Glanbia Foods played the role of Santa Claus on December 17th as they surprised each Magic Valley High School student with a block of cheese and $20 bill. To show their appreciation, the Magic Valley High School culinary arts program cooked steak and baked potatoes for Glanbia representatives. The Twin Falls School District would like to express gratitude to Glanbia Foods for their generous donation. This was a wonderful Christmas gift for students at MVHS. 
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District September Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Kathleen Sylva from Morningside Elementary. The Classified employee of the month is Robert Price also from Morningside Elementary. Congratulations! (Pictured first: Associate Superintendent Patti O'Dell, Trustee Crowley, Robert Price, Principal Hoy; Pictured Second: Associate Superintendent Patti O'Dell, Kathleen Sylva, Vice-Chairman Ward, Principal Hoy)
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District August Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Amy Kenyon from Harrison Elementary. The Classified employee of the month is Diane Fullmer also from Harrison Elementary. Thank you for all you do! (Pictured: Diane Fullmer, Amy Kenyon)
First, please know that the Twin Falls School District Board of Trustees is making every effort to do that which is least disruptive to our students and to take care of our employees as best we can during these tough times. Second, we would like to clear up any misunderstandings or misinformation about the changes we are making due to a decline in funding. While we have made every effort to keep patrons and employees informed of the budget situation in newsletters, meetings, etc., it seems there are a few who have received inaccurate information.
Throughout the budget planning process it was our goal to constrict rather than cut programs or personnel. We wanted to preserve academic programs, extra-curricular activities, and jobs. Beginning in January, Superintendent Dobbs offered over 30 presentations to faculty, staff, community groups, parents and students regarding the funding emergency. During, and following, these presentations, the district collected ideas on ways to best respond to the state revenue reductions. Each idea was analyzed and it was determined that no matter what, a salary reduction would need to be a significant part of the plan. The Twin Falls Education Association and the district looked at the options of adopting the state salary schedule or furloughing days. Together they decided that furloughing days was the better avenue to take. The district also made reductions in other areas such as travel, supplies, computer purchases and personnel through attrition. In order to help clear up any remaining confusion, the following are some answers to questions we have received regarding the budget shortfall:
Why did the TFSD decide to go with furlough days rather than moving to the state salary schedule?
Had the district opted to move to the State Salary Schedule, the maximum reduction to teachers’ annual salaries would have been $8,800. With the furlough option, the maximum reduction to teachers’ annual salaries will be $3,723. In addition, we felt that it was unprofessional to ask teachers to work the same number of days for less pay. It is our goal to reinstate the furlough days, where practicable, as sufficient funds are realized by the district to allow for additions.
Is the Twin Falls School District reducing teacher salaries more than other districts across the state?
The salary reductions our teachers are taking this year are equal to or less than the total cuts many teachers have taken in other districts across the state over a two-year period. The reduction to TFSD teachers’ salaries through furlough days may be larger than some districts this year, but this is due to the fact that many districts made cuts to or froze staff salaries last year. Last year, the TFSD did not qualify to declare a financial emergency and was required to give raises in experience and education as per Idaho Law.
Is the Twin Falls School District making reductions because of costs associated with CRHS?
No. Due to the state budget shortfall, the TFSD will be operating with nearly $3.3 million less for the 2010-11 school year. This $3.3 million cut must come from the general fund. No money out of the general fund has been spent to pay for building costs associated with CRHS.
Are the salary reductions due to having to staff CRHS?
No. The State Department of Education funds the Twin Falls School District for the exact number of teachers we currently employ.
What is an Emergency Levy and was it considered when making reductions?
An Emergency Levy is a levy allowed by state law based on student growth. It requires only board approval. The Twin Falls School District has qualified for and received an Emergency Levy four of the last five years. It is anticipated that the district will qualify for the levy again this coming school year and the anticipated amount has been figured into the budget.
What is a “Carryover” and why is it important?
The carryover is general fund money that is not committed at the end of a budget year. It is important to sustain a carryover because it acts as a savings account and allows the district to have cash flow. It keeps the district from having to borrow money throughout the year and pay that money back including interest. At the beginning of the 2008-09 school year our carryover was $3.2 million or approximately one month’s worth of operating costs. At the end of the 2010-11 school year, the carryover is anticipated to drop to $1.6 million or approximately two weeks operating costs.
Why aren’t administrators’ salaries being reduced as much as the teachers’?
Administrators are furloughing the same number of days as teachers. Like teachers, their daily rates will stay intact. The resulting percentage cut from the annual salary for teachers is higher because it is based on employees’ daily rates and teachers work fewer days than administrators. It is important to remember as times improve and the district is able to add days back to the calendar, teachers will receive a greater percentage increase to their salary than the administrators will receive. We felt it was important to maintain employees’ daily rates as reducing daily rates would significantly impact employees’ retirement funds. We also opted to reduce some administrator positions through attrition thereby reducing the total amount spent by the district on administration by nearly ten percent.
Did the district consider a Supplemental Levy?
The district looked at the possibility of asking the community to support a Supplemental Levy for the 2010-11 school year, but a number of community and staff members indicated that because many patrons have lost their jobs or endured their own salary reductions, the district should not place the additional tax burden on the community without a comprehensive examination. However, a committee consisting of school administrators, board representatives, educators and members of the public will meet to review and analyze whether a supplemental levy will be proposed for election for patrons of the Twin Falls School District # 411 for the 2011-12 school year.
Why did the district hold a meeting on Memorial Day?
Since we opted to participate in the statewide financial emergency, we were held to a very tight timeline. The district wanted to allow for as much time as possible for an agreement to be made through the negotiations process. Memorial Day was the last possible day to hold the meeting without disrupting the tight timeline. This meeting was not mandatory for teachers. Further, if teachers were unable to attend, they had the option of submitting their input via letter for up to three days following the meeting.
We know that these are challenging times for many in our community and want to assure you we will continue to offer a quality education for our students. We invite you to call the Twin Falls School District office at 733-6900 if you have further questions or concerns on any of these issues.
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District May Employees of the Month! Certified employees of the month are Donell McNeal from CRHS and Dan Creek from TFHS. The Classified employees of the month are Carol Warner from CRHS and Julie Petersen from TFHS. We really appreciate these employees and all the hard work that goes into their jobs. (Pictured First: Superintendent Dobbs, Donell McNeal, Vice-Chair Ward; Pictured Second: Superintendent Dobbs, Dan Creek, Trustee King; Pictured Third: Superintendent Dobbs, Carol Warner, Trustee Crowley; Pictured last: Chariman Matsuoka, Trustee Young, Julie Petersen, Superintendent Dobbs)What Is the ACT Exam?
The ACT, or American College Testing, is a standardized collegiate examination, similar to the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). In use since 1959, it is commonly used as an indicator of academic aptitude and readiness to enter college. Although the ACT is not as well-known as the SAT, it is almost as widespread; as of 2008, nearly all four-year colleges and universities in the United States accept the ACT, although every school factors the results into admission decisions differently.
Like the SAT, the ACT is given only at set time periods during the year, generally four to six times per year, depending on the state where the testing takes place. Testing must be scheduled in advance, and is only available on certain Saturdays. However, students with religious prohibitions against Saturday events can apply to take the examination on Sunday. Accommodations can also be made for students with disabilities. The amount of time allotted for the standard exam is roughly 3.5 hours, which generally includes two 15-minute breaks. Students that take the ACT Plus Writing exam, which includes the essay writing portion, are allotted just over four hours for testing. Students who take the ACT can send their score reports to up to four different colleges or universities.
NEXT TEST DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH
WHERE: CANYON RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
REGISTRATION: REGISTER ONLINE BY MAY 7TH AT www.actstudent.org or visit your school counselor for more information
COST: = $32.00 for the ACT (No Writing)
= $47.00 for the ACT Plus Writing
*FEE WAIVERS AVAILABLE*
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District April Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Nichole Hall. The Classified employee of the month is Sean Ludlow. Both employees work at O'Leary Middle School. The Twin Falls School District is proud to have such hard working and dedicated employees. (Pictured First: Trustee Ward, Sean Ludlow, Chairman Matsuoka, Superintendent Dobbs; Pictured Second: Superintendent Dobbs, Nichole Hall, Trustee King, Trustee Crowley )
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District March Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Chris Harper. The classified employee of the month is Toni McBride. Both employees work at Robert Stuart Middle School. The Twin Falls School District is proud to have such hard working and dedicated employees. (Pictured First: Superintendent Dobbs, Toni McBride, Trustee King, Chairman of the Board Matsuoka; Pictured Second: Trustee Young, Chris Harper, Casey Harper, Superintendent Dobbs)
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District February Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Shari Cowger, vice-principal at Oregon Trail Elementary School. The classified employee of the month is Shawna Cutler, title I paraeducator at Oregon Trail Elementary School. The Twin Falls School District is proud to have these two individuals on their team. (Pictured First: Trustee Young, Trustee King, Shawna Cutler, Superintendent Dobbs; Pictured Second: Shari Cowger)
Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District January Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Faye Brunkow. Classified Employee of the month is Ronald Church. Both employees work at Perrine Elementary School. The Twin Falls School District is proud to have such hard working and dedicated employees. (Pictured First: Superintendent Dobbs, Ronald Church, Chairman Matsuoka, Trustee King; Pictured Second: Trustee Crowley, Faye Brunkow, Superintendent Dobbs, Vice-Chair Ward)
