Spotlight students, sports banquet, Galleria art show: MRH on Twitter

1. Let’s quit talking about how private schools are a “better deal”, and more efficient. First of all, I’d be a more efficient teacher if I didn’t have to teach EVERY student equally, no matter the disability, social skills, socio-economic means or whether they even live in an actual dwelling other than their car. Compare test scores on standardized tests between private and public schools and you’ll see, when controlling for variables such as the ones mentioned above, that students do just as well in public schools. In my experience teaching at private schools and public schools, private schools have economic advantages, but definitely NOT more qualified and caring teachers. The most talented teachers don’t usually have the means to live on a private school salary and support a family.
   The problem with public schools is the disconnect between perception and politics and the reality of the state of our children today. Our children are poorer, more needy and less prepared for schools. Our children don’t learn in the same ways they used to. They need more and more support for non-academic needs, to make them capable of learning at all. It’s NOT wasteful spending.

2. MRH’s board-approved budget for operating expenses for the 2015-16 school year is $17,645,000. The difference between the operating budget amount and the full budget of $27,852,527 is comprised mostly of the capital fund (including $6,100,000 from Prop K) and approximately $3,675,000 for debt service (paying payments for previous bonds for capital improvements). This overall budget is higher than other years due to the Prop K bonds, which are solely for construction at the ECC. Capital and debt service funds cannot be used for day-to-day operating expenses.

   Regarding enrollment, as of October 30, 2015, MRH had 1,399 students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade and this number has actually risen slightly since that time. Expenditure per student per average daily attendance (ADA) is computed at the end of each school year for every district by the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. For the school year ended June 30, 2015, MRH’s official expenditure per student per ADA was $14,253.

   If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the District’s Central Office at (314) 644-4400. We are happy to explain these numbers in further detail to any of our community members.

   • I’m not necessarily opposed to a tax increase if it will help the children in our community. Having said that, I have my doubts about Prop Y. Per MRH’s website concerning Prop Y, approximately 80% ($.45 of the $.55) of the increase will be used for operating expenses. Further, salaries and benefits make up 80% of the operating expenses. MRH’s focus on the 38.7% increase in enrollment is somewhat misleading. The majority of that comes from an increased attendance in pre-k thru 1st grade. High school enrollment is actually down. I guess I want to know how the money will be spent. If the additional revenue would be distributed on a pro-rata basis, pre-k thru 1st grade would get a windfall and the high school would be unaffected. Probably not what the district is going for.

     Changes in enrollment:
     (pre-k) 125 = 32.6%
     (k-1) 90 = 23.4%
     (2-6) 153 = 39.8%
     (7-8) 19 = 5%
     (9-12) -3 = 0%

     Total enrollment change = 384

     What are your thoughts?

3. From the MRH website FAQ section – 1,230 students K-12.
   bit.ly/1UsNo0X

   Q: What is the breakdown of operating expenses and revenue for the District?
   A: For the last audited year in 2014-2015, MRH had operating revenues of $17,347,314 and operating expenses of $17,277,809.

   As you can see they list “operating revenue”, which is not the complete picture.
   The total revenue amount listed on MRH’s 2015-2016 budget is $27,852,527.
   http://www.mrhschools.net/userfiles/files/keyfacts/2015-16_MRH_Budget_Summary.pdf

   The 2014-2015 MRH financial statements list a total revenue amount of $21,134,450
   http://www.mrhschools.net/userfiles/files/keyfacts/FINAL_2015_MRH_Financial_Statements.pdf

   A point of clarification – not all revenues come from MRH taxpayers. There are also state and federal grants, as well as some fee based revenue (lunches, etc). The point however, is that they DID RECEIVE AND SPENT OVER 21 MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR AND ARE PROJECTING TO SPEND NEARLY 28 MILLION THIS YEAR!

   Regardless the sources of their income, (although 90+% of it from MRH taxpayers), they are spending a fortune to operate the MRH school district.

   Private education can do a more cost-effective job.
   It’s time we change our state constituion to allow for real school choice and stop this endless parade of tax increases.

   Could MRH compete in the private marketplace?
   If not, what would they do to stay viable?
   Perhaps they should think in that manner and start running our school district like an efficiently operating business.

   • Maybe you’re just not aware of the scope of “operations” that a public school does. I think if you look closely at the budgets of most private schools and most public schools, you’ll see many differences, most of which express themselves as higher costs and lower revenue for public schools, and are the bare minimum necessary for educating effectively.

4. VOTE NO ON PROP Y

   The Maplewood Richmond Heights School District is pushing yet another tax increase. This time it is called “Proposition Y” on the April 5th ballot.
   This proposition will increase taxes 55 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation. For my family that’s approximately an additional $255 every year. That is in addition to the previous school bond and tax issues over the last several years, effectively doubling our tax burden!
   The MRH School district’s 2016 budget lists total revenue of nearly 28 million dollars, educating 1,230 K-12 students. That comes to a total spend per student of $22,644.
   If this fact alone doesn’t make clear that the government education cartel is out of control then nothing will. Stop crippling taxpayers, especially seniors, with ever increasing tax burdens; end the school district fiefdoms and consolidate districts; better yet, change the Missouri constitution to allow for school vouchers so that parents can have real choice in education. I am certain that most parents would love to be able to send their children to any school, including the best private schools, for less than the cost MRH is spending per student.
   VOTE NO ON PROP Y (and every other tax increase)!

   • You certainly are entitled to your opinion and assume what I am going to tell you won’t likely change your mind but the amount you have quoted as the operating budget for the school district is nowhere near $28 million/year. I think the figures are more in the $12 million range last I checked.

   • With all due respect the figures you have quoted are entirely incorrect. The MRH website has a link to Proposition Y which states all of the actual facts. For example, 2015-2016 enrollment is 1,399. The total revenue for 2015-2016 school year is less than 18 million.
     This and much, much more information can be found on the website. I hope that all voters will do their research and make a well informed decision on April 5th. The names, phone numbers and email addresses of all 7 Board of Education members are also listed on the website to answer any questions a voter may have.

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