Just back from the public comment and work session. Initial impressions are there is not as much controversy as anticipated judging by the public participation. Public comment did go overtime but not in overwhelming numbers. Comments were typically from parents who wanted more freedom to spend their allotments on Fine Arts and PE and to use sectarian materials. But there were some exceptions:

• Glenn Biegel in his statement pointed out that 41 districts have no in-district program. My comment is most of them did at one time but the statewide schools have caused them to close. In effect, statewide schools have reduced choices.
• Narda Butler, chairman of Frontier’s APC and my co-blogger, discussed how local control works for Frontier and that state oversight is necessary for statewide schools. She also pointed out that the statewide correspondence schools (SWC) operate to fund their local districts and are motivated to maximize enrollment not services.

The real news of the work session came from Eddie Jeans, Director of Finance. He detailed revenues and expenditures for SWC schools. When schools were first opened each student was funded at $3152 and today the amount is $4340, a 38% increase. Yet, the student allotments have changed very little. OK, we knew that but the big “We told you so” moment came with his chart that showed that last year Galena’s IDEA program generated a whopping $4,359,477 to the Galena City Schools. I added a column to Mr. Jeans’ chart to calculate ‘profit’ margin. Galena has it figured out. They generate 31%. Wow! That’s Warren Buffet territory.

I make jokes. But now that this is out in the open it will attract the attention of the legislature which is endlessly harassed to spend less or spend in other places. That $4.3 million is money that did not go to the program and the students in it. So, the debate will be whether the correspondence schools have too much money. Alyeska Central School operated at 65% funding. How can the protests to these restricting regulations be considered seriously when IDEA operates as a cash cow to the Galena City Schools? Clearly, Galena is motivated to maximize FTE’s not deliver services.

Les Morse, Director of Assessment, Accountability, and Information Management, presented details on enrollment and assessment. It turns out homeschoolers are not from Lake Wobegon and our children are not all above average. Performance by the SWC schools in the Standards Based Assessments is on a par with the students in in-district schools.

So, that’s where the issue stands right now. Nothing much will happen from the State Board until they select a new commissioner. The legislature is currently preoccupied with the oil taxation special session and convenes in regular session in January. There will be much discussion in the coming months. Stay tuned.

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