Saturday, October 26, 2013

IPads for all 6th, 7th graders, more highly paid administrators on Joplin Race to the Top request

IPads for all sixth and seventh graders; an extra hour's work every day for classroom teachers, and more $50,000+ administrators are on the nearly $10 million wish list Joplin R-8 Administration compiled for its Race to the Top application.

The administrators indicate that they will seek a tax levy increase to continue to pay the teachers for the extra non-contract work time, which would be used for mentoring and meetings, after the Race to the Top grant period expires.

The money that would be needed to continue paying the 21st Century learning coaches and career path coordinators administrators are seeking would be absorbed into the district's budget when the federal money is spent, according to the application.




That would appear to be an accurate statement since the coaches and coordinators have already been added this year, despite the rejection of last year's Race to the Top request.

The portion of the Race to the Top request regarding the budget is printed in its entirety below, with no editing.

F. Budget and Sustainability
(F)(1&2) Budget for the project  (Including Identification of One-time and Reoccurring Expenditures and Sustainability)

Joplin Schools Race to the Top – District Application for Funding (CFDA 84.416)

Budget Justification
Project 1: Infrastructure Development (Including Project Management)

BUDGET NARRATIVE: 4 Years

PERSONNEL
1: Project Manager
Total Grant Request
Project Manager salary (1 FTE/yr for 4 yrs)
    271,937
Project Manager benefits
       40,760
Total
     312,697
Use of funds and necessity to project:
The Project Manager will direct, coordinate and manage the project being proposed in this grant application. This “Manager” will have at a minimum a Master’s in education and commensurate experience. Administrative or curriculum/instruction background will be desired. The Project Manager will be responsible for the direct supervision and support, in collaboration with building principals and the Assistant Superintendent, of the project staff as well as the implementation, continuous improvement monitoring, staff development, fiscal management, oversight, timelines and daily operation as well as the planning and coordination of trainings and collection of formative and summative program evaluation data. Program manager will assure ongoing collaborative relationships with businesses, community agencies, the city, chamber and local entities as it relates to the development of the career pathways.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
Base pay: The base salary for the Project Manager will be based on qualifications (experience and education) and will be comparable with the director/coordinator position salaries. The position will be in place for the full term of the grant. It is expected that this amount will be approximately $65,000/year (with an anticipated annual increase of 3%/year). This salary will be for a 220 day contract.

Benefits/fringe: Fringe Benefits include the district’s contribution to health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and district contribution to retirement. This is approximately 15% of the salary of a certified person.

Sustainability:
The funds are being requested for the 4 years of the project, but are not considered perpetually reoccurring. It is assumed that this role is one of start-up and implementation and that the roles and responsibilities can be integrated into the administrative structure. It will be the responsibility of the central office leadership team to ensure this integration. Once the reforms outlined in the proposal are the “way of doing business” then additional managerial resources will not be needed.



Project 2: Highly Qualified Staff Development – Provided by 21st Century Learning Coaches and Career Pathways Coordinators
2. A. 21st Century Learning Coaches
Total Grant Request
21st Century Learning Coaches Salaries (7 FTE total - 4 High School and 3 Middle School)
1,903,538
21st Century Learning Coaches Benefits
  285,321
Total
2,188,858
Use of funds and necessity to project:
The 7 personnel will provide job embedded staff development to all secondary teachers and other educators in order to support the development of their ability to provide personalized learning experiences designed to ensure that all leave high school career and college ready. This will include the development of the career pathways and the implementation of impactful use of data to monitor student progress and the use of technology as an effective and efficient teaching tool. It will be their role to build the capacity of educators, parents and the community to implement this new paradigm.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
Base pay:
They will be paid per the salary schedule, which considers experience and education. The contracts will be 200 days. Each position will have a fringe cost of about 15%. There will be an anticipated annual increase of 3%/year.

Benefits/fringe: Fringe Benefits include the district’s contribution to health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and district contribution to retirement. This is approximately 15% of the salary of a certified person.

Sustainability:
The funds are being requested for the 4 years of the project. It is assumed that the coaches will build proficiency and capacity in teachers and administrators and will integrate the curriculum and technology into the system, thereby reducing the need for their support. After the grant period the Instructional Coaches will ensure ongoing support as the project transforms the educational environment. It will be the responsibility of the central office leadership team to ensure this integration. Once the reforms outlined in the proposal are the “way of doing business” then additional resources will not be needed.

2. B. 21st Career Pathways Coordinators
Total Grant Request
21st Career Pathways Coordinators Salaries (5 FTE ) for 4 years
1,359,685
21st Century Career Pathways Coordinators Benefits
  209,800
Total
1,569,485
Use of funds and necessity to project:
The 5 personnel will develop the career pathways, including curriculum, course of study and competency scope and sequence. This will include the development of internships, work experience and other applied and “real world experiences” at the high school and middle school level. They will work as a member of the team with educators to insure seamless integration of the career pathways and core academic curricula. It will be their role to build the capacity of educators, parents and the community to implement this new paradigm.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
Base pay:
They will be paid per the salary schedule, which considers experience and education. The contracts will be 200 days. Each position will have a fringe cost of about 15%. There will be an anticipated annual increase of 3%/year.

Benefits/fringe: Fringe Benefits include the district’s contribution to health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and district contribution to retirement. This is approximately 15% of the salary of a certified person.

Sustainability:
The funds for 5 FTE are being requested for the first 2 years of the project. It is assumed that the curriculum and model development will be completed at the end of that time period. It is anticipated that the coaching function will be assumed by business and/or other community partnerships at the end of the 2 years and then completely by the completion of the grant period.

2.C. Academic Advisement Time
Total Grant Request
Out-of Contract time stipends for all secondary teachers: 1 hr./day ($26/day) for 170 days for 200 teacher x 4 yrs.
884,000/yr
Total
3,536,000
Use of funds and necessity to project:
All teachers who participate (it will be expected that all teachers will) will be assigned student advisees. They will work with these students as much as possible, but at least 3 hr/week. The other two hrs/week will be teacher collaborative time. Teachers will log time and be paid from these logs. Teachers will be expected to monitor the progress of students and to collaboratively plan with other teachers, parents and students for “next steps” (need for reteaching, specialized instruction and/or supports, enrichment). They will be responsible for monitoring data and as necessary leading problem-solving teams. Collaborative time will be used to monitor the implementation of the model and to ensure continuous progress toward full implementation.

Sufficiency and reasonableness:
The hourly cost is based on current out-of-contract rate. The teachers who work with the students every day are the most logical to act as academic advisors (rapport has already been established and they understand the parameters of the learning environment. Because teachers are implementing so much simultaneously they need the extended time to be able to take on this extra duty.

Sustainability:
We anticipate that this will be an ongoing expense, though it might be possible to reduce it somewhat. It is anticipated that the district would have to seek a levy at the end of the grant period.

2.D. Contracted Services for 21st Century coaches, staff and other educators on developing and implementing facets of the proposed model (in district training provided by an outside trainer e.g. Persons from the ICLE)
Total Grant Request
20 days/$3,000/day x 4 yrs (provided by out-of-district consultant)
240,000
Total
240,000
Use of funds and necessity to project:
We will need to bring expertise into the district as we implement the model. Providing training in district maximized both the efficiency and effectiveness. We will use a train-the-trainer model, thus will be able to expand the impact.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
Base pay: All federal, state and district regulations and policies will be followed as training is procured. Training costs will be as minimal as possible.

Benefits/fringe: Fringe Benefits include the district’s contribution to health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and district contribution to retirement. This is approximately 15% of the salary of a certified person.

Sustainability:
The need for professional development, while ongoing is determined annually, based on district needs and resources. While we know there will always be a need for outside training, the most expert our own people become, the more these costs are minimalized.



Project 3: Development of a 21st Century Data Management System
3.A. Data Manager

Salary 1 FTE/yr for 4 years
271,937
Benefits
  40,760
Total
312,697



Use of funds and necessity to project:
The Data Manager will performs specialized technical, administrative, and supervisory
work in the development of a data management system that significantly expands the capacity of the district to use data to make educational decisions and to manage complex instructional tasks (e.g. scheduling, resource allocation). It also includes the support, operation and coordination of the computerized student information management systems for the school district. Work involves providing coordination between current data needs and those of the future.


Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
Base pay: The base salary for the Data Manager will be based on qualifications (experience and education) and will be comparable with the director/coordinator position salaries. The position will be in place for the full term of the grant. It is expected that this amount will be approximately $65,000/year (with an anticipated annual increase of 3%/year). This salary will be for a 220 day contract.

Benefits/fringe: Fringe Benefits include the district’s contribution to health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and district contribution to retirement. This is approximately 15% of the salary of a certified person.

Sustainability:
The funds are being requested for the 4 years of the project, but are not considered perpetually reoccurring. It is assumed that this role is one of start-up and implementation and that the roles and responsibilities can be integrated into the administrative structure. It will be the responsibility of the central office leadership team to ensure this integration. Once the reforms outlined in the proposal are the “way of doing business” then additional managerial resources will not be needed.


3.B. Development of Current Data Management System and/or Purchase of a New System

Purchased service for the development of data management system that will meet district needs or purchase of a new system. We are allocating $100,000/year for 4 years,
    425,000
Total
     425,000

Use of funds and necessity to project:
Our current student information management system will not meet our 21st Century needs. Because we have already invested in the system we hope to be able to work with the company to retrofit the current system. We know, however, that we do not want systems that are not interoperable and will therefore seek out the system that will meet our needs as soon as possible, while still meeting our cost objectives.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
We are budgeting$100,000 per year for the 4 years.

Sustainability:
Start-up and implementation are the primary cost factors. After that costs will be minimal.


Project 4: Technology to Enhance the Learning of 21st Century Skills
4.A Purchase of IPads for 1to1 Initiative at the Middle School

1to1 devises for all students at the Middle School
2,000 IPads @ $500/devise
    1,000,000
Total
     1,000,000


Use of funds and necessity to project:
This will be a one-time purchase (in year 1) that will allow use to extend the 1-to-1 Initiative down to all middle school students.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
2,000 IPads @ $450/devise

Sustainability:
This will be a one-time purchase. Cost of maintenance and other ongoing expenses will be absorbed by the tech department as they transition from the “computer lab” format.


4.B Additional Tech Support

Salary: Additional Tech Support 3 techs at $30,000/yr

360,000
Benefits
54,000
Total Mileage
414,000

Use of funds and necessity to project:
As the amount and complexity of technology has increased, the need for tech support is also increasing. In order to meet the added demands of this project additional tech support is required.

Proposed cost includes fringe benefits (sufficiency and reasonableness):
They will be paid per the salary schedule, which considers experience and education. The contracts will be 200 days. Each position will have a fringe cost of about 15%. There will be an anticipated annual increase of 3%/year.

Benefits/fringe: Fringe Benefits include the district’s contribution to health insurance, life insurance, FICA, and district contribution to retirement. This is approximately 15% of the salary of a certified person.

Sustainability:
We anticipate that this will be an ongoing expense, though it might be possible to reduce it somewhat. Students will be trained (We already have a group of students who provide tech support – the Eagle Squad. Expansion of this program addresses both this need and will fit into our Career Pathways program). It is anticipated that the district would have to seek a levy at the end of the grant period.


TOTAL GRANT REQUEST
9,998.737


 (More information from the Race to the Top request, including the lengths the Joplin R-8 School District is going to in its efforts to implement Common Core Standards (which is a necessity for any school district hoping to get RTTP funding) and a recounting of how the district found a "silver lining" in a funnel cloud, and how administrators helped keep Joplin together following the May 22, 2011, tornado, will be featured in an upcoming post.)

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:06 PM

    Oh gag. Definitely not staying for more of this. Taking my child and leaving for someplace normal.

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  2. Anonymous7:14 PM

    They got career people last year. Added another from what I hear for this year. Have 21st century coaches already. So why are they soaking us for more tax money? What are they using now--and why do they need to change? I'm tired of throwing money in that bottomless pit. It'll be a big NO on any more money for R 8!!

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  3. Anonymous7:15 PM

    Still mining that tornado for silver. Heartless and greedy bunch. Please make them go away.

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  4. Anonymous7:25 PM

    Joplin Schools is a money pit and disgusts me! I am DONE with there shenanigans, we must FIRE Angie Besendorfer AND Dr. Douchebag Huff

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  5. Anonymous7:35 PM

    And, I want a 6 bedroom mansion with a swimming pool, a cook, a maid, a driver, a facelift, a personal trainer, a gardner, a lake cottage, etc. .... And, anything else that will help lme live the good life for the 21st Century

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  6. Anonymous7:38 PM

    We must get a new BOE, elect a person of character, who has a love for education & someone with no agenda.. Most importantly not a slave to CJ Huff, because currently they all are!

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  7. Anonymous7:43 PM

    They will stop when enough of you join the rest of us parents who have been fighting and say enough already. As long as It's just a few of us they have no reason to think they should change. Remember that when you vote this April. Time to change the way things go in this town.

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  8. Anonymous7:49 PM

    R8 can color me gone.

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  9. Anonymous7:54 PM

    What the hell is this? Let's see. 62 million in the bond issue. Tens of millions in insurance. Who knows how many millions in donations, because lord knows bright futures got it all and CJ sure won't tell what they got, and these jerks still want more? Hell no. Learn to live within your means like the rest of us. Or go someplace richer. Either way works.

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  10. Anonymous8:00 PM

    Time to get out those pitchforks I guess.

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  11. Anonymous8:09 PM

    I can hardly stand it til the end of the day in that madhouse as it is. There's no way I'm staying another hour every day when I could be with my own family. Screw that. And R8. No wonder they hid this from the teachers.

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  12. Anonymous8:17 PM

    Deception is what R8 does best.

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  13. Anonymous8:18 PM

    Is Palace Huff for sale?

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  14. Anonymous8:21 PM

    It's too bad there's no money for a spelling coach to help whoever wrote this learn how to spell "device." Educational dollars thrown in all the wrong directions...

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  15. Anonymous8:35 PM

    They need to hire an editor. The whole thing is full of errors. You have to expect that from people who don't believe in teaching anything but soft skills. Old school stuff won't get you noticed anywhere.

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  16. Anonymous8:41 PM

    Why is this being hidden from the teachers! I just dont understand...soon the Admin building will be full of "administrators" & the classrooms will be empty of teachers...school board members wake up, you are their bosses ..they are not your bosses...they work for you..yes, there are people who should not be teachers or EVER around children as we have discovered , or are so frozen in just what they should be doing by constant threat of being "written up" due to some arrogant principals...but, how many potential good teachers have left because they have been frightened away ...

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:48 PM

      The current crop of administrators disdains teachers. Hence the teachers have left by the hundreds and will continue to do so. That the Board allows the bankrupting of the district, the fleecing of taxpayers, and the abuse of teachers tells us that they have given Huff and Besendorfer their stamp of approval, probably with a 7-0 vote.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous8:44 PM

    So, spellcheck doesn't always work! :-0

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  18. Anonymous8:58 PM

    I guess 21st Century learning just isn't the answer to everything. Gosh, however do those of us who grew up learning to do things right get through our day?

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  19. Anonymous9:06 PM

    Now, you all don't be mean. CJ wasn't born to a family with silver spoons in their mouths. They had pitchforks in their closets. He cain't be expected to be none too bright with that kind of upbringing.

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  20. Which is it $500 or $450 per devise (sp)?

    $30,000/ yr per new tech? The work they will be doing keeping kids safe and making sure the IPads are secure and operational is more important " in the trenches" work than the newly added admin ...

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  21. Anonymous6:05 AM

    If I heard right we have been cutting corners on the construction projects because the district is out of cash. I'd like to know how that could be. And now they want more tax dollars to throw away on crap no student ever needed. They should be audited and fired.

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  22. Anonymous6:14 AM

    8:00--
    I found my pitchfork, but I burned up my torch wandering around the administration building searching for an honest soul. Had no better luck at city hall. These are sad times.

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  23. Anonymous8:08 AM

    It's amazing how much they are willing to invest in everything but teachers. There are way too many people who never go near a student making a whole lot more than teachers. But teachers carry the pressure of test scores. I don't see where their previous decisions have paid off in learning, which is what I send my children to school to do. It all looks like a tremendous waste of tax dollars and time to me.

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  24. Anonymous9:21 AM

    Cutting corners on the construction!! We were told that we could hope to get some money restored. So they've burned through the insurance, the bond money, and the donations. Good grief. And the reserves are at an all time low. Perfect. Great managent. And for what? For German furniture, trips, and crap like they have listed here. I'm an angry voter.

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  25. Anonymous9:25 AM

    Will they be able to finish that building? I read in the paper that the Board tabled discussion on finishes for the high school. It was a matter of saving around 450 grand. Considering that the district is about broke, I'd say they better take any savings they can find. We need an audit to see what was spent where and how much is left. This is what greed and a lack of accountability gets you.

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  26. Anonymous2:05 PM

    I know a couple of things that kids need for 21st-century-learning: Buildings. Teachers.

    But how to afford these futuristic devices?!?

    A batch of moderately-used ipads should bring in the necessary funds.

    Dispensing with more than a few unnecessary learning coaches should put some change in the coffers.

    A superintendent pay cut putting Huff on par with the superintendent of Springfield (who is paid less for running a larger district) might create a few kopins.

    Alternately, you could short-change construction and fire teachers in order to pay for ego-projects, ipads and administration, marginally-work-oriented trips to Germany, retreats, tours, friends with for-hire motivational speaking engagements. King Huff and Queen Besendorfer have raided the treasury and need more moolah.

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  27. Anonymous5:46 PM

    I can't believe that they really submitted this shoddy piece of work for consideration. But even if they did it won't get anywhere because it has the same problems the last one had. No teacher buy-in, no financial transparency (which they cannot do, of course), and no data to prove all this success they claim to have had. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, even with all their modern technology. It's a wash.

    ReplyDelete