This blog is intended to provide our patrons with some updated facts and figures pertaining to our budget and tax request and your hard earned tax dollars.
Spending YOUR Tax Dollars
• Five years ago, in 2008-09, YPS spent $13,813,663
o YPS spent $14,319,658 in 2013-14
This is just a 3.6% ($505,995) increase in spending over five years
• Our average spending increased annually by just .72%
School District Revenue
• Five years ago, in 2008-09, YPS received a total of $13,759,522
o YPS received a total of $14,411,482 in 2013-14
This is just a 4.7% ($651,960) increase in total revenue over five years
• Our average total revenue increased annually by just .94%
YOUR Property Taxes
• Our 2014-15 total tax levy is $1.24
o This is 4.2 pennies smaller than it was in 2013-14
o This is 5.1 pennies smaller than it was in 2012-13
• In 2014-15, we are asking for $10,049,494 of your property tax dollars
o This is an increase of $2,982,099; which comes to 42.2% over just five years ago!
o So even though our levy is lower, the amount of property tax you pay is higher
• The point we want to emphasize over and over again is that even though many of you are paying much higher property taxes, it is not leading to additional spending at YPS. It is simply helping to fill in for declining receipts from the state and federal level. For example, state aid to YPS has decreased from $3,700,000 in 2008-09 to just $1,447,000 in 2013-14 and now $2,214,000 in 2014-15.
o Even with over a 42% increase in property tax request in the past five years, our total receipts have increased just $651,960; which is just 4.7%, or .94% annually, as shown above. We haven’t been able to provide more property tax relief due to decreases in state and federal funding.
We’ve had to skip curriculum adoptions, technology upgrades, and vehicle purchases to make sure our disbursements weren’t higher than our receipts.
We are working hard to try and maximize the use of your tax dollars. We’re working with various leaders across the state on potential ideas for property tax relief. We understand the concerns out there. They are not being ignored. If you’d like to visit in person, or have me come speak to a group, club, or coffee crew, please call or email; and we can set it up.
Go Dukes!
Mike Lucas
mike.lucas@yorkdukes.org
402-366-6491 (Cell)
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Proud to be an American
September 11th will forever be a solemn day of remembrance after what happened in 2001. We live in the greatest country in the world and we need to be more respectful and appreciative of that every day, not just on Independence Day and September 11th. Every day.
I still get choked up thinking about 9-11-01. My stepmother was an active flight attendant for TWA at that time. I was an elementary principal in West Point, Nebraska with two daughters that were 8 and 6 and a 1-year old son. When I first heard of the planes crashing into the twin towers, I tried to call my step mom to see if she was home. About a half hour went by before I could verify that she was NOT flying that day and that she was safe.
I will never forget Charlene Recker, an awesome 2nd grade teacher, at WPES. Her son was in the Pentagon that day. She came into the office pretty shook up, obviously. I covered her class for a while as she tried to contact him to see if he was ok. As I remember it, an hour or so went by and Charlene had no verification if he was or wasn't ok. She came back to class. A little while later, I answered the phone in my office and it was her son calling to tell her that he was ok. I will never forget the pure relief and joy that Charlene had as I handed her the phone. It touched my heart.
The next day, we gathered all of our K-5th grade students into the gym and told them that they are "safe" and that we're going to be ok. This was the message First Lady Bush encouraged us to tell all children. It was an emotional time. I held it together during the "assembly" but balled like a baby in my office for about 30-minutes afterwards with the door shut.
We shall never forget the victims of 9-11-01. We continue to mourn the lives of so many that left us way too soon.
I still get choked up thinking about 9-11-01. My stepmother was an active flight attendant for TWA at that time. I was an elementary principal in West Point, Nebraska with two daughters that were 8 and 6 and a 1-year old son. When I first heard of the planes crashing into the twin towers, I tried to call my step mom to see if she was home. About a half hour went by before I could verify that she was NOT flying that day and that she was safe.
I will never forget Charlene Recker, an awesome 2nd grade teacher, at WPES. Her son was in the Pentagon that day. She came into the office pretty shook up, obviously. I covered her class for a while as she tried to contact him to see if he was ok. As I remember it, an hour or so went by and Charlene had no verification if he was or wasn't ok. She came back to class. A little while later, I answered the phone in my office and it was her son calling to tell her that he was ok. I will never forget the pure relief and joy that Charlene had as I handed her the phone. It touched my heart.
The next day, we gathered all of our K-5th grade students into the gym and told them that they are "safe" and that we're going to be ok. This was the message First Lady Bush encouraged us to tell all children. It was an emotional time. I held it together during the "assembly" but balled like a baby in my office for about 30-minutes afterwards with the door shut.
We shall never forget the victims of 9-11-01. We continue to mourn the lives of so many that left us way too soon.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Every Day is a Great Day to be a York Duke
The 2014-15 school year is already in full swing. No matter how much preparation is done in June and July, nothing gets you ready for that August rush when school begins again. We're off to a fantastic start. Our enrollment is currently 1,268 K-12 students. In August of 2009, we had a K-12 enrollment of 1,186. It is great to have 82 more Dukes with us today than just a few years ago. This equates to a 6.9% enrollment increase.
Our new agronomy academy is going well. This is a joint venture with Centennial and Seward Public Schools with financial support from the four major seed corn companies along Highway 34. I believe we have seven students (juniors and seniors) learning about agronomy careers and concepts this semester in this new course.
Board members Dr. Pat Hotovy, Barb Skaden, Jean Vincent, and Matt Holthe were recognized at last night's NASB Region Meeting for earning various levels of award for being active board members attending workshops and conferences.
It's great to listen to the YHS Band each morning as they prepare for their upcoming parade season.
I've been able to get into classrooms at YES, YMS, and YHS within the past week and it is awesome to see such great students and staff working together.
All of our fall activities are in full swing. We hope to see you at a York Duke activity soon.
Life is good. It really is!
GO DUKES!
Our new agronomy academy is going well. This is a joint venture with Centennial and Seward Public Schools with financial support from the four major seed corn companies along Highway 34. I believe we have seven students (juniors and seniors) learning about agronomy careers and concepts this semester in this new course.
Board members Dr. Pat Hotovy, Barb Skaden, Jean Vincent, and Matt Holthe were recognized at last night's NASB Region Meeting for earning various levels of award for being active board members attending workshops and conferences.
It's great to listen to the YHS Band each morning as they prepare for their upcoming parade season.
I've been able to get into classrooms at YES, YMS, and YHS within the past week and it is awesome to see such great students and staff working together.
All of our fall activities are in full swing. We hope to see you at a York Duke activity soon.
Life is good. It really is!
GO DUKES!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Contracted Food Service Management Company at YPS
This blog has copied/pasted info from the York News-Times article that Steve Moseley published on August 28, 2014. Pklease visit www.yorknewstimes.com for more info.
Lunch is going to have a different flavor this year for York students.
The school board has gotten out of the food service business and handed those duties in their entirety over to LunchTime Solutions, a private contractor. The first was chosen for its proposal about how and what to feed students at the elementary, middle school and high school buildings. “York Public Schools is very excited about our new partnership with LunchTime Solutions, who now handles all of our food service needs,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Lucas this week. “This is something we’ve looked into for almost three years. We wanted to pursue contracted school meal service through a food service management company because it saves money, increases the quantity of food that students can eat, and can also help improve food quality in some instances.”
He said districts such as Hastings, Holdrege, McCook, Ralston and others have been very pleased with their partnerships with contracted food service companies. School district food service programs have undergone numerous changes and restrictions in the past few years and the York board felt that bringing in a professional organization like LunchTime Solutions was the best thing to do for York students.
“One of the biggest complaints we always received was that our students weren’t getting enough to eat,” Lucas said. “With LunchTime Solutions, our students can now get unlimited fruits and vegetables every day to help fill them up and/or they can also purchase another main course if they wish to.”
Students also receive up to five entrée choices a day at YMS/YHS while YES offers two to three choices. “Many of our students and staff have already been very excited about the wonderful salads available in all buildings.”
YPS always had dedicated food service staff that did a good job with the numerous restrictions they had to follow, he said. Now with a food service management company like LunchTime Solutions that staff can get the professional development, support and training they need.
“Most of our former food service staff continues to work in YPS kitchens but they now do so as an employee of LunchTime Solutions,” Lucas explained.
“We visited Hastings High in 2013 and really liked how LunchTime Solutions helped improve their school meal program. The “grab and go” lunch program at YHS, also known as “Cruising Café,” will start up in September and will feature bacon cheeseburgers, chicken strips and lots of other popular items for our high school students.”
Lunch is going to have a different flavor this year for York students.
The school board has gotten out of the food service business and handed those duties in their entirety over to LunchTime Solutions, a private contractor. The first was chosen for its proposal about how and what to feed students at the elementary, middle school and high school buildings. “York Public Schools is very excited about our new partnership with LunchTime Solutions, who now handles all of our food service needs,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Lucas this week. “This is something we’ve looked into for almost three years. We wanted to pursue contracted school meal service through a food service management company because it saves money, increases the quantity of food that students can eat, and can also help improve food quality in some instances.”
He said districts such as Hastings, Holdrege, McCook, Ralston and others have been very pleased with their partnerships with contracted food service companies. School district food service programs have undergone numerous changes and restrictions in the past few years and the York board felt that bringing in a professional organization like LunchTime Solutions was the best thing to do for York students.
“One of the biggest complaints we always received was that our students weren’t getting enough to eat,” Lucas said. “With LunchTime Solutions, our students can now get unlimited fruits and vegetables every day to help fill them up and/or they can also purchase another main course if they wish to.”
Students also receive up to five entrée choices a day at YMS/YHS while YES offers two to three choices. “Many of our students and staff have already been very excited about the wonderful salads available in all buildings.”
YPS always had dedicated food service staff that did a good job with the numerous restrictions they had to follow, he said. Now with a food service management company like LunchTime Solutions that staff can get the professional development, support and training they need.
“Most of our former food service staff continues to work in YPS kitchens but they now do so as an employee of LunchTime Solutions,” Lucas explained.
“We visited Hastings High in 2013 and really liked how LunchTime Solutions helped improve their school meal program. The “grab and go” lunch program at YHS, also known as “Cruising Café,” will start up in September and will feature bacon cheeseburgers, chicken strips and lots of other popular items for our high school students.”
Thursday, August 21, 2014
York is an Amazing Community
Our first "Back to School Celebration" and "Community Pep Rally" was a success this past Tuesday night. We've already got some ideas on how to make the 2015 version even better. It was so awesome to see such a large crowd come out and support the awesome kids we have in our public and parochial schools. York is a special place and it will continue to get even better.
We appreciate the York News-Times for their wonderful coverage. Please read their article below.
http://www.yorknewstimes.com/news/community-pep-rally-brings-over-a-thousand-to-east-hill/article_a45cddfc-28d4-11e4-b4bb-0019bb2963f4.html
We appreciate the York News-Times for their wonderful coverage. Please read their article below.
http://www.yorknewstimes.com/news/community-pep-rally-brings-over-a-thousand-to-east-hill/article_a45cddfc-28d4-11e4-b4bb-0019bb2963f4.html
Thursday, August 14, 2014
And We're Off and Running....
All is right in the world again. Our students are back in the buildings and we've begun the 2014-15 school year. Make no mistake, it is fully our intention to make 2014-15 the BEST school year in the distinguished history of York Public Schools. We have amazing students, supportive parents and patrons, a dedicated and talented staff, and a very proactive board of education.
We're excited about our new Agronomy Academy, our new school meal program through LunchTime Solutions, and our continued infusion of educational technology across the PreK-12th curriculum. We hope to see you at a concert, play, game, match, or in one of our buildings often this year.
GO DUKES!
We're excited about our new Agronomy Academy, our new school meal program through LunchTime Solutions, and our continued infusion of educational technology across the PreK-12th curriculum. We hope to see you at a concert, play, game, match, or in one of our buildings often this year.
GO DUKES!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Back-to-School Celebration and Community Pep Rally on August 19th at East Hill Park
We are excited about our upcoming Celebration and Community Pep Rally on Tuesday, August 19th at East Hill Park. Below is a rough draft idea of what this event is looking like as of now. We are hoping for a big crowd. Please spread the word.
Back-to-School Celebration & Community Pep Rally
Tuesday, August 19th at East Hill Park/Levitt Stadium
6:30-8:00 PM
• Ice Cream Social hosted by the York Public Schools Foundation (free-will donation)
• Inflatable bounce houses and games
• Music
The following booths and tables will also be set up around the park from 6:30-8:00:
• YHS Band Booster Club – stop by and join the Band Boosters
o YHS Flag Team will be selling items
• YHS Fine Arts Booster Club – stop by and join the Fine Arts Boosters
• YHS Athletic Booster Club – stop by and join the Athletic Boosters
• Let’s Move York – stop by and learn about this important initiative for wellness
• York Duke Apparel – stop by and purchase some new York Duke clothing
• Sam & Louie’s Pizza – $3 per slice (cheese, pepperoni, or beef)…10% of sales donated to YPS
• York Youth Soccer Association – stop by and drop off registration forms for this fall
• Renee Mattox – York Duke and Decorative Seasonal Door Signs
• York Promotional Products – stop by and purchase some York Duke and Husker attire
• Thirty-One Products – stop by to purchase purses, totes, and storage solutions (Kat at 363-1373)
• LunchTime Solutions – stop by and learn about the new food service provider for YPS
• Kirby's School of Dance and Kirtsey Dancewear and Gifts
• Junior Dukes Band – stop by and learn about instrumental music opportunities
• Scentsy – stop by and pick up great smelling wickless candles
• Lil’ Zyns Custom Hair Bows – stop by to purchase some custom hair bows and tutus
• YHS Activity Passes will be on sale
• Usborne Books - come check out the "food" to fuel the curious mind!
• York Chamber of Commerce – stop by and sign up for YorkFest 2014 activities!
• NPPD – stop by and learn about energy efficiency programming and ideas
• Country Styles Salon - stop by to get temporary and washable colored hair spray for kids as well as up-dos and braids for girls
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes – stop by and learn about this organization
8:00 PM
• Community Pep Rally begins inside Levitt Stadium with YHS Band and Cheerleaders
• Numerous Student Groups to be Recognized and Walk Across the Field
o St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Emmanuel Faith Lutheran School, YES, and YMS
o YHS Fall Teams
o Celebrity Joust Pit Challenges
“Media Mayhem” - Mark Jensen vs. Greg Awtry
Brent Enninga, Chris Payne, Matt Perry, and Ryan Lambert from YGH (7-30 email)
Dr. Hotovy, Brian Tonniges, and Marty Winters
o Preview of Hub Foster Press Box Project
Won’t quite be done yet so this will not be a formal dedication later this fall
Back-to-School Celebration & Community Pep Rally
Tuesday, August 19th at East Hill Park/Levitt Stadium
6:30-8:00 PM
• Ice Cream Social hosted by the York Public Schools Foundation (free-will donation)
• Inflatable bounce houses and games
• Music
The following booths and tables will also be set up around the park from 6:30-8:00:
• YHS Band Booster Club – stop by and join the Band Boosters
o YHS Flag Team will be selling items
• YHS Fine Arts Booster Club – stop by and join the Fine Arts Boosters
• YHS Athletic Booster Club – stop by and join the Athletic Boosters
• Let’s Move York – stop by and learn about this important initiative for wellness
• York Duke Apparel – stop by and purchase some new York Duke clothing
• Sam & Louie’s Pizza – $3 per slice (cheese, pepperoni, or beef)…10% of sales donated to YPS
• York Youth Soccer Association – stop by and drop off registration forms for this fall
• Renee Mattox – York Duke and Decorative Seasonal Door Signs
• York Promotional Products – stop by and purchase some York Duke and Husker attire
• Thirty-One Products – stop by to purchase purses, totes, and storage solutions (Kat at 363-1373)
• LunchTime Solutions – stop by and learn about the new food service provider for YPS
• Kirby's School of Dance and Kirtsey Dancewear and Gifts
• Junior Dukes Band – stop by and learn about instrumental music opportunities
• Scentsy – stop by and pick up great smelling wickless candles
• Lil’ Zyns Custom Hair Bows – stop by to purchase some custom hair bows and tutus
• YHS Activity Passes will be on sale
• Usborne Books - come check out the "food" to fuel the curious mind!
• York Chamber of Commerce – stop by and sign up for YorkFest 2014 activities!
• NPPD – stop by and learn about energy efficiency programming and ideas
• Country Styles Salon - stop by to get temporary and washable colored hair spray for kids as well as up-dos and braids for girls
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes – stop by and learn about this organization
8:00 PM
• Community Pep Rally begins inside Levitt Stadium with YHS Band and Cheerleaders
• Numerous Student Groups to be Recognized and Walk Across the Field
o St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Emmanuel Faith Lutheran School, YES, and YMS
o YHS Fall Teams
o Celebrity Joust Pit Challenges
“Media Mayhem” - Mark Jensen vs. Greg Awtry
Brent Enninga, Chris Payne, Matt Perry, and Ryan Lambert from YGH (7-30 email)
Dr. Hotovy, Brian Tonniges, and Marty Winters
o Preview of Hub Foster Press Box Project
Won’t quite be done yet so this will not be a formal dedication later this fall
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