Resolution 11-1280RESOLUTION NO. 11-1280
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THE SEMINOLE COUNTY
SCHOOL BOARD TO KEEP LONGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
OPEN AND OPERATIONAL DURING THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR
IN ORDER TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO
SUSPENDING OPERATIONS AND TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH
THE CITY OF LONGWOOD AND THE COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS
CONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ENHANCEMENT OF LONGWOOD
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS,
SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Longwood Elementary is located within the jurisdiction limits of the City of
Longwood; and
WHEREAS, the City has been recently notified that the Superintendent of Seminole
County Public Schools is recommending as a cost saving measure in order to partially address
budget deficits of the School District that the Seminole County School Board suspend operations
of Longwood Elementary effective at the end of this current school year and rezone elementary
schools in such a way as to cause the dispersement of children attending Longwood Elementary
to various other elementary schools outside of the City limits;, and
WHEREAS, Longwood Elementary is an A -rated elementary school, has been
operational in_the Longwood community_ for 50 years and is a vital and important educational,
facility for the Longwood community; and
WHEREAS, the proximity of good quality elementary schools is an important factor
affecting the market value of real property and thereby a factor affecting the assessed value of
real property for ad valorem taxation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the suspension of operations of Longwood Elementary would be detrimental
to the Longwood community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of
Longwood, Florida, as follows:
Section I. The City of Longwood hereby requests and urges the Seminole County
School Board to keep Longwood Elementary School open and operational for at least one
additional school year (during the 2011-2012 school year) and to provide funding for said
continued operations in order to have time to explore alternative solutions to suspending
operations of Longwood Elementary and to build partnerships with the City of Longwood and
the community in order to address the continued operations and enhancement of Longwood
Elementary School. The City of Longwood is wholly committed to assisting in efforts to
continue operations of, and enhance, Longwood Elementary and to develop a partnership with
Seminole County School Board and assist in developing community partnerships and the City
Resolution No. 11-1280
Page 2 of 2
requests that the Seminole County School Board make the same commitment. The City of
Longwood further requests that the Seminole County School Board consider the attached
recommendations, submitted by the Parents and Friends of Longwood Elementary, as a funding
solution to keep Longwood Elementary School open and operational.
Section II. Conflicts. If any resolution or part thereof is in conflict herewith, this
Resolution shall control to the extent of any such conflict.
Section III. Severability. If any portion of this Resolution is finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unconstitutional, unenforceable or void, the balance
of the Resolution shall continue in full force and effect.
Section IV. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 2" DAY OF MAY A.D., 2011.
r , ayor
ATT
Sarah M. Mirus, MVIMNIC, MBA, City Cleric
Approved as to form and legality for the use and reliance of the City of Longwood, Florida, only.
"La"oraaey
C
I. Saving $1 million of reoccurring revenue does not solve the long term
problem of $18-$20 million in long term reoccurring revenue shortfall.
A. Finding $1 million in other cuts now is better for SCPS because it;
1. Allows SCPS to find additional revenue sources (such as a 4 year increase
to the millage rate per section 1011.71(9) Florida statutes)
2. Provides time to evaluate the need for rezoning elementary schools
district wide.
3. Allows for the school closure to be subject to the community input
similar to rezoning and for the board to build community consensus.
4. Provides less litigation risk than a mandated school closure without
community input.
5. Saving $1 million elsewhere will reduce the reoccurring shortfall that
would need to be made up by school closures/reduction in services.
There exist many possible areas where cuts could reduce the budget without closing
Longwood Elementary. In meetings with the school administration, they admit that some of
these cuts would help in meeting the budget shortfall, but they haven't recommended them
(and in most cases they indicated they will not recommend them). The board should have all
the options so that they can choose those items that meet their priorities as a school board.
II. By looking at Seminole County School's budget details we have found
some ways in which the budget could be cut:
A. why not cent one non -teaching position at all schools in the district?
1. At 3 schools we checked we found that there are quite a few employees
in support/staff/administration/ special programs positions
a) Longwood 25 for 30 teachers
h) Midway 34 for 34 teachers
c) Heathrow 35 for 49 teachers
d) Cutting one non -teacher per school (62 total
elementary/middle/high) would save $2,160,000 even ifyou assume that
the person only makes $30,000, including benefits.
B. Why not raise the co -pay for prescriptions by $10 per employee?
1. Prescription costs budgeted for 2010-2011 are expected to be about $10
million (assuming the average cost per prescription is about $60 - the expected
Florida average for 2011) - raising the copay for prescriptions by $10 would
save the district $1,690,000.
C. Why not reduce the number of executive staff by 3? This would save
over $300,000.
1. There are 27 positions titled: Executive Directors, Directors,
Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, Superintendent, Executive manager,
School Principal. These are exclusively on district wide cost centers
2. Since the number of students enrolled has decreased and the total
budget has been cut by 20%, a cut of 10% of senior management is reasonable.
D. Would it not be reasonable to shave .g25% from each individual
school budget for next year?
1. Based on this year's school budgets, this could generate an additional
$400,000.
E. Why not share principals or assistant principals at schools that have
decreased enrollment?
1. V_olusia_County_P_ublic_Schools_is_sharing_3_principals.for_6_elenientary_
schools that are near each other and have experienced reduced enrollment.
F. Why not consolidate bus stops for children attending magnet
schools?
1. Crooms Academy has an enrollment of approx. 600 students, 21 routes
which equals approx. 1-3 children per stop assuming all students travel by bus.
2. Busses could pick up children in groups at their zoned. school.
G. Why not find a way to make our schools more energy efficient?
1. Current budget is for $14 million in electricity costs, yet next year's
budget allows for a savings of only $100,000?
2. Other school districts have mandated that all private electronic
devices/appliances be prohibited from classrooms. Examples of such items are
Mini refrigerators, microwaves, and coffeemakers.
3. Better regulation of room temperatures. During a school day have a/c
set at 75 degrees and heat should not be set above 68 degrees.
H. Why not shift an additional $4100➢000 from Capital Outlay to
Operational Funds?
le Why not use monies from the $26 million reserve fund?
I. Just 4• percent would equal $1,000,G00.
2. This is a `rainy day' fund. It's not just raining, it's pouring.
Best Regards,
Parents and Friends of Longwood Elementary