Chromebook initiatives

Article on the DCUSD Chromebook initiative


http://www.journalstandard.com/article/20150202/NEWS/150209865

Sales tax interview

Below is a link of interview with Mr. Schiffman and Channel 13 news regarding the 1% sales tax.

http://www.wrex.com/category/133164/video-landing-page?clipId=9931388&topVideoCatNo=123713&autoStart=true

1% sales tax

Dakota will hold an informative meeting on the 1% sales tax on March 11th at 6:00pm in the Elementary Media Center. Below is a youtube video showing more information on what a County Sales tax can do for the school districts in Stephenson county.

http://youtu.be/BLN9yacb4dE

Radio interview for Sales Tax

There is an informative on 1570am Talk of the Town radio program at 12:30 today regarding the 1% Stephenson County Sales Tax. Superintendents Mike Schiffman (Dakota), Ton Chiles (Lena) and Patrick McDermott (Freeport) discussed the sales tax.

Stephenson County Sales Tax

Go to the link below to find out more about the Stephenson County Sales tax. 

http://www.dakota201.com/documents/Newsletter%202014.pdf

January 30 2014 Community Financial Meeting

The Community Financial Presentation from January 30th 2014 can be found in the link below. There is also information on the one percent Stephenson County Sales Tax in the presentation. More information will be forthcoming on the importance of the sales tax to the Dakota Schools. By voting yes for the 1% County sales tax you could be helping the district receive an additional $400,000/year, while possibly lowering your property taxes. Please read for more information and be watching for more information. To rotate the slides: Right click with your mouse and select rotate clockwise.

http://www.dakota201.com/documents/financialmtg%20jan302014.pdf

Feb. blog

On January 30^th I will hold my annual financial forum at the elementary media center.  At the forum I will discuss the financial status of the district the impacts of reductions and the benefits of a county wide 1% sales tax.  Below I have listed the reductions of the district the past three years and also the ways the reductions have impacted the district.

 Reduction of Expenses since 2010-2011

• Reduction of 7 support staff
• Reduced 1.5 Administrators
• Reduction of 19 certified staff
• $400,000 reduction in supplies/materials
• Reduced one bus route and bus
• Outsourced the Driver’s Education Program
• Contractual Salary Negotiations with DEA
• No Salary increase 2011-2012
• Soft freeze 2012-2013- No increase to base salary
• Reduction in contract salary 2013-2014

Elementary Impact

• Higher class sizes in the lower elementary
• Less Pre-K sections
• Removed the Reading Recovery program
• Less special education classes
• Reduction in Summer School staff
• Less extra academic support
• Teachers spending more of their own money on books and supplies
• Special programs effected
• One PE teacher with aide
• Part time Art teacher with aide
• Share service with Music/Band

Jr./Sr. High Impact

• Moved to traditional schedule
• 20 less electives
• 37 less sections
• Little or no electives in core courses (Science, Math, English, Social Science)
• Reduced Voc. Ed
• Reduced Special Education Teacher
• Less Administration
• Teachers spending more of their own money on books and supplies

District Impact

• Reduction in Transportation personnel and route
• Contractual Salary Negotiations with DEA
• Drop in Library programming due to reduction in faculty
• Future Reductions
• Cut programs, raise class size, reduce extra-curricular activities (sports and organizations)

 

The Dakota School District is no different than other small town school districts in the area.  The district continues to have to reduce our educational offerings, transportation, and other expenses that have an impact on student achievement.  Even though the district continues to currently excel the long range educational impacts are not known.  The District now has to start looking at ways to increase the revenue of the district.  One way to increase this revenue is through the passing of the 1% county wide sales tax.  What sets Dakota apart from other districts is the pride and dedication that the school board, administration, faculty, staff, students, parents and community have for the school district.  With the support of all of these individuals the district still remains one of the elite in Northwestern Illinois.  Below are some ways that the Dakota School District has weathered and beaten the storm to this point.

Dakota Pride

Still Elite in the Northwest

• Excelling in the classrooms
• Adding to Professional Development for the teachers
• Maintaining and increasing test scores
• 2011 and 2012 Academic State recognition in the elementary
• Dakota schools ranked 19^th and 20^th overall among the Rock Valley Schools (115 schools).
• Dakota Elementary ranked 7^th among Rock Valley Elementary schools
• Dakota Jr./Sr. High ranked 8^th among Jr./Sr. High Schools in the Rock River valley. 
• Doing more with less
• Less failing grades at Jr./Sr. High
• College Now program through HCC
• Technology enhancements for tomorrow’s leaders

 

The District has in the past and will continue in the future to provide superior student services.  In order to be successful the district needs to adapt to the students’ needs and ability levels.  The Dakota School District is driven by a high standard of excellence.  The district continues to prepare students to make positive contributions in an ever changing world.  The District’s overall goal is to continue to build positive relationships with parents, families and community members in order to provide a strong support structure.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact any of the offices in the district. 

 

 

Mike Schiffman, Superintendent