Funded ActivitiesTwo Options to Consider

Where we’ve been

• August• Implemented extracurricular guidelines

• September:• Public presentation on GVSD’s extracurricular programming, expenses,

revenues• Overview of activity fees• Board recommends surveying the school community

• October:• September School Board Presentation posted on website• Distributed electronic survey 

• November• Presented survey data at public Board Meeting

• December to April• Three new Board Members• Compiled enrollment data• Brainstormed other options

Our Reality

• Act 1 constraints and the new fiscal realities of school districts have restricted spending.

• Scrutiny has increased across the district, region, and state as districts implement activity fees and/or cut extracurricular programming.

• GVSD’s funded activity programming is more robust than benchmarked school districts.

Quick OverviewDistrict Extracurricular Programs

Definition of Funded Activities

• Activities that are facilitated by paid coaches or advisors.

How Many Funded Activities are Offered in Garnet Valley?

Level Athletic Non-Athletic

High School 26 37

Middle School 15 32

Elementary School NA 36

How Many Students Participate?

Level Athletic Non-Athletic

High School Participants: 731 Participants: 997

Middle School Participants: 379 Participants: NA

Elementary School NA Participants: 1,156

How Do We Compare?

Funded Activities Garnet Valley Average Funded Activities of Benchmarked Districts

Athletic 38 37

Non-Athletic 105 60

GVSD Elementary Funded Activities

• The comparison data shows that our elementary program is more robust than other districts. • GV Elementary Funded Activities: 36• Benchmarked District Average: 6

Financial Overview and Impact of Extracurricular Programming

Revenues and Expenses

• Revenues and Expenses:• Revenues: $57, 373 (gate receipts); $612, 706 (student

activity receipts)• Expenses: Athletic—$1.4m; Non-Athletic—$1.3m• Total for 2012-13: $2,077,188• Expenses are inclusive of salaries, benefits, contracted

services, transportation, field maintenance, etc.

Our Community Financially Supports our Programs

• Booster Club-any parental or community support group that provides services, awards, funds and/or equipment for school district sponsored programs.

Our Community Financially Supports our Programs

• Average booster fees for athletics: $93• Range: Football $200 to Cheerleading $50

• Average booster fees for non-athletics: $50• Range: Drum Line $300 to Environmental Club $7

• Booster fees, only—does not include fund raising, trip costs, donations, miscellaneous equipment, etc.

Options

• Charge Activity Fees• Reduce Elementary Funded Activities

Regardless of the Direction

• Due to the implementation of the supplemental guidelines, we are planning to reduce 10 or more funded activities at the secondary level for a budget savings of approximately $21,000

One Option: Charge Activity Fees

• Growing trend in Pennsylvania and nationally• Requires students and their families to pay fees to

participate in extracurricular activities

What the survey said…

• 52% of respondents support the idea of implementing activity fees to help the district support its extracurricular programs. • 36% of respondents who have a child or will have a child in

the district support the idea of implementing activity fees.• 76% of respondents who do not have a child in the district

support the idea of implementing activity fees.

Fee Ranges Per Survey

• I would support the implementation of an activity fee that ranges between (choose one).• $25 to $75—63% • $75 to $125—25% • $125 to $175—6% • $175 to $225—6%

• 70% of respondents support a family fee cap that sets a maximum amount that families are required to pay.

Estimated Revenue—a Multitude of Options

• Assumptions:• Individual Participants• High School: 900 • Middle School: 700 • Elementary School: 1156

• Tiered system—$75, $50, $25• One time fee—one fee to participate in multiple activities• Fee cap not applied

• Based on individual participants and the tiered system: $131,400

Another Option: Reduce Elementary Funded Activities

Why pick on the elementary?

• Our programming is significantly more robust in the absence of a strongly articulated need.

• Elementary students in our demographic have access to multiple community based after school activities and programs.

Why not the Secondary?

• Secondary programming is • more congruent with the programming of other districts.• more tied to educational research and need.• part of college, military, and vocational expectations.• an opportunity for students to secure scholarship

opportunities• Families currently contribute to the programs.

Some examples of programs that could remain at the elementary level

• Band• Chorus• Orchestra• Drama• Robotics• Reading Olympics

Elementary After-School Activity Program

• Modeled after the GV summer camp program• Self sustaining through tuition• Tuition would reflect the cost of salaries, materials, room

utilization, etc. Increased opportunities for students and teachers

• Activities generated by student interest, teachers’ passions, community need, etc.

What this idea attempts to do…

Provide quality programs tailored to student needs. Provide teachers an opportunity to work in areas of

passion Promote student success and after care Provide an equal opportunity to teachers who wish to

make supplemental income. Promote fiscal responsibility utilizing creative solutions. Align our programs with benchmarked districts while

remaining competitive.

After School Activities—A Compromise Option

• Approximately $75,000.00 in sustained savings.• Guideline implementation has created $21,000 in efficiencies• Not impacted by fluctuating enrollments, fee caps, or families

that opt out.• Does not require compliance oversight and collection logistics• Maintains after school programming for all students but requires

the elementary parents to pay a fee for activities.• Sustained savings with efficiencies realized through guideline

implementation, aligns the district with benchmarked districts.

Next Steps?

• Board takes action to give administration a direction• Depending on the Board’s vote, administration must

begin the implementation.