School Funding Budget Update

As I left the Cypress Creek Academy and Detention Center graduation on Friday I could not help but recall that we typically spend approximately $18,000 a year (or $50 a day per inmate) to manage and rehab an inmate in our detention centers, while for the 2011-2012 school year we are provided less then $6,300 a year to educate a student.  [Note that CCA can receive an additional $5,670 per year to educate the inmate.]

As many of you know the state has drastically reduced the funding for public school students.  We are expecting to have a reduction of $11.2 million for Citrus County Schools for the 2011-2012 school year.

On Friday, Superintendent Sandra “Sam” Himmel send out an important email to all teachers and employees of Citrus County School District.  Ms. Himmel shared “State Legislators have approved the budget for the 2011/2012 year which will now be sent to Governor Scott for his approval. The final budget for our district is a reduction in revenue of $11.2 million.  (This funding level is equivalent to the funding we received in the 2001/2002 school year.) I share this with you because we will be facing some very challenging times in the next few years. Although we had been preparing for a reduction, we were not expecting the reductions that were approved by the legislature last week.  We have been reviewing programs and positions at all levels and have been forced to make some very difficult decisions.”  Ms. Himmel went on to share, “We have reduced positions in every occupational field such as food service, maintenance, custodial, transportation, clerical, teaching and administration. We have chosen not to fill some of the vacant positions so that we can meet these reductions. We know and agree that these reductions are not in the best interest of our students; unfortunately, we cannot sustain our current level of funding and services.”  Ms. Himmel finished by saying, “I am still optimistic for we have found bright lights in this economic challenge. While many districts have eliminated special areas such as art and music, we have committed to sustaining these valuable programs.”

I very much appreciate Ms. Himmel’s email and for making our teachers and employees aware of this situation.  We are a community and our lives are very connected to one another. It  is important as we begin to look at potentially more changes that we continue to work together on solutions as much as possible.  That said, like Ms. Himmel stated, I too remain optimistic that we will prevail and be successful despite these economic challenges.

If you have any questions or concerns that I might be able to address please do not hesitate to contact me.

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Central Ridge Elementary school musical

Central Ridge fifth-graders take to the stage for ‘Viva la Ridgebacks’

From left: Hunter Goff, Cody Wayman, Jacob Eno and Brad Melanson prepare for their performance in “Viva La Ridgebacks,” the fifth-grade musical that starts at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Central Ridge Elementary School. (photo by Leslie Richardson)

The third annual Central Ridge Elementary School fifth-grade musical titled “Viva La Ridgebacks” will open at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school’s cafetorium.

This year’s show pays tribute to Elvis Presley. The beginning of the school year marked the 50th anniversary of Presley’s film “Follow That Dream,” portions of which were filmed Citrus County.

“Viva La Ridgebacks” is the third original play written and directed by fifth-grade teacher Natalie Columbus. As is the tradition, the lyrics to several popular songs have been rewritten to accommodate the storyline.

The audience will recognize 21 Elvis hits, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and of course, “Viva Las Vegas”! Students have been co-directed by Christina Touchton, a fourth-grade teacher at CRE. Touchton also choreographed the production along with Alicia Carson, an instructor at Reflections, a dance studio in Lecanto.

The story follows Eddie Preston, played by Bradley Melanson, as his family relocates and he reluctantly becomes the “new kid” at Central Ridge. Audiences will hear the voice of Tara Velez, who co-stars as Ann, a girl who has lost the will to sing since the loss of her mother.

Back by popular demand are the three custodians, played by Jacob Eno, Cody Wayman and Hunter Goff. Their “bluesy” break-time jam sessions are sure to provide an added homage to “The King.” The likenesses of Central Ridge principal Nancy Simon, assistant principal Vicki Lofton and former assistant principal Christopher Bosse will also return as portrayed by Mikaela Haskins, Brenna Towne and Shawn Host, respectively.

Additional cast members include: Hailie Aretz, Alejandro Arevalo, Malou Baas, Alexandrie Bavcevic, John Bavcevic, Paloma Bavcevic, Grace Blyth, Natalie Bologna, Makenna Campbell, Chandler Carney, Sean Carreras, Alyssa Chapman, Allison Cornelius, Vonny Correia, Ashley Ely, Colton Flynn, Rylen Garlitz, Sabrina Gatlin, Ashlee Graham, Laura Haynes, Sarah Heymann, Madison Juse, Abigail Linton, Samantha Marchant, Amber Moore, Kiersten Palmer, Alyssa Perez, Zachary Richardson, Alexis Sanchez, Haylee Snodgrass, Laurel Summa, Destiny Taylor, Lillian Torres, Megan Vann, Liam Wolfe, and Emily Wright.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Suggested donation is $3 per person. Refreshments will be available during intermission.

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“I am so proud of our students and pleased for our educators!” ~Thomas

School district does well with writing FCAT

Gains come despite tougher test

By Cheri Harris, Citrus Chronicle
Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Local public school officials see reason to celebrate in test scores released Wednesday.

2011 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Writing results show that district-wide, more students are scoring higher on the standardized test given to fourth-, eighth- and 10th-graders.

According to information on the Florida Department of Education website, this year 81 percent of Citrus County fourth-graders scored a 4 or higher on the 6-point grading scale compared to 60 percent in 2010; 88 percent of eighth-graders scored a four or higher compared to 80 percent last year; and 77 percent of 10th-graders earned 4 or better compared to 73 percent the year before.

“Overall, I’m very proud and pleased with the gains,” said Sandra “Sam” Himmel, superintendent of schools.

One reason for pride is that more students overall are scoring higher, even though the standard for proficiency has been raised.
From 2005 through 2010, the score proficiency was 3.5; starting this year, the statewide FCAT Writing standard is 4 or higher.
“It is a leap,” said Patrick Simon, the district’s director of research and accountability, “and so schools knew that and put in place curriculum, instruction, programs and methods to reach that bar.”

Simon said that in 2001, the state standard of proficiency on the writing portion of the FCAT was 3 or higher.

He said all traditional schools in the district had more students scoring 4 or higher than they did last year.

Some schools had sharp gains. Simon said the most dramatic district-wide is Inverness Primary School, which went from 51 percent scoring 4 and higher in 2010 compared to 88 percent this year — a 37 percent increase.

Among middle schools, Crystal River Middle School had the sharpest increase, with 95 percent of eighth-graders scoring 4 and higher compared to 83 percent last year.

At the high school level, Crystal River High School and Citrus High School both increased by 4 percent, with 73 percent of CHS 10th-graders scoring 4 and higher and 71 percent at CRHS. Lecanto increased 3 percent, with 85 percent scoring 4 or higher compared to 82 percent last year.

Among elementary schools, at 93 percent, Citrus Springs Elementary School had the highest percentage of students scoring 4 and higher; among middle schools, CRMS had the highest percentage.

Cheri Harris can be reached at (352) 564-2926 or charris@chronicleonline.com.

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