ST. LOUIS PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

To:       Darcie Steeves

 

From:        Debra Bowers, Superintendent

      Tami Reynolds, Director of Special Education 

      Jeff Priess, Director of Business Services

Date:      February 16, 2006

 

RE:      Early Childhood Special Education Budget 

Thank you for sharing your questions about the early childhood special education budget.  We appreciate the opportunity to address these questions and to clarify issues related to the ECSE budget.  The following are responses to the questions included in your letter: 

What expenses were included in the St. Louis Park figures you presented to the Board?  Were these the same expenses that were included in the special education expenses you presented from neighboring districts? Is it your understanding that the figures you presented to the school board represent the same expenses in our district as in other districts you compared it with?

• The expenses that were included in the presentation to the board include direct program costs associated with the ECSE program.  The term “direct program costs” refers to the cost of staff whose sole responsibility is within the ECSE program.

 

Comparative district numbers come from the Minnesota Department of Education web site. We used numbers that correspond to UFARS program expenditure (412).  Program 412 is the program code required for Minnesota school districts to report ECSE expenditures.  While comparison numbers from district to district are not perfect, a variance as large as our districts is a very good indication that reductions are necessary and appropriate. 

What is the exact amount of the recommended cuts to early childhood special education in the district?

• The amount of the recommended ECSE cuts was $300,000.

 

Are there recommended cuts at this time to any other portion of the school district’s education budget other than early childhood special education?

• The district will be reducing teaching and other positions as a result of a slight enrollment decline.  No other reductions are being considered at this time.  The district has made over $7 million in reductions over the last 4 years.  These cuts were made in the areas of district administration, operations and maintenance as well as reductions to regular and special education program areas.

 

How much of the expenses presented to the Board were one time expenses attributed to the move from contracts at Groves and St. Davids to the Central building?

• Start-up costs for the move from contracts at Groves and St. Davids were $22,436. These costs were included in the information that was presented to the board.  These numbers remain in the current year’s budget.  The district saved approximately $200,000 by ending the private contracts.   Anticipated savings from ending the contracts were not realized as planned due to the fact that enrollment dropped in this program by 15 percent.

 

How much money do ECSE children bring into the district in state and federal funds each year?

• For 2004-2005, state dollars generated from the 51 ADM (average daily membership) in ECSE was $298,259, and federal preschool dollars were $41,415.

 

In recommending cuts, was any other district comparison data considered in addition to spending/expenses data?

• The district reviewed staff and student numbers along with the type of students served and program models.

 

How much will it cost the district next year to begin and run the PYP program in the elementary schools?

• The district is estimating that the cost for PYP will be $347,000.  This program will be funded by a combination of state, federal and local revenue as well as general fund revenue.

 

Again, we thank you for sharing your questions.  We are in the process of developing further descriptions of programming options for next year, and will share this information with staff and parents as soon as it is completed.  We continue to be committed to providing your children with quality special education services.