Swcs Rumors Oct09

RUMORS are things people SAY FACTS are things you can PROVE MORE RUMORS It takes only seconds to create and minutes to spread RUMORS such as these: SWCS hasn’t done anything about skyrocketing health care benefits.

If employees with single-plan health care coverage would pay part of their premium, it would save the district millions of dollars. The district rehires its own retired administrators in the same positions and this cost tax payers more. The district could save $250,000 by eliminating the public relations operation.

The district pays administrators’ employee contribution for their retirement. Staff raises averaged 4-6% per year over the past several years. Our high schools have more assistant principals than in the past.

The district finances can be easily reviewed by anyone in a short period of time for cost savings.

THE FACTS The TRUTH comes from facts that can be checked by anyone. FACT: Health care costs are a national concern. The district recently has made six changes to adjust health care benefits: changed carriers, instituted a two-tiered plan, increased co-pay costs, increased deductibles, changed to self-insured and offers a pay-out for those who don’t take district insurance. FACT: Employees can choose the single-plan even if they are not single. If the single-plan coverage cost employees the same as family coverage, they would likely choose to switch to a family plan, which would cost the district more money rather than be a savings. FACT: SWCS stopped this practice nearly two years ago when it was no longer financially beneficial to the district. Even before this practice was eliminated, it did not cost taxpayers any additional money. FACT: SWCS has a Communication Services Department that handles crisis planning; the Web site; publications; public records requests; phone calls from all residents, press, and parents; graphic design and more. The Print Center alone, also managed by this department, saves the district thousands of dollars in printing costs each year. FACT: The administrators negotiated this contribution in lieu of raises. SWCS average administrative salary is the 7th lowest in Franklin County. FACT: While negotiated salary schedules impact individuals differently, the base salary increase since the last levy has been between 1.5% and 2.3%. FACT: In 1976, both Westland and Grove City had three assistant principals - our high school administration is at the same level it was 33 years ago. SWCS has more students per administrator than ten other districts in the county and is 45 students above state average per administrator. FACT: School district finance is extremely complicated and there are many laws governing the process. A team of seven highly trained auditors from the State Auditor’s office will take six months to review the finances of the district for the Performance Audit before drawing their final conclusions.

Additional facts about the South-Western City School District √ The South-Western City School District is continually looking for ways to improve fiscal responsibility. There is independent oversight on every dollar spent, and South-Western City Schools continues to be among the lowest in Franklin County in local property tax revenue. √ South-Western City Schools brought in the State Auditor’s Office to review operations and financial management and will utilize the recommendations presented in its Performance Audit. √ Based on a resident’s suggestion, South-Western City Schools created an independent Citizen’s Advisory Group of community members with expertise in business, finance, education, law and our community, representing all areas of the district, to review and report on finances, efficiencies and increase communication with the community. √ The South-Western City School District ranks 14th out of the 16 Franklin County school districts in per pupil spending. √ The South-Western City School District has cut $22 million and 350 staff positions in the last three years. √ ALL teachers, administrators and staff agreed to pay freezes. √ The South-Western City School District has passed only one operating levy in the last 15 years.

CHECK THE FACTS Sources of Information Ohio Department of Education www.ode.state.oh.us Auditor of State www.auditor.state.oh.us South-Western City School District www.swcs.us Hugh Garside, Treasurer 614-801-3047 [email protected] Communication Services 614-801-3027 [email protected]