October 2009

Copyright
© 2009
Queue, Inc.

<< Florida Education News Back Issues

Queue Resource Collection   Access and Print Materials from an Entire Library of Workbooks for ONE LOW ANNUAL FEE!

Florida Students Maintain Progress on National Math Assessment ~ Fourth grade minority students and students with disabilities surpass national averages ~

According to results released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Florida’s fourth and eighth grade students have maintained long-term academic gains in math achievement. The results indicate that since 2003, Florida’s fourth and eighth grade students have increased their overall math scores by eight points each compared to a five point gain for the nation’s fourth-graders and six points for eighth-graders. The results also show that Florida’s fourth grade minority students and students with disabilities continue to outpace their national counterparts.

2003 marks the first year in which every state in the nation participated in NAEP and serves as the most accurate benchmark for determining long-term performance trends. Highlights of Florida’s 2009 NAEP math results include:

• Fourth grade students maintained the previous year’s average math score of 242. This is three points higher than the national average of 239 and represents an eight point increase for the state since 2003.
• The percentage of Florida fourth-graders performing at or above Basic is greater than the national average for every student group tested in the state. Scoring at or above Basic on NAEP is comparable to scoring at or above Achievement Level 3 on the Math Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
• The percentage of Florida eighth-graders performing at or above Basic is equal to or greater than the national average for every student group tested in the state.
• Since 2003, Florida’s African-American fourth-graders have narrowed the math achievement gap with White students by 6 points, compared to minimal reductions by the nation.
• Since 2003, Florida’s African-American eighth-graders have narrowed the math achievement gap with White students by 12 points, compared to the nation’s three point narrowing.
• Fourth grade students with disabilities increased their average math score to 230 this year, a seven point increase since 2007 and a 16 point increase since 2003. This year’s average score is 10 points above the national average of 220.

Known as the "nation's report card," the NAEP is a congressionally mandated project overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics to continuously monitor the knowledge, skills and performance of the nation's children and youth. Since 1969, NAEP has measured and reported on the knowledge and abilities of America's fourth, eighth and 12th grade students, providing data about students' performance in a variety of subject areas at national, regional and state levels.

For more information regarding Florida's 2009 NAEP math performance, visit www.nationsreportcard.gov. For charts depicting Florida's NAEP math results, visit http://www.fldoe.org/asp/naep/naep2009math.asp.

As students returned to class from summer break in Tampa, Florida, one “cool” addition will save these schools thousands in operating costs. CALMAC, a leader in energy storage systems, provided IceBank energy storage tanks to five Hillsborough County Public Schools in time for the 2009 – 2010 school year. These projects are projected to save the school district $50,000 per year in utility costs while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The IceBank tanks work in tandem with Trane chillers to produce ice at night, when electric rates are lower, and then use the ice to cool the school buildings the next day during peak periods.

This is the first time CALMAC’s energy storage equipment has been installed in Hillsborough County Schools, but not the first time the school district has turned to off-peak cooling for their air-conditioning needs. The school district had previously installed ice storage equipment in the 1980s, when dozens of young manufacturers, chasing new demand-side management rebate incentives, jumped into the marketplace. This first round of energy storage has not lived up to expectations, and ultimately the systems are being removed. In late 2007, the school board decided to revisit the idea of thermal energy storage. They reviewed several thermal energy storage technologies through a bidding process, before ultimately choosing the modular, internal melt ice on coil technology.

“There was a bit of hesitation, and understandably so, when we first revisited the idea of energy storage for our schools,” said Robert Wegmann, general manager of maintenance for Hillsborough County Public Schools. “However, the approach that Superintendent MaryEllen Elia and the current school board members took was quite forward-thinking. They recognized that with on-peak power being more expensive than off-peak power, we needed to invest in a smart grid technology to save money and be more sustainable for the environment. Modular, internal melt ice-on-coil systems have proven to be reliable and cost-effective in many other Florida school installations.

Aside from the economic benefits, this system will also improve classroom comforts by lowering humidity levels and will lower the impact of cooling on the environment by decreasing source-energy consumption, resulting in a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Because of these benefits, Hillsborough School District will continue to look for opportunities to retrofit their schools with energy storage equipment.

Martin County School Board

Located on the southeastern coast of Florida, Martin County is primarily residential with a limited economy historically concentrated in agriculture and retail services. Unemployment rates have increased significantly with the current economic downturn to 11.5% for August 2009 from 7.9% a year prior. Tax base declines have been relatively modest in recent years. The required local effort tax rate of 4.455 mills for fiscal 2010 is below the state average. Wealth levels remain among the highest in the state.

Financial operations for the district have shown moderate volatility recently with small operating deficits in three out of the last four years due to mid-year cuts in state aid. Unaudited fiscal 2009 results indicate a $1.6 million drawdown, as the district chose to use available fund balance to offset a portion of the $7.4 million in state revenue held back during the year due to state budgetary pressures. The unreserved fund balance is expected to remain above 4% of spending, exceeding the district's 3% policy level. The fiscal 2010 budget is balanced with no use of reserves. A portion of state revenue awarded to the district for the current year is made up of non-recurring stimulus funding, which the district is using for non-recurring expenses in order to maintain structural balance.

Debt levels for the district are very low. The district requires a minimal 0.145 mills of the 1.5 capital outlay millage to pay debt service on the COPS, which make up over 70% of the district's total debt. Capital needs are moderate with a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) totaling $95.2 million, including debt service payments. No additional debt is currently planned.

Lake County School Board

Located in central Florida, Lake County's economy has historically been concentrated in citrus with some recent diversification in light manufacturing. Many residents commute to nearby Orlando, which serves as central Florida's economic anchor with a broad and diverse economy. Unemployment rates have increased with the recent economic downturn to 11.2% for June 2009 from 6.1% a year prior. AV declines have been relatively manageable in recent years with a 3.8% decrease in fiscal 2009 and a projected 8.7% decline projected for fiscal 2010. The proposed operating tax rate of 7.782 mills for fiscal 2010 is above average although it remains well below the state maximum of 10 mills.

Financial operations for the district have historically been sound with unreserved fund balances exceeding the district's policy equal to 4% of spending. Fiscal 2008 resulted in a $1.5 million surplus increasing reserves to 7.3%. As a result of a policy decision to reduce fund balance to more closely mirror the state's recommended 4% level, the district is projecting a moderate deficit in fiscal 2009. The fiscal 2010 budget is balanced with no use of reserves while the district has stated that it is committed to retaining fund balances at their current levels.

Previous rapid enrollment growth has slowed in recent years although Lake County was one of the few Florida school districts to experience an increase in enrollment for fiscal 2009. Decreased growth has resulted in a significant decrease in capital needs. The fiscal 2009-2013 capital improvement plan (CIP) totals $212 million, considerably less than the $545 million fiscal 2007-2011 plan, and is expected to decrease further for fiscal 2010. Overall debt is moderate and no additional borrowing is currently planned.

Located on the west coast of Florida, north of Tampa, the district experienced rapid enrollment growth in the first half of the decade as the county's population increased over 4% annually before tapering off the past few years. The area economy has historically been limited with concentrations in agriculture, limestone mining, and cement production although many residents in the southern portion of the county commute to Tampa. Unemployment has increased significantly with the recent economic downturn to 13.3% in August 2009 from 9.2% a year prior. Wealth levels are below average.

Financial operations have stabilized over the past few years with operating surpluses in six out of the last seven audited fiscal years. Fiscal 2008 ended with a small surplus, bringing the unreserved fund balance to 3.7% of spending. In fiscal 2009, the district made a policy decision to increase fund balance in order to provide a buffer for any necessary drawdowns in fiscal 2010. Unaudited results for fiscal 2009 show an increase in the unreserved fund balance to a strong 8.1%. The budget for fiscal 2010 shows a decrease in fund balance partially resulting from a 4% step increase granted to teachers. Balanced operations thereafter will likely require additional cuts given this increase to the expenditure base and potential continued volatility in state funding. Fitch would view favorably the district's implementation of a fund balance policy, which is under consideration by district management.

Capital needs for the district have moderated in recent years as enrollment projections have declined. The proposed fiscal 2010-2014 capital improvement plan (CIP) totals $135 million, significantly down from the fiscal 2007-2011 plan which totaled $401 million. The completion of two schools in the next two fiscal years will decrease capital needs in the out-years and are projected to lower the percentage of students housed in portables to roughly 12% from the current high of 23%. Debt levels for the district are moderate with slightly below average amortization. No additional debt is planned.