information that I feel compelled to respond. I address some of the most glaring inaccuracies below:

Assertion: The budget referendum is “to vote on whether to increase the fiscal 2011 budget by $765,301 above the 4.5 percent increase approved by the Town Council.”

Fact:

- The original budget request of the School Committee was for a 4.5% increase in the Town appropriation ($1,263,345).

- The School Department actually received an increase of $129,532 from the Town (0.5%).

- If the referendum passes, the School Department will receive a total increase in Town appropriations of $894,833 (including the $129,532 referenced above) for a total increase in Town appropriations for the schools of 3.2%.

- Because of declines in revenue from the state and other sources, the School Department’s total budget will increase by 1.5% if the referendum passes.

- As it stands now, our total budget for this year is less than it was for last year.

Assertion: “The school budget now stands at $39 million with a $517,000 surplus from 2010 budget.”

Fact:

- I think the authors must be referring to the balance sheet showing fund balance from the School Department’s FY 2009 audit. I have attached this page from the audit with some notations.

- As noted, of the $516,965 of unreserved fund balance at that time, $200,000 was expended in FY 2010 and $200,000 is budgeted for FY 2011, leaving a balance of $116,965.

- We do anticipate having additional fund balance at the close of the FY2010 audit, which we will have in January. Again, we would earmark $200,000 for the next fiscal year and the district’s 5-year plan shows using any remaining fund balances to mitigate coming reductions in State Aid due to the new funding formula and to federal aid due to the end of the stimulus package.

Assertion: The increase was demanded without any consideration of increasing the co-pay for health insurance or modifying pay increases.

Fact:

- We are in negotiations with our teachers which include negotiating salary and benefit packages.

Assertion: “Teachers receive longevity and cost-of-living increases every year without fail and can make up to $10,000 per month in salary.”

Fact:

- No, no, and no.

- Teachers start receiving longevity at 20 years of service in Portsmouth. Longevity provides an additional $1,200 per year for years 20-24; $1,250 for years 25-29, and $1,300 per year for years 30 and above. Longevity payments have been frozen at these amounts since the 2007-2008 school year.

- In 2009-2010 no teacher received a cost-of-living increase; in 2008-2009 only teachers on Step 10 (about half the bargaining unit) received a COLA. Other teachers have received their step increases, but no COLAs; the steps have been frozen since 2008-2009.

- Portsmouth teachers cannot make up to $10,000 per month in salary. Given that teachers work 10 months per year, this would be a salary of $100,000. Our top step is $71,577. Even with additional payments such as longevity, coaching, etc., our teachers do not approach $100,000 per year in salary.

Assertion: “The School Department budget has increased more than 78 percent since 2004.”

Fact:

- This is grossly inaccurate.

- The School Department’s approved operating budget in 2004 was $26,170,614; our operating budget for this year, if the referendum passes, will be $35,527,720. This is an increase of 35.8%. I have not done the calculations around increased cost of living, etc., over this period, but the editorial overstates our increases by more than 100%.

- If you are wondering about our restricted funds, they totaled $1,628,508 in 2004 and $1,415,288 this year – a reduction of 13%.

I recognize that people have differing opinions regarding the referendum, but I would hope that people would form those opinions based on accurate information.

Sincerely,

Susan F. Lusi, Ph.D
Superintendent

Open Letter

Portsmouth voters will be asked in two short weeks to chart the course of Portsmouth’s educational future. Save Our Schools reminds all voters of the October 5th referendum and their ability to request an emergency ballot by October 4th. As the proponent for adding $765,301 to the Town Council approved budget, I encourage every voter to become familiar with the facts so that they can make an informed decision. I believe then you will agree that the $765,301 or an increase over last year of just 1.5% is both conservative and necessary.

What sacrifices have been made? The Portsmouth School Department has made deep cuts to this year’s budget: closing the Elmhurst School, eliminating 12.6 full-time positions, cutting bus routes, minimizing supplies, and eliminating select programs. This is nothing new for Portsmouth as we have been cutting for the better part of the past decade. While Portsmouth is in the bottom fifth in per-pupil spending in the State, we deliver in the top fifth in educational performance year after year. Portsmouth Schools have made sacrifices at all levels, and we can’t cut further.

Why is this increase needed? When the School Committee builds its budget it has two principal sources of revenue: state funds and town funds. The State of Rhode Island has cut back aid significantly this year to both the town and school. The only source to replace state funds is town funds or municipal taxes. Municipal taxes, however, are restricted by a property tax levy cap enacted in 2006; and, the levy can grow only as a percentage of the past year’s base. So budgets that form that base are critical to maintain. A structural deficit in the base will never be corrected. Unfortunately it only gets worse for Portsmouth Schools, under the new State Education Aid formula Portsmouth will lose $207,000 per year for the next ten years or $2,070,000. Faced with those additional cuts it is critical these referendum dollars be approved, the alternative is a true financial crisis.

Does the School District have cash reserves? Yes, in fact, the School Administration has done an excellent job managing expenses. The School Department expects to end the year with a surplus of $200,000 to $400,000. $200,000 of this will be earmarked for next year’s budget (2012), just as $200,000 of the prior year’s surplus was budgeted for this year. The balance of these funds fortunately can go to lessen the impact of the Education Aid cuts over the next three years, as was presented in the School District’s five-year forecast. The Medicaid reimbursement account currently has $428,000 of the $500,000 the District has budgeted, or presently a $72,000 deficit. The District, however, will receive additional Medicaid reimbursements and projects a positive balance at the end of this fiscal year. Again, based on the School Department’s 5-year plan, excess funds will be used to soften the incremental funding gaps in special education over the next three years and fill revenue gaps created by the reduction in Medicaid reimbursements with the end of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act .

These funds provide the District a very small cushion against additional changes throughout the year, such as the mid-year state aid reductions Portsmouth has experienced in the past or increased student need. These are all one-time dollars; meaning they will not be available in future years to cover similar expenses. It would be fiscally irresponsible to use one-time cash to fund our operations and create a structural deficit; doing so will only cause a $1 million deficit for the 2012 budget year.

What is the cost of $765,301? The cost to the Portsmouth tax payer is 20 cents per thousand of assessed value or $71.40 for the average home. This is slightly less than $6 per month. While I understand the economic difficulties many are experiencing in town, as well as the struggles our seniors’ face; these funds and the increase of 1.5% is the difference of our school system’s survival as we know it. I do not say that lightly, but a decade of cuts is enough.

I urge Portsmouth residents to vote for the additional funding (Option 2) on October 5th. I encourage you to watch Newport Daily News Editorial Board’s School Committee debate September 30th at 8:45 PM. I pray Portsmouth voters put ideology aside and ask themselves the importance of education for our children, our economy, our home values, and our community.

David Croston

Referendum Open House Handout

SCHOOL REFERENDUM
October 5th

Dear Parents:

On October 5th Portsmouth will have a critical ballot election. The ballot will read as follows:

You may vote for one of the following:

1. The Portsmouth Town Council appropriation for the School Department Budget shall remain unchanged in the amount of $35,527,720.00.

2. The Portsmouth Town Council appropriation for the School Department Budget shall be increased by $765,301.00 to a total appropriation of $36,293,021.00.

Approve Option 1
Approve Option 2

WE URGE YOU TO VOTE OPTION 2

Why?

Reason #1 – A Reasonable Increase

The current Town Council budget provides the schools less money to operate this year than last year. The $765,301 request represents a 1.5% increase from last year. This will allow the schools to operate in a similar fashion to last year. Without this money the Schools will be in crisis and will face the elimination of programs, a crisis we believe our school system will NEVER recover from!

Reason #2 – Significant cuts have been made

Already this year the School Committee eliminated 12.6 full-time equivalent positions from the budget. And, we sadly said goodbye to all the fond memories of the Elmhurst School. This on top of a long line of cuts to our system has made for the better part of the last decade; and, we are at the edge of our education cliff.

Reason #3 – We are an efficient system

Portsmouth has consistently delivered in the top fifth in academic achievement over the past decade, while being in the bottom fifth of per-pupil expenses. In fact, Portsmouth has consistently delivered the best value for the money in Rhode Island. In RIPEC’s report, RESULTS Education in Rhode Island 2010, Portsmouth is 33rd of 36 districts in per pupil expenditure. Portsmouth is well below the Suburban Average of per-pupil spending and $thousands (per pupil) below our regional neighbors Middletown and Newport.

Reason #4 – It's only going to get worse

Our legacy of frugality only hurt us in the new State Education Aid Formula relative to Portsmouth’s ability to pay. And, Portsmouth will lose $207,000 per year for the next ten years under the formula, a total of 2,070,000. One-time American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding will disappear after this year. We simply cannot run our system without these Referendum funds.

Reason #5 – Portsmouth is a leader

Many of our families moved to Portsmouth specifically for the school system. We believe a strong school system is this town greatest asset. Portsmouth leads in alternative energy. Portsmouth leads in open space. Portsmouth needs to lead in education to maintain our community’s collective value. A one percent devaluation in the average home is $3,500, a reasonable decrease if we had an underfunded school system. That represents 49 years of the increase proposed in the referendum.

Reason #6 – $6 per month

Were the referendum to be successful, the average home will see a $71.40 increase, or less than $6 per month. We, like many of you, have struggled these past few years; but, it's now that we need education, sports, guidance, arts, theater, and music more than ever. Those most affected by this economy need the stability our schools offer - it simply is not the time to abandon our schools.

Reason #7 – The referendum is binding

The School Committee voted on September 14th not to seek a Caruolo Act suit were the referendum to be unsuccessful. They voted to put their faith in this community to decide its own fate. We do support this, we need to decide (once and for all) what level of education we want in Portsmouth. Did we move here for the State Basic Education Plan or did we move here because there is magic in band, wonder in the art works of our students, and true success in our classrooms.

Reason #8 – Truly great things lie ahead

There is a vision of Portsmouth’s education future and it is bright. We need your vote to enable us time to affect change, to build a 21st Century education model, and to work with the community in an open and inviting manner.

We ask for your support at the polling booth on October 5th. This is a special election that replaces the old tent meeting. Absentee ballots are available for college-age students, military, and those unable to be in Portsmouth that day. We encourage you to speak to friends and family of the importance of this vote. Our children and grandchildren deserve a rigorous and well-rounded education.

YOUR VOTE TRULY COUNTS – supPORT SCHOOLS
Vote OPTION 2 on October 5th!

Voting Locations

2701 Prudence Island

2706, 2707 & 2708 Town Hall
2702 & 2703 Multi-Purpose Senior Center

2709, 2710 & 2712 Aquidneck Christian Academy
2704 & 2705 Common Fence Point Community Hall

FINAL DAY TO REGISTER IS SATURDAY

The final day to register to vote for the October 5th Referendum is this Saturday!

The Portsmouth Canvassing Authority Office will be open on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is in addition to their regular hours Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.