2011 School Budget Information

As parents, you are understandably concerned about how the district's 2011 budget cuts will affect your children. To help you understand the financial situation that currently faces the district, here are some facts:

• Decisions regarding the budget will be made with an effort to preserve student progress toward the district graduate ends, and also to raise or maintain student achievement in core subject areas.

• The situation we find ourselves in is shared by all districts across the state. To be prepared, the district developed a worst-case scenario that estimates a $33 million cut. That $33 million amount is based on the fact the district is expected to sustain the two previous across-the-board cuts from fiscal years 2009 ($3.3 million) and 2010 ($17.5 million), and also will not receive any more federal stimulus money ($14 million in 2010).

• The district is still waiting to find out how much money it will receive from the state. The governor asked the Iowa Legislature to fund an increase of 2 percent allowable growth and restore $100 million to schools from the state's cash reserve funds, which will help alleviate some cuts, but not all.

• More than 84 percent of the DMPS budget goes to compensation packages (wages and benefits) for all staff. There's no way the district can cut $33 million from the little more than 15 percent that is left in the budget pie.

• We also have funding "silos" that cannot be touched (as stipulated by the organizations or government entities that provide those funds). What will be affected by state funding reductions primarily are programs, services and positions funded by state foundation aid (general fund money).

• Worst-case scenario staffing allocations (which classes, teachers and services will be affected) are being developed for each school, including ours, but how our school and others will ultimately be affected won't really be clear until about late March or early April, when DMPS is notified about the amount of funding it will receive from the state.

We ask for your patience as we work to piece together next year's financial puzzle. Please be assured all of us are dedicated more than ever to providing a quality education for your children. For information updates about next year's budget, visit the district Web site (www.dmps.k12.ia.us), and tune into local media or cable Channel 12. - Leigh R. McGivern, APR, Director of Board & Community Relations & Legislative Liaison -
Des Moines Public Schools