On Wednesday and Thursday, October 3rd and 4th, Superintendent John Schultz set up tours of all the Hopkins District Schools for the candidates for School Board.
This was a great chance to meet district administrators who oversee the six elementary schools, two junior high schools, and Hopkins High School, as well as those involved with the Chinese Immersion Program, Harley Hopkins Center and new bus depot in Golden Valley. We also did a drive-by of the now-closed Katherine Current Elementary School.
Driving around with fellow board candidates and meeting staff at all these sites made a large impression.
First of all, without exception, I was impressed with the dedication, experience, attitudes, and knowledge of everyone we met.
Having worked with dozens and dozens of school administrators over the past fifteen years, I have some background to judge others. New operating procedures, renovations, and attention to improving quality were evident in our tours and conversations: thanks to Superintendent John Schultz and his team for taking time out to show us around.
Second, and probably just as important, I can testify that the facilities of the Hopkins School District are in good condition reflect the substantial support and investment of our community over the years.
The building referendum passed several years ago put tens of millions of dollars into upgrading the infrastructure of our schools, technology, energy management, and adding learning spaces. In some cases, I would have forgone these improvements (sprinkler systems instead of drought and traffic resistant turf, fully computerized board room and parking lot upgrades).
Hopkins is probably ahead of the curve on reducing energy costs and addressing major topics that affect the learning environment: increasing daylight and fresh air within classrooms. Not many schools have learned these lessons, or had the resources to put them into practice. Hopkins has and will see the benefits of this investment in the years ahead.
Thirdly, we witnessed firsthand the impact of budget decisions adopted by the current board.
I do
not view these immediate and harmful reductions of the past year as prudent. The responsible course to reverse the Board's poor budget decisions of the previous
five-years is not to increase class sizes, close a valued elementary school, and reduce the hours of educational aides in the classrooms.
The facts are between 2001 and 2005, the Board approved spending that reduced a strong operating reserve to the point of being a deficit so large that ran afoul of public law. Minnesota State Statute permits a school district three years to change course, the current Board chose to compress those cuts into twelve months.
Here are the consequences we witnessed:
-Grades that had up to 89 students at the start of school were limited to three teachers (sections), meaning class sizes were up to 27 or even 29 students instead of a more realistic 22 to 24 students with four teachers (sections). In two cases after the cutoff decision date enrollment changed but, as presented to me, there was NO flexibility to add teachers (at a cost of $70,000 each, including benefits) or to accommodate additional students (at a bonus of $10,000 in state revenue).
This is shortsighted and shortchanges our students and staff.-Teacher Aides who once worked four hours per day in a classroom have been limited to one hour in a classroom at the elementary level.
Again, this kind of cut that directly affects classroom learning and hits teachers and students the hardest must be avoided at all costs.The areas where we witnessed cuts were NOT the reason for Hopkins Schools sliding into debt. It is regrettable that they bear the brunt of the Board's mis-management.
