Transcript Document

High School Connections IV Program
Presented by
March 22, 2012
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Our Mission
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“To prepare all students to attain their full potential as
life-long learners, critical thinkers, and productive
citizens of our diverse community and global society.”
Five years ago the District committed to
completing the Connections program K-12.
March 22, 2012
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Connections IV is the Final Piece
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Connections IV completes this service delivery model
for students with a primary diagnosis of Autism
Spectrum or Non Verbal Learning Disability.
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In which services are delivered effectively through specialized
programming and support.
Connections IV prepares students for successful post
secondary education, employment and independent
living.
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Why Connections IV?
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Public commitment 5 years ago.
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Connection IV continues to be an “unmet need.”
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Director Huber and Principal Callen
Proven, successful education model for students
with complex learning needs.
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Superintendent, SC, ABRHS principal & Dir. of Pupil Services
Preschool – 8th Grade
Reduces overall education spending.
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SMART Goal #2 – Reduce costs through program development
FinCom – Looking to reduce recurring expenses
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We Value our District’s Strengths
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Our thanks to a strong Central Office
Administration
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Dr. Mills has demonstrated great educational
leadership over the last three years.
He’s brought an inclusionary leadership style as well
as greater transparency and discipline to the budget
process.
He and the Central Office have successfully
maintained high quality education through difficult
financial times.
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We Value our District Staff
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We thank Liza Huber for her vision, transparency,
commitment to student needs, and leadership.
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We thank Alixe Callen and Liza Huber for working
collaboratively and creatively to reallocate resources.
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Maintaining student services during difficult budget cycles
Establishing a pilot summer program with Community Ed.
Completing the Hayward Center & Learning Center 5
Beginning the Connections IV program in FY ‘13 with a
Transition assistant and .2 Counselor.
We also thank Principal Callen and Director Huber
for setting up a committee to pursue the completion
of Connections IV.
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We Value our School Committee
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We want to thank Paul Murphy and Mike
Coppolino for being School Committee reps
to the SpEd PAC this year.
Their guidance and advocacy has been
enormously appreciated.
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Where We Are Now
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We know it’s late in the budget process and that
options are limited at this time.
We know that the Finance Committee is
pushing back hard on school budgets.
We realize it’s too late to add FTEs to the FY
‘13 budget.
We recognize that funds are limited and that
there has to be a balance between funding of
educational needs and town services.
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This Year
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We prepared a cost analysis of Connections IV
for the School Committee.
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Analysis shows recurring net savings to the District.
The School Committee requested additional
information about financial benefits to the
District.
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Analysis shows projected net savings of
approximately $900,000 over the next four years.
We hope to receive feedback soon.
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This Year
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We’ve sat through the budget process as it unfolded
month to month.
We’ve watched level service budgets be defined in a
way that reduced services for special education students
with no School Committee discussion or analysis of the
consequences.
We’ve watched the School Committee accommodate the
ever changing and increasingly costly Lower Fields
project.
We’ve watched as Don Aicardi noted a $540,000 over
budgeted reimbursement in Circuit Breaker without
public discussion.
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This Year
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We’ve heard about artificial turf, hot dogs and T shirts
but we didn’t hear how these things compare to the
unfunded educational needs prioritized by building
leaders.
We’ve sent letters requesting public dialogue on
important special education issues, but no public
discussion has occurred.
We didn’t hear a discussion of the Connections IV
Program. And now it’s too late.
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Our Hopes
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In the past you’ve found creative solutions to
provide necessary services.
At the end of FY ’12 we hope you’re able to find
a way to reinstate the special education
assistant cuts or expand Connections IV.
We hope that more can be done for this
vulnerable population of students in need.
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Looking Forward
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For five years we’ve worked very hard to change
the tone of the PAC and District’s relationship to
one based on respect, mutual trust and
transparency.
We’ve had successes together, but this year we
feel the process hasn’t adequately supported
Special Education students’ needs.
We are committed to making next year better.
We look forward to talking with you in
September.
March 22, 2012
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