We're preparing for another amazing school year as our students return on August 11th. Our NeSA scores are at an all-time high. Our FFA program is amazing. Our Fine Arts department is as strong as any in the state. Speech and One-Act have won state championships in the past three years. Our band and vocal music programs are award-winning as well. We have several athletic teams poised to battle for more conference, district, and state championships. Extra-curriculars like Mock Trial, Robotics, and others get better and better each year. Our facilities are beautiful. We enjoy tremendous support from our parents, patrons, and community. We're adding to an already robust curriculum across the board. Life is good as a York Duke....and it's going to get even better!
This is why I get so passionate about defending what we're doing and how we're doing it. Don't believe the rhetoric that school spending causes high property taxes. I've written on this topic at least a dozen times since January. I've shared countless examples of valuation per student, tax levies, etc. Here are some more illustrations from YPS that show we have a funding problem and not a spending one.
* Our fiscal year ends on August 31st and we are projected to spend LESS in 2015-16 than we did in 2014-15. We project to spend $15,350,000 in 2015-16 compared to $15,358,531 in 2014-15
* We are projected to receive much less in 2015-16 than we did in 2014-15, however. It looks like we will receive $15,750,000 in 2015-16 compared to $16,040,850 in 2014-15. Keep in mind that we had to increase our property tax revenue by $1,000,000 when comparing this year to last year and we're still going to have LESS overall revenue. State aid went down $654,167 by itself.
* Our total, overall revenue in which to make a budget has increased just an average of 3% annually over the past three fiscal years. However, in order to make this small increase work, we’ve had to increase local property taxes by 29.9% in that same 3-year span. Yes, we have a property tax issue and we are way too reliant on local property tax revenue. We've said this for years.
* Our total, overall revenue in which to make a budget has increased just an average of 2.06% annually over the past seven fiscal years. However, in order to make that small increase work, we’ve had to increase local property taxes by 35.3% in that same 7-year span. Yes, we have a property tax issue and we are way too reliant on local property tax revenue. State Aid has gone from $3,710,000 in 2008-09 to $572,000 in 2016-17. See any correlation?
* As we look ahead to the 2016-17 fiscal year that begins on September 1st, we project that our total spending will increase about 2% over 2015-16, mostly due to fixed cost increases as we will be doing without in many areas once again as we delay curriculum adoptions, technology upgrades, and vehicle purchases. It is pretty much a sure thing that our total revenue will decrease by $200,000. We're looking to have to add $350,000 in local property tax revenue to help offset the loss of $988,000 more in state aid. You see, when you have to increase property taxes by $350,000 in order to keep your total revenue decline at $200,000 less than the year before, there's something wrong. When your total average spending increase is less than 1.8% for the past eight years, it isn't spending that's the problem.
We're real proud to serve the York Dukes. We're real proud to be part of Nebraska's public school system. We're real proud to work hard each day to get better and better. Thanks for your support.
Go Dukes!
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Myth Busting - York Duke Style
A myth that some folks around the state are trying to perpetuate is that school district spending is the main culprit of disproportionately high property taxes. Blaming public schools allows these institutes, agencies, and officials the opportunity to push other parts of their political agendas as well.
A look at the numbers here in York allows us to dispel that notion rather easily.
York Public School’s general fund spending only increased 12.9% between 2008-09 and 2015-16 for an average annual increase of just 1.8% but yet the general fund property taxes we received increased 54.4% between 2008-09 and 2015-16. Our total general fund revenue only increased 14.3% from 2008-09 through 2015-16 for an average annual increase of just 2.0% (despite our general fund property tax collection having an average annual increase of 7.7%.) State Aid has been a wild ride for us as it hit a high of $3,714,809 in 2009 and plummets to $572,781 in 2016-17. Do you suppose the drastic cut in state aid has anything to do with our over-reliance on local property taxes?
The way schools are funded in Nebraska is the culprit for high property taxes….politicians not fully funding the state aid formula are the culprit for high property taxes….not school districts meeting the needs of its children and community. In 1998-99, K-12 public education accounted for 32% of the state’s general fund budget. Today, that percentage has plummeted to 27.4%. If K-12 education received the same percentage of the state budget today that it used to, there would be over $190 million more in the TEEOSA (state aid) formula. The TEEOSA (state aid) formula has been tweaked at least a dozen times in the past several years. In most cases, it was to minimize the allocation to K-12 education so the state could balance its budget and force schools to request more local property taxes. That's how this system works.
As a state, Nebraska ranks 49th in the nation in the percentage of its state budget that is allocated to K-12 education. As a result, Nebraska as a state ranks 2nd in the nation in the percentage of revenue for public school districts that comes from local property taxes. All Nebraska public school districts already adhere to state mandated levy limit lids as the general fund + building fund maximum levy can’t exceed $1.05. All Nebraska public school districts already adhere to state mandated spending lids.
Perhaps the cost of educating children simply increases over time, especially those with increased needs, like almost everything else in our world…
According to a nearby agricultural coop, the cost of a bag of seed corn for our farmers has jumped quite a bit in recent years. The average cost in 2009 was $280. In 2015, the average cost was $350. This is a 25% jump in just six years for an average annual increase of 4.16%...but it’s still the same size of bag with the same seed corn contents….nothing more….nothing different….nothing less….
According to www.nfda.org, the median cost for an adult funeral in the United States has increased quite a bit in recent years too. In fact, in 2004 the median cost was $5,582 and it increased to $7,181 in 2014. This is a 28.6% increase in just ten years for an average annual increase of 2.86%....but it’s still the same funeral service, same coffin comparison, same level of preparations, nothing new….nothing more….nothing less….
According to Team Marketing Research, the cost of a hot dog and small soda at Wrigley Field (Home of the Cubs) has really increased over the past few years. In 2009, a small drink and hot dog would’ve cost you $6.00 but in 2015, that same duo would've set you back $10.25. This is a 70% increase in just six years for an average annual increase of over 11.6% but it’s still just a small drink and the same hot dog…nothing more….nothing less….
Public education changes every year and is currently doing more than ever for its students and communities….costs within education, just like every other walk of life, tend to increase some over time….especially when you’re adding more students, higher needs, and expanded programming….public education is MUCH MORE than it was just six years ago….doing much more than ever with increased accountability…after-school programs, summer programs, enrichment offerings, and much more are several common additions that have been made over the past few years in numerous school systems.
Once again, York is a great example of this. As stated on the Department of Education’s website, our PreK-12th enrollment grew from 1,232 in 2008-09 to 1,389 in 2015 for a 12.7% overall increase, or annual average increase of 2.1%. (yet less than our average spending growth.) The percentage of our students qualifying for free/reduced meals grew from 33.9% in 2008-09 to 45% in 2015 for an overall increase of 11.1%, or annual average increase of 1.85%. With this shift in demographics, we're dealing with increased student/family needs.
So, the next time you hear that public schools are to blame for high property taxes, do some digging and find out what's really going on with that district's revenue and spending data that is audit certified each fall. The institutes, agencies, and elected officials that want to see us fail won't like it but that's ok.
Go Dukes!
A look at the numbers here in York allows us to dispel that notion rather easily.
York Public School’s general fund spending only increased 12.9% between 2008-09 and 2015-16 for an average annual increase of just 1.8% but yet the general fund property taxes we received increased 54.4% between 2008-09 and 2015-16. Our total general fund revenue only increased 14.3% from 2008-09 through 2015-16 for an average annual increase of just 2.0% (despite our general fund property tax collection having an average annual increase of 7.7%.) State Aid has been a wild ride for us as it hit a high of $3,714,809 in 2009 and plummets to $572,781 in 2016-17. Do you suppose the drastic cut in state aid has anything to do with our over-reliance on local property taxes?
The way schools are funded in Nebraska is the culprit for high property taxes….politicians not fully funding the state aid formula are the culprit for high property taxes….not school districts meeting the needs of its children and community. In 1998-99, K-12 public education accounted for 32% of the state’s general fund budget. Today, that percentage has plummeted to 27.4%. If K-12 education received the same percentage of the state budget today that it used to, there would be over $190 million more in the TEEOSA (state aid) formula. The TEEOSA (state aid) formula has been tweaked at least a dozen times in the past several years. In most cases, it was to minimize the allocation to K-12 education so the state could balance its budget and force schools to request more local property taxes. That's how this system works.
As a state, Nebraska ranks 49th in the nation in the percentage of its state budget that is allocated to K-12 education. As a result, Nebraska as a state ranks 2nd in the nation in the percentage of revenue for public school districts that comes from local property taxes. All Nebraska public school districts already adhere to state mandated levy limit lids as the general fund + building fund maximum levy can’t exceed $1.05. All Nebraska public school districts already adhere to state mandated spending lids.
Perhaps the cost of educating children simply increases over time, especially those with increased needs, like almost everything else in our world…
According to a nearby agricultural coop, the cost of a bag of seed corn for our farmers has jumped quite a bit in recent years. The average cost in 2009 was $280. In 2015, the average cost was $350. This is a 25% jump in just six years for an average annual increase of 4.16%...but it’s still the same size of bag with the same seed corn contents….nothing more….nothing different….nothing less….
According to www.nfda.org, the median cost for an adult funeral in the United States has increased quite a bit in recent years too. In fact, in 2004 the median cost was $5,582 and it increased to $7,181 in 2014. This is a 28.6% increase in just ten years for an average annual increase of 2.86%....but it’s still the same funeral service, same coffin comparison, same level of preparations, nothing new….nothing more….nothing less….
According to Team Marketing Research, the cost of a hot dog and small soda at Wrigley Field (Home of the Cubs) has really increased over the past few years. In 2009, a small drink and hot dog would’ve cost you $6.00 but in 2015, that same duo would've set you back $10.25. This is a 70% increase in just six years for an average annual increase of over 11.6% but it’s still just a small drink and the same hot dog…nothing more….nothing less….
Public education changes every year and is currently doing more than ever for its students and communities….costs within education, just like every other walk of life, tend to increase some over time….especially when you’re adding more students, higher needs, and expanded programming….public education is MUCH MORE than it was just six years ago….doing much more than ever with increased accountability…after-school programs, summer programs, enrichment offerings, and much more are several common additions that have been made over the past few years in numerous school systems.
Once again, York is a great example of this. As stated on the Department of Education’s website, our PreK-12th enrollment grew from 1,232 in 2008-09 to 1,389 in 2015 for a 12.7% overall increase, or annual average increase of 2.1%. (yet less than our average spending growth.) The percentage of our students qualifying for free/reduced meals grew from 33.9% in 2008-09 to 45% in 2015 for an overall increase of 11.1%, or annual average increase of 1.85%. With this shift in demographics, we're dealing with increased student/family needs.
So, the next time you hear that public schools are to blame for high property taxes, do some digging and find out what's really going on with that district's revenue and spending data that is audit certified each fall. The institutes, agencies, and elected officials that want to see us fail won't like it but that's ok.
Go Dukes!
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
A Tribute to those that Provide Hope for Others
Coach Pat Summitt passed away earlier this morning. She deserves credit for being a pioneer in women's athletics and is considered by many as a national treasure. Yes, she won lots of games...1,098 I think. She also won 8 national championships and countless conference championships. That's great and all but she did so much more than just win.
Pat Summitt is a shining example of someone that made a tremendous difference in the lives of others by instilling in them "hope." I've read lots of books about Coach Summitt. I've seen every documentary ever made about her. She's a hero, plain and simple. I can make an extremely convincing argument that she's the greatest coach of all-time in any sport, any era, regardless of gender.
I so admire those that provide "hope" to others. Coach Summitt coached at Tennessee for over 40 years. She began by making $250 per month and was in charge of doing her team's laundry. She didn't care. She was 22 years old and just wanted to lead. And lead she did!
During her reign, she was a driving force for helping female sports get the support and recognition they deserve. The WNBA is celebrating its 20th year this season and nobody on the planet was more responsible for getting that league created and established more than Coach Summitt.
Coach Summitt instilled hope into many young student-athletes that hadn't had much hope and direction in their lives until they met her. She helped youngsters create a process that led to positive achievements, sustained success, and hope for a better tomorrow. Pat Summitt got people to believe in themselves and those around them and created a culture of trust, support, and team before self.
Coach Summitt was a teacher and a coach. She is responsible for hundreds of female leaders today that use the leadership principles they learned from her. She gave direction, purpose, and hope to a program and university that had never before had that sense of belonging.
When you think about the best teachers, coaches, and leaders you know...I bet they provide you with confidence and hope as well.
When I think of the amazing teachers and school personnel I've been lucky enough to know and work with, that's exactly what they do. They provide structure and hope for a better tomorrow in so many kids that need it now more than ever. Every unsuccessful person on the earth today is simply just one caring adult away from turning it around. One single person can make another person better. Do you have the courage to stand up like Coach Summitt did and help others? Can you believe in them so they can believe in themselves?
I hope so!
Pat Summitt is a shining example of someone that made a tremendous difference in the lives of others by instilling in them "hope." I've read lots of books about Coach Summitt. I've seen every documentary ever made about her. She's a hero, plain and simple. I can make an extremely convincing argument that she's the greatest coach of all-time in any sport, any era, regardless of gender.
I so admire those that provide "hope" to others. Coach Summitt coached at Tennessee for over 40 years. She began by making $250 per month and was in charge of doing her team's laundry. She didn't care. She was 22 years old and just wanted to lead. And lead she did!
During her reign, she was a driving force for helping female sports get the support and recognition they deserve. The WNBA is celebrating its 20th year this season and nobody on the planet was more responsible for getting that league created and established more than Coach Summitt.
Coach Summitt instilled hope into many young student-athletes that hadn't had much hope and direction in their lives until they met her. She helped youngsters create a process that led to positive achievements, sustained success, and hope for a better tomorrow. Pat Summitt got people to believe in themselves and those around them and created a culture of trust, support, and team before self.
Coach Summitt was a teacher and a coach. She is responsible for hundreds of female leaders today that use the leadership principles they learned from her. She gave direction, purpose, and hope to a program and university that had never before had that sense of belonging.
When you think about the best teachers, coaches, and leaders you know...I bet they provide you with confidence and hope as well.
When I think of the amazing teachers and school personnel I've been lucky enough to know and work with, that's exactly what they do. They provide structure and hope for a better tomorrow in so many kids that need it now more than ever. Every unsuccessful person on the earth today is simply just one caring adult away from turning it around. One single person can make another person better. Do you have the courage to stand up like Coach Summitt did and help others? Can you believe in them so they can believe in themselves?
I hope so!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
An Update from York Public Schools
York Public Schools is having a very productive summer and we hope you are as well. There is always lots to do to wrap up the past school year and feverishly prepare for the coming year.
Some Selected Highlights of our Summer
• Numerous teachers have been working on curriculum alignment, professional development, and/or specialized instructional methods
• Driver’s Education has been in full gear
• Our BOOST and ALL-STARS programs at YES and YMS have been enjoying their six weeks of free academic and enrichment programming that runs daily and is supported by grant funds
• The Free Breakfast and Lunch program at YES has served an average of over 150 meals daily
• Our Enrichment Center will move from behind the 16th Street Car Wash into the old Sports Shop east of the Courthouse in July
• YES is receiving new entry way doors and bathroom flooring
• The district office is working on mandatory state reporting as we wrap up the 2015-16 school year and prepare for 2016-17
• We’re excited about our “Entrepreneurship Academy” that will run from July 11th-16th in conjunction with the York Chamber, YCDC, and Extension Office as students from YPS, Emmanuel-Faith, and St. Joseph’s will learn about entrepreneurism, design products, and sell them at the York Sidewalk Sales on Saturday, July 16th
• The 2016-17 budget is beginning to take shape as we will have opportunities for patrons to come and learn more about our budget on August 8th, August 22nd, and/or September 12th
School Starts Thursday, August 11th
No doubt, we’ll begin to hear over the next few weeks that “school starts too early.” This happens each July as folks begin to realize their summer is winding down. Below are some “school calendar” issues that we always try to address.
• First off, we shoot for 179 days of school for YHS with YMS and YHS having a few less due to different parent-teacher conference formats
• This allows us to provide two “free” snow days for students and staff before we would need to begin adding days back at the end of school in May
• Since we offer so many semester-long courses at YHS, we try to ensure that 1st and 2nd semester are about the same number of days so each course is able to cover the same curriculum regardless of whether or not a student takes it in the fall or spring semester
• We’ve also heard from a lot of students and staff over the years that they truly prefer that 1st semester finals take place by Christmas Break
• We also have heard from lots of families and staff that they prefer Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday being taken off at Thanksgiving and our 3-day Spring Break as well
• Graduation has moved off of Memorial Day weekend, to the delight of many, and has shortened the amount of school day choices we have in May
When you factor in all of these issues, we begin school a little earlier than what we used to. We still have 179 student days like we’ve had for a long, long time; it just looks a little different.
Back to School Celebration and Community Pep Rally
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 16th as we will have our “Back to School Celebration” and Community Pep Rally at East Hill Park. The Celebration will begin at 5:30 with vendors, inflatables, etc. The Pep Rally will begin at 7:30. We will once again involve St. Joseph’s Catholic, Emmanuel Faith-Lutheran, York County Head Start, and all YPS buildings. Any vendors that are interested in attending can contact Mike Lucas at mike.lucas@yorkdukes.org.
Homecoming, Alumni Weekend, and Yorkfest
We are excited to work with the Chamber of Commerce to have YHS Homecoming and Alumni Weekend in conjunction with Yorkfest this September 8th-11th. We will have an “alumni tailgate” dinner at our September 9th YHS Homecoming football game at East Hill Park as well as a halftime recognition. We will also offer school tours for our alumni to see how things have changed. Look for more details to come out in August. Please let any alumni know that this would be a wonderful time to come back and show their “Duke Pride” while taking advantage of all the wonderful Yorkfest activities as well as YHS offerings.
Thankful Reflection
As we begin full throttle preparations for another school year, my 8th here in York, I simply want to sincerely thank all of our students, staff, parents, and patrons for your support of York Public Schools. We are proud of the important work we do and know that we must continue to push hard to get better and better. This community deserves the best!
We’d also like to thank the York News-Times for the tremendous job they do. We are so fortunate to have a newspaper that is committed to excellence. York is an outstanding place full of wonderful people. We feel honored to be a part of it.
Go Dukes!
Mike Lucas
Some Selected Highlights of our Summer
• Numerous teachers have been working on curriculum alignment, professional development, and/or specialized instructional methods
• Driver’s Education has been in full gear
• Our BOOST and ALL-STARS programs at YES and YMS have been enjoying their six weeks of free academic and enrichment programming that runs daily and is supported by grant funds
• The Free Breakfast and Lunch program at YES has served an average of over 150 meals daily
• Our Enrichment Center will move from behind the 16th Street Car Wash into the old Sports Shop east of the Courthouse in July
• YES is receiving new entry way doors and bathroom flooring
• The district office is working on mandatory state reporting as we wrap up the 2015-16 school year and prepare for 2016-17
• We’re excited about our “Entrepreneurship Academy” that will run from July 11th-16th in conjunction with the York Chamber, YCDC, and Extension Office as students from YPS, Emmanuel-Faith, and St. Joseph’s will learn about entrepreneurism, design products, and sell them at the York Sidewalk Sales on Saturday, July 16th
• The 2016-17 budget is beginning to take shape as we will have opportunities for patrons to come and learn more about our budget on August 8th, August 22nd, and/or September 12th
School Starts Thursday, August 11th
No doubt, we’ll begin to hear over the next few weeks that “school starts too early.” This happens each July as folks begin to realize their summer is winding down. Below are some “school calendar” issues that we always try to address.
• First off, we shoot for 179 days of school for YHS with YMS and YHS having a few less due to different parent-teacher conference formats
• This allows us to provide two “free” snow days for students and staff before we would need to begin adding days back at the end of school in May
• Since we offer so many semester-long courses at YHS, we try to ensure that 1st and 2nd semester are about the same number of days so each course is able to cover the same curriculum regardless of whether or not a student takes it in the fall or spring semester
• We’ve also heard from a lot of students and staff over the years that they truly prefer that 1st semester finals take place by Christmas Break
• We also have heard from lots of families and staff that they prefer Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday being taken off at Thanksgiving and our 3-day Spring Break as well
• Graduation has moved off of Memorial Day weekend, to the delight of many, and has shortened the amount of school day choices we have in May
When you factor in all of these issues, we begin school a little earlier than what we used to. We still have 179 student days like we’ve had for a long, long time; it just looks a little different.
Back to School Celebration and Community Pep Rally
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 16th as we will have our “Back to School Celebration” and Community Pep Rally at East Hill Park. The Celebration will begin at 5:30 with vendors, inflatables, etc. The Pep Rally will begin at 7:30. We will once again involve St. Joseph’s Catholic, Emmanuel Faith-Lutheran, York County Head Start, and all YPS buildings. Any vendors that are interested in attending can contact Mike Lucas at mike.lucas@yorkdukes.org.
Homecoming, Alumni Weekend, and Yorkfest
We are excited to work with the Chamber of Commerce to have YHS Homecoming and Alumni Weekend in conjunction with Yorkfest this September 8th-11th. We will have an “alumni tailgate” dinner at our September 9th YHS Homecoming football game at East Hill Park as well as a halftime recognition. We will also offer school tours for our alumni to see how things have changed. Look for more details to come out in August. Please let any alumni know that this would be a wonderful time to come back and show their “Duke Pride” while taking advantage of all the wonderful Yorkfest activities as well as YHS offerings.
Thankful Reflection
As we begin full throttle preparations for another school year, my 8th here in York, I simply want to sincerely thank all of our students, staff, parents, and patrons for your support of York Public Schools. We are proud of the important work we do and know that we must continue to push hard to get better and better. This community deserves the best!
We’d also like to thank the York News-Times for the tremendous job they do. We are so fortunate to have a newspaper that is committed to excellence. York is an outstanding place full of wonderful people. We feel honored to be a part of it.
Go Dukes!
Mike Lucas
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
145 Years Old and Getting Better with "The Process"
York Public Schools became an official district 145 years ago today on June 14, 1871. We are so proud of our rich tradition. We are so proud of all the York Dukes that have come before us, what they achieved, what they stood for, and what they endured. We feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to build upon our district's many successes and proud tradition.
I believe that our staff and students understand that we work hard to represent our community, our school district, and our alumni in a positive fashion in everything we do. We simply want to make sure that when our time is up that we've left York Public Schools better than it was when we got here.
I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish the past seven years in York. However, we can't be satisfied or lose our sense of urgency and desire to get better in everything we do. We try to compartmentalize each year and they all take on their own identity and life. 2015-16 was awesome but it is over. We have to work harder than ever to make sure 2016-17 is phenomenal. Attention to detail, trust, respect for all, and an insane work ethic will go a long way in determining how high we can go this next school year.
Great leaders like Jimbo Fisher often tell organizations and teams to "focus on the process" and the results will take care of themselves. Too often, we get hung up on success, winning, and failure without worrying enough about the "processes" we go through to prepare to be successful. We can't have a successful 2016-17 budget in July. We have to focus on the budget preparation process this July to ensure that our budget is successful when it counts next fiscal year. We can't win another softball district championship in August. We simply have to prepare to do the little things right so that when it comes time to compete for another championship, we're ready because the process has been put into place. We can't win another speech championship until 2017 so sitting around thinking about it now isn't as important as preparing for it now. Preparation is the key. Being purposeful in what you do as you pursue goals is the key. Defining exactly what it is you want is the place to start. Then, you need to put plans in place to get there.
I guess what I'm trying to say is we all have to enjoy "the journey" or "the process" and not lose sight of it due to being so focused on the end results or destination. Enjoy the ride. Chunk it down. Do the little things well so the big things will be successful. Be purposeful in your daily planning as that is what adds up each day to put you in position to be successful when the time comes. Win one day at a time. Heck, win one hour at a time. "The Process" precedes positive results. Embrace it.
Go Dukes!
I believe that our staff and students understand that we work hard to represent our community, our school district, and our alumni in a positive fashion in everything we do. We simply want to make sure that when our time is up that we've left York Public Schools better than it was when we got here.
I'm proud of what we've been able to accomplish the past seven years in York. However, we can't be satisfied or lose our sense of urgency and desire to get better in everything we do. We try to compartmentalize each year and they all take on their own identity and life. 2015-16 was awesome but it is over. We have to work harder than ever to make sure 2016-17 is phenomenal. Attention to detail, trust, respect for all, and an insane work ethic will go a long way in determining how high we can go this next school year.
Great leaders like Jimbo Fisher often tell organizations and teams to "focus on the process" and the results will take care of themselves. Too often, we get hung up on success, winning, and failure without worrying enough about the "processes" we go through to prepare to be successful. We can't have a successful 2016-17 budget in July. We have to focus on the budget preparation process this July to ensure that our budget is successful when it counts next fiscal year. We can't win another softball district championship in August. We simply have to prepare to do the little things right so that when it comes time to compete for another championship, we're ready because the process has been put into place. We can't win another speech championship until 2017 so sitting around thinking about it now isn't as important as preparing for it now. Preparation is the key. Being purposeful in what you do as you pursue goals is the key. Defining exactly what it is you want is the place to start. Then, you need to put plans in place to get there.
I guess what I'm trying to say is we all have to enjoy "the journey" or "the process" and not lose sight of it due to being so focused on the end results or destination. Enjoy the ride. Chunk it down. Do the little things well so the big things will be successful. Be purposeful in your daily planning as that is what adds up each day to put you in position to be successful when the time comes. Win one day at a time. Heck, win one hour at a time. "The Process" precedes positive results. Embrace it.
Go Dukes!
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
June 8, 1990
Today is obviously June 8th and that typically makes me take a stroll back down Memory Lane to 1990. You see, I graduated from high school on June 8, 1990. It kind of seems like yesterday in many ways and then it seems like 150 years ago in other ways.
Little did I know on June 8, 1990 that I would marry a girl from Nebraska! There was no way to tell that we would have four children and that I would end up a school administrator!
Life is funny. The twists and turns and zigs and zags that you take and don't take all add up and play a huge part in where you're at today, who you're with, and what your future looks like.
Agreeing to play football out of state in Atchison, Kansas at Benedictine College was the first major decision that impacted my future. I didn't know then but I would never ever live in my beloved Florida again once I reported for 3-a-days in August 1990.
Meeting Liesl Dean from Omaha, Nebraska in the Benedictine Library was the next twist of fate. You see, she had a work study assignment in the college library and I wasn't exactly the smartest guy on campus. I was scurrying one night to try and type up a paper for a class when I asked her to help me with the computer. After I summoned her over, I confessed to her that I didn't know how to turn the computer on. She thought I was kidding. Sadly, I was not. It took me a lot longer to get to know her better and garner the courage to ask her out but that happened in 1991 and that was all she wrote....I was whipped and still am today.
I began my college career as an accounting major but was never able to fully grasp "debits" and "credits." My accounting professor, who was a huge football fan, told me he saw me as more of an educator than an accountant. He told me to go talk to Olive Burns in the Education Dept and my life took another turn. She talked me into becoming an elementary education major. I loved it. The four years I spent as a 3rd grade teacher and football and basketball coach at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas were amazing. I was lucky to be a part of USD #207.
In late May 1995, I had just finished my first year of teaching and was loving life. I had planned to spend the upcoming summer catching fish and playing softball. My wife had other plans. Unbeknownst to me, she had signed me up for "educational leadership" classes at Benedictine College, where they had just started their brand new Masters' Program. I was livid. I couldn't believe she would do that!
I went to class the first day with a horrible attitude. I couldn't stand school principals. No way in the world did I want to become one! I really disliked most of the principals and assistant principals I had in middle school and high school and wanted no part of that world. This was not going to be fun!
As luck would have it, my professor for the first leadership class I ever took was a pretty dynamic guy by the name of Dr. Steve Joel, who is now superintendent of schools in Lincoln, Nebraska. Steve had been superintendent of schools in Troy, Kansas and had made connections with Benedictine to teach for them. By lunchtime on day #1, I was hooked and wanted nothing more than to become a school leader. Talk about a complete 180 degree turnaround in just four hours! Ironically, I now teach that same class at Benedictine as Steve turned it over to me several years ago.
Now, I've just finished my 18th year of school leadership and have 13-15 more to go. Who would have ever thought? I hope to be in York for another five years or more. Opportunities have been there to leave but we've had no desire to quit being a Duke. This is a special place with tremendous people. Sometimes, doing "nothing" is more important than doing "something."
It all began on June 8, 1990 with a handshake and receiving of my high school diploma. Then, the wheels of motion took over and it's been a great ride so far with hopefully many more chapters to come!
Had I transferred from Benedictine to Troy State in December 1990 like I wanted to, no telling what could have happened. Had I not visited with Olive Burns about becoming an education major, who knows where I would be today. Had Liesl and I never dated, would I have ended up back in Florida? Would I have had a wife that pushed me and supported me as much as she did/has? Had Steve Joel not taught that first class, would I have been so enthusiastic about becoming a school administrator? Had we left York by now, would I love my job as much as I do now?
Zigs and zags, twists and turns, and forks in the road all add up and make us who we are today. Enjoy the journey!
Little did I know on June 8, 1990 that I would marry a girl from Nebraska! There was no way to tell that we would have four children and that I would end up a school administrator!
Life is funny. The twists and turns and zigs and zags that you take and don't take all add up and play a huge part in where you're at today, who you're with, and what your future looks like.
Agreeing to play football out of state in Atchison, Kansas at Benedictine College was the first major decision that impacted my future. I didn't know then but I would never ever live in my beloved Florida again once I reported for 3-a-days in August 1990.
Meeting Liesl Dean from Omaha, Nebraska in the Benedictine Library was the next twist of fate. You see, she had a work study assignment in the college library and I wasn't exactly the smartest guy on campus. I was scurrying one night to try and type up a paper for a class when I asked her to help me with the computer. After I summoned her over, I confessed to her that I didn't know how to turn the computer on. She thought I was kidding. Sadly, I was not. It took me a lot longer to get to know her better and garner the courage to ask her out but that happened in 1991 and that was all she wrote....I was whipped and still am today.
I began my college career as an accounting major but was never able to fully grasp "debits" and "credits." My accounting professor, who was a huge football fan, told me he saw me as more of an educator than an accountant. He told me to go talk to Olive Burns in the Education Dept and my life took another turn. She talked me into becoming an elementary education major. I loved it. The four years I spent as a 3rd grade teacher and football and basketball coach at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas were amazing. I was lucky to be a part of USD #207.
In late May 1995, I had just finished my first year of teaching and was loving life. I had planned to spend the upcoming summer catching fish and playing softball. My wife had other plans. Unbeknownst to me, she had signed me up for "educational leadership" classes at Benedictine College, where they had just started their brand new Masters' Program. I was livid. I couldn't believe she would do that!
I went to class the first day with a horrible attitude. I couldn't stand school principals. No way in the world did I want to become one! I really disliked most of the principals and assistant principals I had in middle school and high school and wanted no part of that world. This was not going to be fun!
As luck would have it, my professor for the first leadership class I ever took was a pretty dynamic guy by the name of Dr. Steve Joel, who is now superintendent of schools in Lincoln, Nebraska. Steve had been superintendent of schools in Troy, Kansas and had made connections with Benedictine to teach for them. By lunchtime on day #1, I was hooked and wanted nothing more than to become a school leader. Talk about a complete 180 degree turnaround in just four hours! Ironically, I now teach that same class at Benedictine as Steve turned it over to me several years ago.
Now, I've just finished my 18th year of school leadership and have 13-15 more to go. Who would have ever thought? I hope to be in York for another five years or more. Opportunities have been there to leave but we've had no desire to quit being a Duke. This is a special place with tremendous people. Sometimes, doing "nothing" is more important than doing "something."
It all began on June 8, 1990 with a handshake and receiving of my high school diploma. Then, the wheels of motion took over and it's been a great ride so far with hopefully many more chapters to come!
Had I transferred from Benedictine to Troy State in December 1990 like I wanted to, no telling what could have happened. Had I not visited with Olive Burns about becoming an education major, who knows where I would be today. Had Liesl and I never dated, would I have ended up back in Florida? Would I have had a wife that pushed me and supported me as much as she did/has? Had Steve Joel not taught that first class, would I have been so enthusiastic about becoming a school administrator? Had we left York by now, would I love my job as much as I do now?
Zigs and zags, twists and turns, and forks in the road all add up and make us who we are today. Enjoy the journey!
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Summer, Summer, Summer
Summer is a very busy time for York Public Schools.
We have 75+ elementary students involved in our Summer BOOST Program, which extends the school day and school year through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. We are serving FREE breakfasts and lunches for 1-18 year olds each week day through July 8th out of YES and are averaging over 165 student meals daily so far. We have credit recovery summer school going on the month of June at the Enrichment Center for high school students that need to earn credits.
In addition, we're also cranking up our Driver's Education programming. We also offer a wide array of athletic camps for youth, with basketball and wrestling clinics going on right now. On Monday, June 6th, Cal Williams and Jason Hirschfeld will host a large gathering of ag educators at YHS to discuss the importance of agriculture education in our schools.
Throughout the summer, we have staff from our Family Foundations and Special Education departments that will work with students and families on a very regular basis. Our technology department is again offering "Wired on Wednesdays" professional development offerings for teachers and support staff that want to come in and learn about different technology integration tools and initiatives. Title I teachers offer a summer reading program one day a week all summer.
The weight room opens on Monday and will be visited by over 120 student-athletes daily all summer. June and July are also the months that we get important "summer facility projects" completed. This year, YES will get new entry doors, for example. Concrete work will be done on each campus. YMS will receive some new entry way carpet. YHS will receive new locker room lockers, has had the old wrestling room turned into an organized and clean storage area, clean-up is underway in the CWAC, etc.
Many of our teachers are also working on curriculum updates and instructional strategies. Our school improvement plan is being worked on. The board of education will have a planning retreat with the administrative team and the beat goes on and on and on. We'll be moving our Enrichment Center from behind the North Runza to 522 Grant Avenue where the old "Sports Shop" used to be located.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, we'll also be putting together a budget for 2016-17 that includes a loss in state aid of $1,200,000 and no valuation increase for land within the YPS boundaries.
As you can see, the summer is extremely busy and we need to make sure we get a lot accomplished so the fall and spring can be as efficient and enjoyable as possible.
Our teachers and staff return on August 8th and school begins on August 11th. We'll be ready!
GO DUKES!
We have 75+ elementary students involved in our Summer BOOST Program, which extends the school day and school year through a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. We are serving FREE breakfasts and lunches for 1-18 year olds each week day through July 8th out of YES and are averaging over 165 student meals daily so far. We have credit recovery summer school going on the month of June at the Enrichment Center for high school students that need to earn credits.
In addition, we're also cranking up our Driver's Education programming. We also offer a wide array of athletic camps for youth, with basketball and wrestling clinics going on right now. On Monday, June 6th, Cal Williams and Jason Hirschfeld will host a large gathering of ag educators at YHS to discuss the importance of agriculture education in our schools.
Throughout the summer, we have staff from our Family Foundations and Special Education departments that will work with students and families on a very regular basis. Our technology department is again offering "Wired on Wednesdays" professional development offerings for teachers and support staff that want to come in and learn about different technology integration tools and initiatives. Title I teachers offer a summer reading program one day a week all summer.
The weight room opens on Monday and will be visited by over 120 student-athletes daily all summer. June and July are also the months that we get important "summer facility projects" completed. This year, YES will get new entry doors, for example. Concrete work will be done on each campus. YMS will receive some new entry way carpet. YHS will receive new locker room lockers, has had the old wrestling room turned into an organized and clean storage area, clean-up is underway in the CWAC, etc.
Many of our teachers are also working on curriculum updates and instructional strategies. Our school improvement plan is being worked on. The board of education will have a planning retreat with the administrative team and the beat goes on and on and on. We'll be moving our Enrichment Center from behind the North Runza to 522 Grant Avenue where the old "Sports Shop" used to be located.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, we'll also be putting together a budget for 2016-17 that includes a loss in state aid of $1,200,000 and no valuation increase for land within the YPS boundaries.
As you can see, the summer is extremely busy and we need to make sure we get a lot accomplished so the fall and spring can be as efficient and enjoyable as possible.
Our teachers and staff return on August 8th and school begins on August 11th. We'll be ready!
GO DUKES!
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