Thanks to York General Hospital for putting on a "coaches' clinic" last night at Chances "R." The information on services that are provided for high school student-athletes was outstanding.
Obviously, the highlight of the night was when Coach Carl Pelini took the microphone and talked for 45 minutes. It was great to listen to his stories about the changes that the NU football program is going through.
Just like Husker football, York Public Schools has to stay focused on who we are and what defines us. In times of budget cuts and revenue shortfalls, we can't lose sight of the fact that we're in "business" to do great things for kids; to provide opportunities for kids, and to help ALL kids achieve success.
Change is going to remain a constant. We'll be dealing with new curriculum expectations, more unfunded mandates, improving technology, etc. for the rest of our careers. What we can't afford to change is our commitment to our core values.
* Hard Work
* Creativity
* Commitment to ALL students
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Facility Committee studying potential needs at York High School
We're inviting anyone interested to join our YHS Facility Committee. The purpose of this group is to tour our building, listen to information from school administration, analyze potential proposals from architects, and then decide whether or not this group recommends that the Board should look into addressing facility needs.
We had our first meeting on February 2nd and 24 community members attended. We're hoping for more attendees at our next meeting on February 21st.
Schedule of Meetings:
Meeting #2 Monday, February 21st @ 7:00 PM
Meeting #3 Tuesday, March 29th @ 7:00 PM
Meeting #4 Wednesday, April 13th @ 7:00 PM
Findings/Recommendations Presented to Board on April 25th @ 7:00 PM
Meeting #2:
- Overview of preliminary findings from DLR Architecture Firm
- Presentation of potential solutions/options from DLR
- Committee to provide feedback on things they’d like to see DLR pursue
- More time to tour the facility and conduct a question/answer session
Meeting #3:
- DLR to present POTENTIAL ideas on scope of project and potential costs
- DLR to present POTENTIAL ideas on potential timeline of renovation work
- More time tour the facility and conduct a question/answer session
- Committee discussion on what action (if any) they want to take
to Prepare for meeting #4 by providing DLR with direction and input
Meeting #4:
- Iron out details of POTENTIAL scope and costs to recommend to board (if any)
- If necessary, organize a committee from within this group that will present
at the April 25th Board of Education meeting
District Financial Overview
o 2010-11 district valuation = $701,347,622
This means each penny on our levy = $70,134
Over the past 15 years our valuation has averaged a 4.7% annual increase
o 2010-11 Tax Levy and Bonded Indebtedness Update
Overall Tax Levy of $1.264150
General Fund @ $1.06+ (statutory limit of $1.05 + exclusions)
Bond Fund @ $0.15+
YES will be paid off on May 15th
YMS bonds of $9,600,000 began in May 2006 and expire in December 2026
This past fall the Board of Education took advantage of low interest rates and re-financed these bonds to save $1,197,607 of real dollars that won’t have to be levied for
Qualified Capital Purpose Fund @ $0.04
Indoor air quality/HVAC improvements
$1,630,000 paid off between December 2004-December 2014
$715,000 paid off between October 2007-October 2017
Building Fund @ $0.007 (70% of one penny = $49,093)
Need to get this up to $.03 but with impending cuts in state aid over the next two years, it’s not going to happen anytime soon
• York High School Information
Turning 36 years old this spring (dedicated in 1975)
Currently has 440 students
Changes in programming between 1975-2011
• Increased emphasis on technology integration
• Increased emphasis on school safety
* SPED programming and accessibility
• More extracurricular programs and offerings
o Especially with female programs and sports
No major renovations have ever been done
• In 1978, the “pottery area” was added to the art room
• In February 1988, the “Senior Hallway” added the guidance offices and three classrooms
• In 2005, HVAC replacements and repairs took place as well as the addition of a sprinkler system for fire safety
• In June 2010, energy efficient lighting was installed in the gym through an incentive program with NPPD
• Over the years a few exterior doors have been replaced and windows have been worked on as needed but not in the recent past
• Involvement of DLR
Architecture firm out of Omaha that handled our new YMS building and the renovations we made to YES this past summer
Were selected by our building and grounds committee after interviews and visits this past December
We had our first meeting on February 2nd and 24 community members attended. We're hoping for more attendees at our next meeting on February 21st.
Schedule of Meetings:
Meeting #2 Monday, February 21st @ 7:00 PM
Meeting #3 Tuesday, March 29th @ 7:00 PM
Meeting #4 Wednesday, April 13th @ 7:00 PM
Findings/Recommendations Presented to Board on April 25th @ 7:00 PM
Meeting #2:
- Overview of preliminary findings from DLR Architecture Firm
- Presentation of potential solutions/options from DLR
- Committee to provide feedback on things they’d like to see DLR pursue
- More time to tour the facility and conduct a question/answer session
Meeting #3:
- DLR to present POTENTIAL ideas on scope of project and potential costs
- DLR to present POTENTIAL ideas on potential timeline of renovation work
- More time tour the facility and conduct a question/answer session
- Committee discussion on what action (if any) they want to take
to Prepare for meeting #4 by providing DLR with direction and input
Meeting #4:
- Iron out details of POTENTIAL scope and costs to recommend to board (if any)
- If necessary, organize a committee from within this group that will present
at the April 25th Board of Education meeting
District Financial Overview
o 2010-11 district valuation = $701,347,622
This means each penny on our levy = $70,134
Over the past 15 years our valuation has averaged a 4.7% annual increase
o 2010-11 Tax Levy and Bonded Indebtedness Update
Overall Tax Levy of $1.264150
General Fund @ $1.06+ (statutory limit of $1.05 + exclusions)
Bond Fund @ $0.15+
YES will be paid off on May 15th
YMS bonds of $9,600,000 began in May 2006 and expire in December 2026
This past fall the Board of Education took advantage of low interest rates and re-financed these bonds to save $1,197,607 of real dollars that won’t have to be levied for
Qualified Capital Purpose Fund @ $0.04
Indoor air quality/HVAC improvements
$1,630,000 paid off between December 2004-December 2014
$715,000 paid off between October 2007-October 2017
Building Fund @ $0.007 (70% of one penny = $49,093)
Need to get this up to $.03 but with impending cuts in state aid over the next two years, it’s not going to happen anytime soon
• York High School Information
Turning 36 years old this spring (dedicated in 1975)
Currently has 440 students
Changes in programming between 1975-2011
• Increased emphasis on technology integration
• Increased emphasis on school safety
* SPED programming and accessibility
• More extracurricular programs and offerings
o Especially with female programs and sports
No major renovations have ever been done
• In 1978, the “pottery area” was added to the art room
• In February 1988, the “Senior Hallway” added the guidance offices and three classrooms
• In 2005, HVAC replacements and repairs took place as well as the addition of a sprinkler system for fire safety
• In June 2010, energy efficient lighting was installed in the gym through an incentive program with NPPD
• Over the years a few exterior doors have been replaced and windows have been worked on as needed but not in the recent past
• Involvement of DLR
Architecture firm out of Omaha that handled our new YMS building and the renovations we made to YES this past summer
Were selected by our building and grounds committee after interviews and visits this past December
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Job Vacancies within York Public Schools
York Public Schools is currently advertising for five teachers. All vacancies are due to retirement. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.yorkpublic.org in order to fill out application materials. A resume, cover letter, and credential file will also need to be sent in to fulfill a person's candidacy.
We will advertise for at least one more week. On Monday, January 31st the administrative team and I will begin to review applicants and to make plans to interview throughout the month of February. Applicants that turn in materials after January 31st will continue to be analyzed and considered as well.
Go Dukes!
We will advertise for at least one more week. On Monday, January 31st the administrative team and I will begin to review applicants and to make plans to interview throughout the month of February. Applicants that turn in materials after January 31st will continue to be analyzed and considered as well.
Go Dukes!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tremendous In-Service Day
"Tremendous" and "in-service day" don't typically get used in the same sentences. However, yesterday at York High School was the best day of professional learning I've ever been associated with!
Steve Joel, Karen Haase, and Barry Carlson made up our all-star cast of main session speakers. Our four break-out sessions were headed up by YPS staff, ESU 6 personnel, and other special guests. The ideas on student engagement, technology integration, NeSA preparation, vocabulary acquisition, student diversity, etc. were wonderful and easy to implement.
Thank you to everyone who made the day a huge success.
Steve Joel, Karen Haase, and Barry Carlson made up our all-star cast of main session speakers. Our four break-out sessions were headed up by YPS staff, ESU 6 personnel, and other special guests. The ideas on student engagement, technology integration, NeSA preparation, vocabulary acquisition, student diversity, etc. were wonderful and easy to implement.
Thank you to everyone who made the day a huge success.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
THE "OLD" MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. George Duncan from Meadville, Missouri has purchased the old middle school with a cash offer of $25,000.
We have found that Mr. Duncan and his associates have several companies that are listed with the Secretary of State in Missouri and all are listed in “good standing” from what we’ve been told. He has indicated to us that he wants to buy the building to present to a group of investors that may want to pursue a nursing school or apartment complex.
Dave Connelly, the realtor, has made sure Duncan understands that any future use of the facility must get approval from the City due to its zoning, etc. Mr. Duncan has “flipped” properties in the past as he has bought some buildings and then turned around and re-sold them at a profit. I assume he may try that in York if he is unable to get the facility developed into something.
The school district received bids this past summer on what demolition and excavation would cost of the facility and it came to over $700,000. By selling this building, we are able to get it on the tax ledger and shave close to $50,000 of annual expenses.
YPS maintains ownership of the land north of the old middle school where the football field, track, and baseball fields are.
We have found that Mr. Duncan and his associates have several companies that are listed with the Secretary of State in Missouri and all are listed in “good standing” from what we’ve been told. He has indicated to us that he wants to buy the building to present to a group of investors that may want to pursue a nursing school or apartment complex.
Dave Connelly, the realtor, has made sure Duncan understands that any future use of the facility must get approval from the City due to its zoning, etc. Mr. Duncan has “flipped” properties in the past as he has bought some buildings and then turned around and re-sold them at a profit. I assume he may try that in York if he is unable to get the facility developed into something.
The school district received bids this past summer on what demolition and excavation would cost of the facility and it came to over $700,000. By selling this building, we are able to get it on the tax ledger and shave close to $50,000 of annual expenses.
YPS maintains ownership of the land north of the old middle school where the football field, track, and baseball fields are.
Friday, January 7, 2011
School Safety
We are all very saddened by the tragic events at Millard South earlier this week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those negatively impacted by the shootings. I am sure school administrators all over the country have taken time yet again to review their lock-down and evacuation policies. I know we have in York. We continue to dedicate time each year to reviewing these policies so we can be prepared as much as possible for intruders, gunmen, etc.
Schools are full of helpful people for any student that would need to reach out for support.
Have a great weekend and let those you love know how much they mean to you!
Schools are full of helpful people for any student that would need to reach out for support.
Have a great weekend and let those you love know how much they mean to you!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Professional Development
York Public Schools is excited to have our annual in-service day on Monday, January 17th. It is shaping up to be a wonderful day with lots of great presenters, breakout sessions, etc.
* Dr. Steve Joel, superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, will jump start our day at 8:00 AM with a 45-minute talk about the importance of public education, being lifelong learners, etc.
* We will then have breakout sessions on technology integration, state assessments, student wellness, behavior interventions, effective instruction, early childhood, autism awareness, and more.
* Cornerstone Bank is providing a sandwich bar for our lunch.
* We've invited our parochial school colleagues as well.
We're excited to model the importance of "lifelong learning" and to pick up some tips that will make our classrooms even better places for our students to learn.
* Dr. Steve Joel, superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, will jump start our day at 8:00 AM with a 45-minute talk about the importance of public education, being lifelong learners, etc.
* We will then have breakout sessions on technology integration, state assessments, student wellness, behavior interventions, effective instruction, early childhood, autism awareness, and more.
* Cornerstone Bank is providing a sandwich bar for our lunch.
* We've invited our parochial school colleagues as well.
We're excited to model the importance of "lifelong learning" and to pick up some tips that will make our classrooms even better places for our students to learn.
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