Delaware School Money Needed

Times are tough economically. We all agree.

Schools play an important role in economic recovery. We all agree.

So, how is it that schools, have had to take more than their fair share of cuts in state funding? How can we move forward, when much of the past three years have been spent dismantling much of what was designed to help our students achieve at increasing higher rates?

Many of the cuts in state support to schools have been temporarily filled with federal support funds known as Stimulus Funds, Stabilization Funds and Ed Jobs Funds. All have provided protection against mass lay-offs of teachers, administrators and support staff.

This year, we hope and pray (legal prayers only) that our Governor and General Assembly will make it a priority to guard the public education budget and even restore many of the previously eliminated forms of support.

All districts have been affected in much the same way. Each has managed to save what it can by drawing from reserve funds: Reserves that might be used to pay for major emergency expenses. Reserves that might be used to reduce the impact or even the need for local referendum and tax increase. Reserves that might be used to support a new, experimental initiative. We are spending some of our savings to reduce major impact on classrooms.

The following specialized programs have been wiped out of the state budget. The dollar amount represents the dollars no longer available annually for spending on the students of Lake Forest.

Reading and Math Specialists $289,837
Limited English Proficiency Grant $26,665
Technology Block Grant $45,425
School Climate $160,000
Tax Relief Allocation $412,230
Academic Excellence Grant $106,995
Extra Time Programs $312,703
Teacher Tuition Reimbursement $33,890
Teacher Cadre & Mentoring $19,600

Other parts of the state support formula have been significantly reduced.

Delaware public schools rely on significant support from the state. That is why in 2009-2010 state support for public schools represented 33.33 percent of the state budget. But this year, state spending for public schools represents just 31.63%.

Lake Forest students now get $400 less per pupil in annual state support than they did in 2008.

We hope that will be restored.

Public Budget Workshop

When: October 18, 5 – 7 pm

Where: Lake Forest Central Business Office
(next to Lake Forest High School)

What: An overview of the district’s budget development
An overview of the district’s revenues
An overview of the district’s expenditures
Input from the district’s major stakeholders (parents, students, educators and residents of the district)

Why: To make information available to the public
To provide transparency to the public
To obtain input from the public in the budget decision process

Refreshments will be served.

Everyone is welcome. If you have questions, contact business manager Christine daCosta 284-3020 ext. 105 or ccdacosta@lf.k12.de.us .

I Love Lake Forest Day

I’m sure you noticed that your calendar says I Love Lake Forest Day will be here this Saturday, October 8 at Lake Forest High School. Plans are coming together nicely for a wonderful day of fun.

You will see first- hand how your tax dollars have been spent on remodeling and additions at the school.

There will be student entertainment throughout the day in the auditorium.

The latest student produced "I Love Lake Forest" videos will be revealed at 1pm in the cafeteria and the winners will be announced.

There will be exhibitors of all kinds both inside and out.

There will be an art show, face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, moon bounce, dunking booth (with yours truly scheduled to be dunked), ice hockey and tumbling demonstrations and much more.

And there will be food for sale – such as fried chicken dinners, corn dogs, funnel cakes, kettle corn and Italian Ice.

There is no charge and plenty of parking. So, bring the whole family and make a day of it. That’s this Saturday, October 8 from 10 to 2 at Lake Forest High School.Help us celebrate the community we know as Lake Forest.

Isn’t it great to be a Spartan