- Westminster Public Schools
- April 3_Board Faces Tough Budget Choices
D50 Insider 2013 - 14 Archives
- D50 Insider Archives Home
- May 22nd Edition
- D50’s Proud Graduates Receive Diplomas
- ESP Employees of Year Named
- Principals for WHS and Fairview Elementary Named
- HLHS Teacher Selected to Shape National Curriculum on Holocaust
- WHS Receives Project Lead the Way Certification
- Congressman Impressed with Colorado STEM Academy
- A Night of Honors for WHS Seniors
- WHS Students Meet with BOE
- Metz Elementary Playground to Receive Upgrade
- Retirees Honored for their Years of Service
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- May 8th Edition
- Academic Gains Continue in District 50
- WHS Principal Finalists Meet Public
- Meet Neal Wolcott, Westminster Elks Teacher of the Year
- Legislature Finalizes Education Budget, Cuts in D50 Still Projected
- STEM Students in Spotlight
- Our Voice Takes on Health
- Bus Road-E-O Highlights Best Drivers
- Beginning Band Students Play the Big Stage at Westminster High School
- Retirement Tea is Monday
- D50 Ed Foundation Golf Tourney is June 4th
- April 24th Edition
- Ken Ciancio Selected to Serve on Board of Education
- Jessica Messmer, Elks Teacher of the Year
- Westy Honored in Adams County Youth Challenge
- Four Schools Participating in ‘Sports Matters’ Tennis Fundraising Program
- Student’s Artistic Talents Showcased
- STEM Fair is May 3 at Westminster High School
- TCAP Success Sends Students to Coors Field
- Elementary Honor Choir Takes to Stage
- Metz Elementary Inspired by Celebrity Visit
- Tennyson Knolls Principal Finds Unique Way to Raise Money
- Westminster High School’s Annual Plant Sale
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- April 3rd Edition
- Landgraf Resigning from BOE, Moving out of District
- Meet Teacher of the Year Teresa Martinez
- Board Faces Tough Budget Choices
- ‘Safety Contract’ is Available for Prom and Graduation Season
- ‘Thriving Schools Initiative’ Aimed at Keeping Students Healthy
- Skyline Vista Supports Pediatric Cancer Research
- How Did You Spend Your Spring Break?
- Frank DeAngelis: “I’ll always be a Ranum Raider”
- Date Set for Retirement Tea
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- March 13th Edition
- Teachers of the Year Named
- State Board Impressed by District 50’s Progress
- Marijuana Awareness and Use a Timely Issue
- Students Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
- District 50 Education Foundation Supports Creativity Grants
- High School Musical on Stage at WHS
- District 50 Community Brings Good Luck to Denver Nuggets
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- February 27th Edition
- Inspiring Message Kicks Off TCAP Testing in District 50
- District Undergoes Safety Training
- Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis to Speak at Ed Foundation Breakfast
- Enrollment Underway for Colorado STEM Academy
- ‘Incredible Years’ Promotes Life Skills
- ‘High School Musical’ Coming to WHS Stage
- Orchestra Festival Held at Westminster High School
- Art on Display at Westminster High School
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- February 13th Edition
- January 30th Edition
- District 50 Moving Forward, Addressing Challenges
- District 50 Graduation Rate Up, Dropout Rate Down
- Video Examines D50’s Competency Based System
- District Contending for National Education Grant
- Hodgkins Student, Family Profiled on ‘Feel Good Friday’
- Colorado STEM Academy Information Night Planned
- Students to ‘Celebrate Academic Excellence’ February 8th
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair is February 8th
- Adams County Honor Music Festival Plays at Westminster High School
- Hodgkins Elementary Cheers on the Broncos
- Broncos Super Bowl Trivia Contest
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- January 16th Edition
- District Takes Proactive Approach to Teen Pot Issue
- State of District Report to be Delivered January 28
- Wolves Basketball at Pepsi Center
- Man with No Arms Motivates, Inspires WHS Students
- “Have a Heart” Recognized for Holiday Giving
- Financial Services Department Receives Major Award
- Students, Staff Support the Broncos
- Broncos Trivia Contest
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 19th Edition
- District 50 Video Christmas Card
- District 50 Students Take Part in ‘Hour of Code’
- High School STEM Students Create, Give Innovative Gifts
- District 50 Recognized as Public Health ‘Hero of the Year’
- College Tuition and Scholarship Fair Coming to WHS
- Ranum Students Step up to Help Food Drive
- ‘Have a Heart’ Gearing up for Holidays
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- December 5th Edition
- New Board of Education Shares Laughs, Commits to Hard Work
- Schools on Display in Annual Gallery Walk
- Hidden Lake Counselor Helping Typhoon Victims in the Philippines
- Holiday Season at ‘Have a Heart’
- Students ‘Celebrate Academic Excellence’
- ‘Our Voice’ Explores the Creative Talents of two WHS Students
- D50 Nuggets Night is March 5
- STEM Students Learn from Former Nuggets Players
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- November 14 Edition
- Loss of Mill Levy Override Means Tough Decisions for District 50
- McCoy, Davidek Elected to Board of Education
- Students Plant Trees to Remember Scott Carpenter
- Flynn Elementary Celebrates Veterans Day
- Nuggets Star Shares a Positive Message at Sunset Ridge
- A Special ‘Nuggets Night’ for Skyline Vista
- Vote for the 2014 ‘One Book 4 Colorado’ Book
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Available to Seniors
- Highlights of WHS Play Available
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 31st Edition
- ‘PMI’ is Changing the Way Math is Taught
- District Accountability Advisory Committee Helps with Key Decisions
- WHS Prepares Students for Successful Future
- Scott Carpenter Funeral This Weekend in Boulder
- ‘Hy Five Luncheon’ Supports Local Kids
- WHS Football Team in State Playoffs
- Boys’ Soccer Team Make Playoffs
- Eurydice at Westminster High School November 7th, 8th and 9th
- ‘Fall Showcase’ Highlights Talents of Students, Teachers
- Cupcake Bake Off
- Halloween Costumes on Display at ECC
- Substitute Teacher Opportunities Available
- Ed Foundation Silent Auction Next Friday
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 17th Edition
- Prize Patrol Hands Out 23 Creativity Grants
- Scott Carpenter Middle School Honors the Memory of a Real-Life Hero
- Flu Shots Available
- Rapids Help Students with Soccer, Reading Skills
- ‘Eurydice’ Coming to WHS Stage
- ‘Have a Heart’ Gearing up for Holiday Season
- Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31
- Fall Choirs Bring the Crowd
- Westminster High School Band Students Learn From the Pro
- Westminster Runs with the Wolves
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- October 3rd Edition
- Sherrelwood in Academic Spotlight
- October is Family and School Partnership in Education Month
- ‘A Day Made Better’ at Hodgkins Elementary
- Westminster City Council Endorses Mill Levy Override
- Alumni Golf Tournament Raises Money, Unites Community
- Homecoming Parade Marches to ‘Masquerade’ Theme
- ‘Alive at 25’ Reminds Students to Drive With Care
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- September 19th Edition
- STEM Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Technology
- 'Reading the Game' with the Colorado Rapids
- A.C. Brings Cool Air to T.K.
- Unique Act Headlines Mesa Fundraiser Friday Night
- Sun Shines for Putts for a Purpose
- Air Force JROTC Presents Colors at Rockies Game
- Homecoming Parade, Powder Puff and Alumni Football Next Saturday
- Run With the Wolves Rescheduled
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- September 5th Edition
- Two Candidates Likely Headed to Board of Education
- Hyland Hills Endorses Mill Levy Override
- Voters to Decide on Statewide Education Tax
- ‘Stuff for Students’ Puts School Supplies in Student’s Hands
- Getting Up to Par
- Alumni Golf Tournament Sparking Good Natured Rivalry
- Mesa Fundraiser Features one of Area’s Best Bands
- STEM Ribbon Cutting on Monday
- Season Opener Brings out Bronco Colors in D50
- Register Now to ‘Run with the Wolves’
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
- August 22nd Edition
- D50 Students Head Back to Class
- District 50 Shows Steady Growth
- D50 Board Approves Mill Levy Override Ballot Proposal
- New Principals Join the Team
- District 50 Adds 52 New Teachers
- Summer Renovations Bring Better Buildings
- Welcome Back Rally Focuses on the Future
- WHS Freshman Class Ready to Go
- Alumni Golf Tournament Planned for September
- Register Now to ‘Run with the Wolves’
- D50 TV Schedule
- Calendar
-
Board Faces Tough Budget Choices
It’s not a matter of “if” there will be budget cuts next year in District 50, but rather how much will be cut and where those cuts will take place. That was the consensus view from the Board of Education after Tuesday night’s study session that took a look at the 2014-15 budget situation.
David Bell, the head of the District’s independent Financial Oversight Committee, told board members that last November’s failed mill levy override will have an impact. Voters rejected a request for an additional $5.25 million dollars a year which would have essentially maintained the status quo and kept the District from depleting its unallocated budget reserves. “We can’t continue to deficit spend,” he said. “The election has consequences and now we have to make choices.”
The board was presented with four budget scenarios to consider. By law, the District is required to include a .9% increase in funding for PERA, but beyond that board members said, “Everything is on the table.”
The four options:- Status Quo--- Essentially holding on to current budget with required PERA increase of .9%.
- Minimum --$2.5 million in cuts with required PERA increase of .9%.
- Mid-Range --$3.8 million in cuts with required PERA increase of .9%.
- Maximum—5.2 million in cuts with required PERA increase of .9%.
The Status Quo option was quickly rejected by all the board members because it would leave almost nothing in unallocated reserves. The Fiscal Oversight Committee sent board members a letter recommending the maximum level cuts of $5.2 million. During the meeting Bell told the board that while the committee’s formal recommendation is for maximum cuts, the board should allow for some flexibility because the state legislature is still working on the school finance act.
Lawmakers are expected to increase education funding this year to keep up with inflation, but will not provide the significant increase in money that superintendents had lobbied for earlier in the year. Superintendent Pam Swanson joined other district leaders in asking lawmakers to take as much as $275 million from the State Education Fund and send the money back to local schools. It appears that number will now be closer to $100 million.
Additional funds will likely be allocated to support specific education programs including English Language Learners (ELL) but Swanson warned that, “many of those dollars have strings attached and can only be viewed as one time money.”
The District has already sought budget input from the District Advisory Accountability Committee (DAAC) and negotiations are currently underway with the Westminster Education Association (WEA). The budgeting process also encourages public comment.
Under State law final budget must be approved by the Board of Education June 30.
The Insider will keep you updated.
Posted April 3, 2014