From the LT: SAGE Program Proposed Cuts

One thing that is curiously missing from this article is the fact that ECASD was notified in NOVEMBER 2007 that the deadline for applying for waivers was FEBRUARY 1, 2008. The first time principals and teachers were even notified of the proposed change was on March 6th and it was first presented to the BOE on March 10th with a Public Hearing scheduled for March 24th. This information was discussed at the meeting but not reported by the LT.

How do you spell ACCOUNTABILITY ???

Maria

For LOTS of information about the SAGE program you can go to the WI Stae Dept. of Public Instruction (DPI) page and be informed: http://dpi.wi.gov/sage/


Updated: 3/16/2008
SAGE Hearing


The Eau Claire school board will hold a hearing on the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education, or SAGE, program waiver process at 6 p.m. Monday, March 24, in Room 137 in the Administration Building, 500 Main St.

When a SAGE school is unable to meet the class size of 15 students in grades K-3, the Department of Public Instruction requires a school district to apply for a waiver to provide the district and SAGE schools time to comply with the SAGE law.

The waiver process requires a public hearing.


Program to reduce class size may be cut
Four elementary schools would see more kids in classrooms
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Class sizes at four Eau Claire elementary schools are expected to increase this fall if elected officials approve a recommendation to discontinue a state program.

District officials are recommending discontinuing the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education, or SAGE, program at Sherman, Sam Davey, Roosevelt and Northwoods schools for the 2008-09 school year.

The final decision will be up to the school board, which is holding a public hearing on SAGE at 6 p.m. Monday, March 24.

The purpose of SAGE is to improve staff development, implement a rigorous curriculum focused on academic achievement, extend learning opportunities and increase collaboration between schools and their communities by extending school hours and reducing class sizes.

The program, established in the 1996-97 school year, is funded by the state to supplement district funding, so school districts with higher poverty levels can provide class sizes of 15 students in kindergarten through third grade.

Funding is determined by the number of students receiving free and reduced lunches in those grades.

While SAGE helps reduce class sizes, additional district dollars are required to support the program in all schools, said Kris Dimock, director of pre-kindergarten and elementary education.

"SAGE funding is intended to supplement not supplant," she told the school board March 10.

During that meeting, Fred Weissenburger, executive director of student services, projected the cost to bring all eight elementaries offering the SAGE program into compliance with the law at $717,700 for the current school year - $555,950 for Sherman, Sam Davey, Roosevelt and Northwoods and $161,750 for Longfellow, Locust Lane, Lakeshore and Flynn.

School officials are recommending submitting a waiver to the state Department of Public Instruction - a requirement when a SAGE school is unable to meet the class size of 15 students in grades K-3 - to give the district time to comply at Longfellow, Locust Lane, Lakeshore and Flynn.

Of the eight schools that offer SAGE, those four have the highest number of students receiving free and reduced lunches, according to figures presented to the board at its last meeting.

"More district dollars are required in schools with a lower number of students receiving free and reduced lunches," a letter sent to parents March 11 stated. "Fewer district dollars are required in schools with a greater number of students receiving free and reduced lunches."

Of the eight schools offering SAGE, Longfellow has the highest percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunches, 73 percent, followed by Lakeshore, 52 percent; Flynn and Locust Lane, 49 percent each; Roosevelt, 41 percent; Sherman, 39 percent; and Northwoods and Sam Davey, 33 percent each.

If SAGE is discontinued at Sherman, Sam Davey, Roosevelt and Northwoods, school officials expect class sizes of 17 to 25 students for grades K-3.

During the March 10 board meeting, interim Superintendent James Leary reminded the board the district was facing a budget deficit of more than $2 million for the 2008-09 school year.

Board member Trish Cummins agreed the budget was an issue. However, the board hasn't had a chance to talk about SAGE and the bigger issue of poverty, she said.