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Learning is a treasure that will followits owner everywhere.-Chinese proverbAKRONBudgetIsCentralSchoolDistrictsuMay 2012eIn this issue A Message from the Interim Superintendent.page 2Highlights From Our Buildings. page 3New York State Report Card onFiscal Accountability. pages 4, 5Proposed Budget Summary for 2012-2013.page 6STAR Information.page 7Budget Information.page 7Contingent Budget Spending.page 7Sample Ballot.page 8www.akronschools.org
Page 2A Message from the Interim SuperintendentA Message From the Interim SuperintendentDaniel CaprioPresidentKevin StoneVice-PresidentMark BramleyJody BregePhillip KenlineDavid PennTracy SturmerInterimSuperintendentof SchoolsDennis D. FordDear District Residents:It seems not a day has gone by since the turn of the new year that didn’t see another school district in Western New Yorkor our state explain significant cuts in their budgets for the upcoming school year. Unfortunately, Akron is experiencingprecisely the same difficulties, attempting to balance the continued use of remaining reserves with the realization that dramaticreductions were necessary. Any legitimate hope that state funding would make up for the dramatic decline in state aid fromthe last three years was dashed with the governor’s preliminary budget that is now finalized in Albany. There would be no fullrestoration of past funding levels, no federal assistance, no magic bullet of any kind.So, the Board of Education was faced with the enormous task of making significant cuts that would certainly impact thedistrict at all levels. Our website has listed very specifically the 1.6 million dollars of reductions which included a net of 17.3staff positions removed from our staffing inventory. The district also entered into another sharing of services with Clarence.This time, the position of Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds joins the Transportation Director position already shared withour neighbor. Conversations continue in a variety of other financial areas with the hope of determining additional savingsto buoy the development of future budgets in Akron. For example, we hope to complete the details for sharing our SchoolBusiness Administrator position with the Oakfield Central School District for the upcoming school year.While the staffing reductions are significant and will be felt in the next school year with several class sizes increased at theelementary and secondary levels, the course that has been established holds high hopes the district will be able to rebound andcontinue to discuss future staffing adjustments, if necessary. But the current crisis required firm, albeit not popular, decisionmaking in order to establish a more solid foundation for the next couple of years in the current environment that finds schooldistricts all across the state discussing solvency rather than academic success.The final line is impressive but its negative impact on staff prevents the Board from feeling good about its efforts. The 2012-13budget being offered for taxpayer consideration was actually reduced by almost 700,000, a 2.36% cut from the current year.The Board also voted unanimously to tax only to the allowable limit under the new tax cap legislation in New York. Using theformula required from the state, Akron is permitted a tax cap increase of 3.02%. The formula is complicated and it will leadto every district having a percentage increase that is unique to them. However, please be assured that Akron did not exceed itsallowable limit under the new legislation.It is important to re-emphasize that the Board continues to discuss the budget for next year even before the vote decides thestatus of the budget this year. All areas of district operations are under review to see if there are more economical ways ofdelivering services. The Board is determined to remain ahead of the state’s education fiscal crisis and nothing is consideredoff limits for discussion in the current environment.Your vote on May 15th may never be more important than it is this year. The polls will be open from 12:00 to 9:00PM inGym #3 at the high school.Very truly yours,Dennis D. FordInterim Superintendent of SchoolsPlease come outand vote onMay 15, 2012!The polls will be open from12:00 Noon - 9:00 p.m.High School Gymnasium #3located adjacent to theupper parking lot of the High Schoolwww.akronschools.org
Highlights From Our BuildingsPage 3A look at some of our achievements.From the Elementary School:From the Middle School: The continuation of Response to Intervention andAimsWeb, plus the implementation of GuidedReading and A-Z Leveling positively impactsefforts to serve the needs of all students as itrelates to literacy in Grades K-5. The PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventionsand Supports) Committee reports that 92% ofMS students successfully met the criteria tobe eligible to participate in the first long-termcelebration of the year with various activities. Service Learning opportunities included Penniesfor Patients (over 1000 raised in 2011-12and more than 5000 raised in past 6 years)benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society;annual canned food drive to support the AkronNewstead Food Pantry results in 2,000 itemsdonated; Grades 3, 4 & 5 raise 2,124 during“Jump Rope for Heart” Campaign for AmericanHeart Association; and proceeds from collectionof recyclables are donated to Make-a-WishFoundation. Lilyanna Berghorn and Maggie Leeds have theirwork chosen for publication in Akron Bugle’s“Emerging Artist Series” sponsored by AkronFloral Art. Participation in Pizza Hut “Book It” and DarienLake “Read to Ride” monthly reading goalsencourage and promote a love of reading. Once again ranked in the top 10 for New YorkState, the PTA’s efforts to collect Box Topsfor Education results in enhanced studentprogramming opportunities. Physical Education grants won for archeryequipment from NYS Dept. of EnvironmentalConservation and general P.E. equipment fromNFL’s Play 60 Challenge. Akron Music Teacher Debbie Komosinski isselected to receive the BPO/ECMEA Award forExcellence in Music Education at KleinhansMusic Hall. Grades 3-5 ELA – In 2010-11, 93.2% of studentsachieved Levels 2-4 as compared to 89.3%statewide. Grade 3 ELA – In 2010-11, 66% scored atLevels 3 and 4 as compared to 56% statewide. 22 Akron 6th grade students audition at AllCounty Elementary Solo Festival earning highscores. Emma Sage, Abby Nunn and AmandaSwader are selected. 7th grade varsity swimmer Julia Diebel is N-OAll-League Champion and school record-holderfor 100 Backstroke. Katie Grant, Bailie Murty and Jenna Gesel took2nd place in Jr. Division Group Exhibit at regionalcompetition of National History Day held atCanisius College. They qualify to compete atthe state level in Cooperstown, NY. Eight string musicians compete in the Jr. HighAll-County Solo competition. ACS Music Department, with help of AkronMusic Parents, hosts NYSSMA Jr. HighAll-State Festival. 475 students from 51districts participate including 12 from ACS.From the High School: Stephanie Denzler is named Commended Studentin the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Cross Country runner Jeremy Rushok is SectionVI champion, 1st Team All-WNY, All-WNYSenior ‘Runner of the Year’ and competed atNYS championship. Grade 5 ELA – In 2010-11, 91.4% scored atLevels 2-4 as compared to 89% statewide. Soccer defenseman Nathan Borchert andvolleyball player Kaitlin Borth receive individualrecognition as WNY Scholar-Athletes. Fourteenmore ACS senior athletes receive honorablemention. Grade 3-5 Math – 94.1% of students achievedLevels 2-4 as compared to 93% statewide.The 2009-10 cohort of students in Grade 3improved from 55% to 63% Levels 3-4 in Grade4. The 2009-10 cohort of students in Grade 4improved from 58% to 73% Levels 3-4 in Grade 5. The Boys Varsity Soccer team makes its thirdtrip in five years to the NYSPHSAA Final FourState Championships. Senior Peter Duerden isselected to All-NYS Small Schools Team, SectionVI ‘Player of the Year’ and joins Nathan Borchertand Vincent Chimento on 1st Team All-WNY. Grade 4 Math – 63% scored at Levels 3 and4 as compared to 58% in 2009-10. 96.2% ofstudents achieved Levels 2-4 as compared to94% statewide. Ben Sweitzer, Connor Meier and Clayton Ferrytook 1st place in the engineering challenge atNCCC Tech Wars. Grade 4 ELA – In 2010-11, 67% scored atLevels 3 and 4 as compared to 57% statewide. Grade 5 Math – 73% scored at Levels 3 and4 as compared to 66% statewide. 98.4% ofstudents achieved Levels 2-4 as compared to94% statewide. Grade 4 Science – 95% scored at Levels 3 and4 in 2010-11 as compared to 88% statewide. Vocalist Leah Bisson and instrumentalistLuke Klimchuk receive scores of 100 for theirLevel 6 solos at ECMEA All-County auditions. Six ACS athletes are named Ch. 7 Super 7Athletes of the Week: Paige Buscaglia,Kierstyn Sturmer, Alyssa Jones, Jeremy Rushok,Randy Mayer and Larson Sundown. Brett Judaszis named Ch. 2 News Class C Football ‘Player ofthe Week’. Kierstyn Sturmer earns 1st Team All-WNY FieldHockey selection and signs to play D2 fieldHockey at Mercyhurst College. Erie 1 BOCES Career & Vocational Schoolsinduct nine ACS students into the NationalTechnical Honor Society includingAngela Doria, Joseph Dorobiala, Trevor Dunn,Alexis Oczkowski, Stephanie Ozimek,Amanda Reiner, Adam Seguin, Zachary Stewartand Elyssa Brege. Brittany White receives first place award forphotography while Lisa Kowalewski earnshonorable mention at the Daemen All-HighArt Show. Eleven Akron artists show their photography atthe Impact Gallery in the Tri-Main Building,Buffalo. 16 juniors and seniors volunteer at St. Luke’sMission of Mercy. Open to artists from central and westernNew York and parts of Canada, Lisa Kowalewskihas two artworks chosen for the prestigiousAlbright-Knox Art Gallery Future Curators Show. Winter sports teams earning Scholar-Athlete teamstatus include Girls Basketball (91.196 average),Boys Basketball (93.366 average) and GirlsSwimming (95.488 average). Twelve ACS photographers have their workselected to hang at the Storr’s All-High PhotoShow at the Kenan Center in Lockport.Sarah Weigel earns honorable mentionfor her photograph, “Sunny”.
Page 4New York State Report CardSDL: 1491LEA: 142101040000The New York State School Report CardFiscal Accountability SupplementforAkron Central School DistrictNew York State Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations require the attachment of the NYS SchoolReport Card to the public school district budget proposal. The regulations require that certain expenditure ratiosfor general education and special education students be reported and compared with ratios for similar districtsand all public schools. The required ratios for this district are reported below.2009-2010 School YearGeneral EducationSpecial EducationThisSchoolDistrictInstructional ExpendituresPupilsExpenditures Per Pupil 13,171,5271,592 8,274 4,326,771149 29,039SimilarDistrictGroupInstructional Expenditures 7,931,685,291 3,040,144,023PupilsExpenditures Per Pupil818,103 9,695112,811 26,949Total of AllSchoolDistricts inNY StateInstructional Expenditures 30,088,158,593 11,362,166,0932,709,505422,576 11,105 26,888PupilsExpenditures Per PupilSimilar District Group Description: Average Need/Resource CapacityInstructional Expenditures for General Education are K-12 expenditures for classroom instruction (excluding Special Education) plus a proration of building level administrative and instructional support expenditures. These expenditures include amounts for instruction of students with disabilities in a general education setting. District expenditures, such as transportation, debt service, and district-wide administration, are not included.The pupil count for General Education is K-12 average daily membership plus K-12 pupils for whom the district pays tuition to anotherschool district. This number represents all pupils, including those classified as having disabilities and those not classified, excluding onlystudents with disabilities placed out of district. For districts in which a county jail is located, this number includes incarcerated youth towhom the district must provide an education program.Instructional Expenditures for Special Education are K-12 expenditures for students with disabilities (including summer special educationexpenditures) plus a proration of building-level administrative and instructional support expenditures. District expenditures, such as transportation, debt service, and district-wide administration, are not included.The pupil count for Special Education is a count of K-12 students with disabilities for the 2009-10 school year plus students for whom thedistrict receives tuition from another district plus students for whom the district pays tuition to another district. Students attending the Stateschools at Rome and Batavia, private placements, and out-of-state placements are included.Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil is the simple arithmetic ratio of Instructional Expenditures to Pupils. The total cost of instruction for students with disabilities may include both general and special education expenditures. Special education services provided in the general education classroom may benefit students not classified as having disabilities.2009-2010 School YearTotal Expenditures Per PupilThis SchoolDistrictSimilar DistrictGroupTotal of All SchoolDistricts in NY State 18,252 18,262 19,921Total Expenditures Per Pupil is the simple arithmetic ratio of Total Expenditures to Pupils. Total Expenditures include district expendituresfor classroom instruction, as well as expenditures for transportation, debt service, community service and district-wide administration thatare not included in the Instructional Expenditure values for General Education and Special Education. As such, the sum of General Education and Special Education Instructional Expenditures does not equal the Total Expenditures.The numbers used to compute the statistics on this page were collected on the State Aid Form A, the State Aid Form F, the School DistrictAnnual Financial Report (ST-3), and from the Student Information Repository System (SIRS).
New York State Report CardPage 5SDL: 1491LEA: 142101040000The New York State School Report CardInformation about Students with DisabilitiesforAkron Central School DistrictNew York State Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations require the attachment of the NYS SchoolReport Card to the public school district budget proposal. The regulations require reporting students with disabilities by the percent of time they are in general education classrooms and the classification rate of students withdisabilities. These data are to be compared with percentages for similar districts and all public schools. The required percentages for this district are reported below.Student Counts as ofOctober 6, 2010Student Placement -Percent of Time InsideRegular ClassroomThis School DistrictSimilar DistrictGroupTotal of All SchoolDistricts in NY StateCount ofPercentage ofStudents with Students withDisabilitiesDisabilitiesPercentage ofStudents withDisabilitiesPercentage ofStudents withDisabilities80% or more11980.4%57.3%56.2%40% to 79%53.4%11.9%Less than 40%149.5%19.8%16.8%Separate Settings106.8%3.8%6.0%Other Settings00.0%2.3%2.9%23.0%The source data for the statistics in this table were reported through the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) andverified in Verification Report 5. The counts are numbers of students reported in the least restrictive environment categoriesfor school-age programs (ages 6-21) on October 6, 2010. The percentages represent the amount of time students withdisabilities are in general education class-rooms, regardless of the amount and cost of special education services theyreceive. Rounding of percentage values may cause them to sum to a number slightly different from 100%.School-age Students with Disabilities Classification Rate2010-11 School YearSpecial Ed Classification RateThis SchoolDistrictSimilar DistrictGroupTotal of All SchoolDistricts in NY State9.8%12.3%13.0%This rate is a ratio of the count of school-age students with disabilities (ages 4-21) to the total enrollment of all school-agestudents in the school district, including students who are parentally placed in nonpublic schools located in the schooldistrict. The numerator includes all school-age students for whom a district has Committee on Special Education (CSE)responsibility to ensure the provision of special edu-cation services. The denominator includes all school-age students whoreside in the district. In the case of parentally placed students in nonpublic schools, it includes the number of students whoattend the nonpublic schools located in the school district. Source data are drawn from the SIRS and from the BasicEducation Data System (BEDS).Similar District Group Description: Average Need/Resource CapacitySimilar District Groups are identified according to the Need-to-Resource-Capacity Index. More information about thiscategorization is on the Internet at: 2/NeedResourceCapacityIndex.pdf
Page 6Proposed Budget Summary 2012-20132012-2013 Proposed ExpendituresInstruction 12,906,64445.59%Employee Benefits 6,062,86321.41%General Support 1,265,9544.47%Bond Principal & Interest 5,032,00617.77%Transportation Services 1,234,2534.36%Operations & Maintenance 1,811,6936.40%Final Budget2011-12%InstructionTransportation ServicesOperations & MaintenanceBond Principal & InterestGeneral SupportEmployee BenefitsTotal Expenditures 8,760 28,996,791Proposed Budget2012-13%47.71%4.44%6.42%17.37%4.41%19.65% 12,906,644 1,234,253 1,811,693 5,032,006 1,265,954 6,062,86345.59%4.36%6.40%17.77%4.47%21.41%100.00% 28,313,413100.00%2012-2013 Anticipated RevenuesAppropriated Fund Balance 2,200,000Native American Aid7.77% 1,154,0004.08%Other 1,285,3754.54%Federal Aid 50,0000.18%State Aid 13,536,62847.80%Erie CountySales Tax 1,100,0003.89%Property Tax 8,987,41031.74%Final Budget2011-12%Proposed Budget2012-13%State AidProperty TaxErie County Sales TaxFederal AidNative American AidAppropriated Fund BalanceOther 841,531,35849.14%30.09%3.79%0.17%3.63%7.89%5.29% 13,536,628 8,987,410 1,100,000 50,000 1,154,000 2,200,000 l Revenues 28,996,791100.00% 28,313,413100.00%
Proposed Budget Summary 2012-2013Page 72012-2013 Required Budget Vote Format2011-12 2012-13Budget%Proposed Budget%AdministrativeCapitalProgram 2,921,103 7,431,029 18,644,65910.07%25.63%64.30% 2,840,9837,373,784 18,098,64610.03%26.05%63.92%Total Budget 28,996,791100.00% 28,313,413100.00%Administrative 2,840,98310.03%Capital 7,373,78426.05%Program 18,098,64663.92%STAR Program InformationSTAR ProgramThe New York State School Tax Relief Program (STAR) provides New York homeowners with partial exemptions from school property taxes. If you earn less than 500,000 and own and live in your home, you are probably eligible for the STARexemption.Basic STAR is available for owner-occupied, primary residences where the owners’total income is less than 500,000. Basic STAR works by exempting the first 30,000of the full value of a home from school taxes.Enhanced STAR provides an increased benefit for the primary residences of seniorcitizens (age 65 and older) with qualifying incomes. For qualifying seniors, EnhancedSTAR exempts the first 62,200 of the full value of their home from school taxes.For the 2012-2013 school year, senior citizens applying for the Enhanced STARex
nCCC tech Wars. Vocalist Leah Bisson and instrumentalist luke Klimchuk receive scores of 100 for their level 6 solos at eCMea all-County auditions. Six ACS athletes are named Ch. 7 Super 7 athletes of the Week: Paige Buscaglia, Kierstyn Sturmer, alyssa Jones, Je
