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Post by macrockett on Oct 6, 2011 22:10:51 GMT -6
Enrollment continues to fall. Especially at the entering elementary level. For the past two years we are showing a HS need of 8000 seats max. Lets see, 3000 + 3000 + 1200 +1200 + 600 = 9000 Current HS enrollment as of 9/30? 9092. Add insult to injury? $3.5m+ for annual administration cost of Metea. This is just about on the level of Solyndra... If we had added on to NVHS to accommodate our additional needs during the bubble we would have saved about $80 million plus that annual cost of $3.5 million noted above. In addition, not a single student would have needed to change schools. Just think, we could be using that $3.5 million on an annual basis to replace approximately 50 computers in each school at the cost of $1000 per computer (which is reasonable since you can get i3 desktops or laptops for about $700 right now and based on bulk purchase, even less). In addition, you would have about $1.9 million left for the network and other IT needs. District 204 should be run like a business. The goal of that business is directing $$ to be used effectively and efficiently to educate out children. Building the third HS satisfied neither of those objectives. Neither bricks and mortar nor the cost of overhead in administrative personnel directly impacts our children's learning in a material way. Current Year: winsome.cnchost.com/MAC/2011_12ENROLLMENTREPORT093011.pdfAnd a walk down memory lane: winsome.cnchost.com/MAC/)_2010_11_ENROLLMENT_REPORT_022811.pdfwinsome.cnchost.com/MAC/2009_10_ENROLLMENT_REPORT_093009.pdfwinsome.cnchost.com/MAC/2008_09ENROLLMENTREPORT022609.pdfwinsome.cnchost.com/MAC/2007-08_ENROLLMENT_REPORT[1].pdf
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Post by rew on Oct 7, 2011 8:10:38 GMT -6
Thanks for the info. Looks like some building utilization review is in order.
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Post by lurker on Oct 7, 2011 22:07:02 GMT -6
District 204 should be run like a business. The goal of that business is directing $$ to be used effectively and efficiently to educate out children. I learned in MBA school that the goal of a business is to increase shareholder value. D204 should not be run like a business (i.e. turn a profit any way possible, even at the expense of our kids). It's a school system, not a business; these two entities are not the same thing, they have widely different strategic objectives. D204 needs to be run like an efficient school system, not a for-profit enterprise. Your point that it is not being run efficiently and is squandering capital due to mismanagement is spot on, but let's not run down the path that private enterprise is the solution for all of mankind's ills. There are plenty of mismanaged, private, for-profit enterprises in this country. Back to lurking...
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Post by macrockett on Oct 8, 2011 20:15:04 GMT -6
District 204 should be run like a business. The goal of that business is directing $$ to be used effectively and efficiently to educate out children. I learned in MBA school that the goal of a business is to increase shareholder value. D204 should not be run like a business (i.e. turn a profit any way possible, even at the expense of our kids). It's a school system, not a business; these two entities are not the same thing, they have widely different strategic objectives. D204 needs to be run like an efficient school system, not a for-profit enterprise. Your point that it is not being run efficiently and is squandering capital due to mismanagement is spot on, but let's not run down the path that private enterprise is the solution for all of mankind's ills. There are plenty of mismanaged, private, for-profit enterprises in this country. Back to lurking... Lurker, I learned in practicing as a CPA some businesses have no shareholders. I learned as a lawyer that some shareholders have little or no rights. Go figure. Stop drinking the kool-aid and open your mind. Are philanthropic organizations (businesses?) run like a train wreck? Don't they have to function effectively and efficiently? In addition, there are many aspects to the word "business." Is it inappropriate, in beginning a philanthropic endeavor, to say "ok guys, lets get down to business"? Is the only thought that comes to mind when you mention the word "business" that of making a profit? Profit is only the end result of running a business effectively and efficiently. In my opinion, if you don't run a School District effectively and efficiently (like a business should be) you will not end up with the result you hope to achieve, a well educated student body (or a profit, if you like).
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Post by doctorwho on Oct 9, 2011 7:26:32 GMT -6
District 204 should be run like a business. The goal of that business is directing $$ to be used effectively and efficiently to educate out children. I learned in MBA school that the goal of a business is to increase shareholder value. D204 should not be run like a business (i.e. turn a profit any way possible, even at the expense of our kids). It's a school system, not a business; these two entities are not the same thing, they have widely different strategic objectives. D204 needs to be run like an efficient school system, not a for-profit enterprise. Your point that it is not being run efficiently and is squandering capital due to mismanagement is spot on, but let's not run down the path that private enterprise is the solution for all of mankind's ills. There are plenty of mismanaged, private, for-profit enterprises in this country. Back to lurking... I also learned in MBA school thast you maximize your resources to reach ascribed to goals -- we do not do that here. The $3.5 M wasted every year on extra transportation could be used to further that education increase. Maybe ensuring kids know grammar- or how to study properly... Whizzing away a $17M surplus in these economic times to 'fix' a problem- you knew was grossly overstated before you spent a dime should be a crime. I also learned from 25 years ofmanagement you do not mimic 'bad business' practices as you mention- but you DO learn from them. No one is suggesting they run the district like a bad business model- but like a good one - yes. Unfortunately the MBA background you mention- which again is not a be all end all- but nice to have when making decisions of this magnitude- is held by how many of our board members ? Before you leave that first finger on your hand- also happens to be the biggest spender.
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