Meaningful Communication is Important

One of the main things a superintendent has to focus on is communication. Here in York, we try to be as open and accessible as possible. Below is a recent response to a "Wonder Line" question that came into the York News-Times. Anonymous formats like the Wonder Line are certainly not our favorite mode of communication.

Please feel free to contact me directly with any concerns you may have. We take a lot of pride in servant leadership in support of our students, staff, parents, and patrons.

Q: I am wondering why the marquee signs at the middle and high schools are still running messages when school is not in session. How much is it costing the taxpayer to have these signs running during summer vacation?

York Public Schools doesn't have a summer vacation. Our marquee signs run 12 months a year because we're busy 12 months a year. We have numerous things going on throughout the summer. We have six weeks of summer school programming, drivers' education, enrichment camps, athletic camps, free lunch programs, board meetings, special education programming, early childhood offerings, and art academies to name just a few.

We are not sure of the exact utility costs just for the marquee signs to run in June and July. Our bill isn't broken down to that detail. So far, this fiscal year, we've spent $246,835 on utilities throughout YPS. This compares favorably to the $267,118 spent through this portion of last year's fiscal calendar. We began an intensive energy efficiency initiative in June 2009 and we now use, on average, 14% less KWH each month than we used to. Our utility costs have gone down as a result.

All in all, we're extremely proud that our overall spending has averaged LESS than a 1.6% annual increase in the past six years as well.

I much prefer one-on-one or small group conversations with those that have concerns as opposed to an anonymous format like the Wonderline that allows this question to give the perception that YPS isn't fiscally responsible when our expenditure data shows that our cost-per-pupil spending is extremely efficient and in the lowest 15% in the state.

My cell number is 402-366-6491. My office number is 402-362-6655 ext. 4. My email is mike.lucas@yorkdukes.org. My home address is 1622 North Delaware Avenue. I'd love to visit with you any time.

Go Dukes,
Mike Lucas