Ben Logan Hosts First "Let's Talk School" Community Event

Benjamin Logan Schools Superintendent John Scheu, Treasurer Leah Baker, Board President Mark Himmeger, and Vice President Deb Johnson hosted their first "Let's Talk School" community event last night in Belle Center.​

Summary of "Let's Talk School" Community Event Topics
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1. Academic Report Card Performance:

• Overall Rating: The district received a 4.5 rating, indicating strong performance.
• Gap Closing: Achieved a 5 in gap closing, demonstrating effectiveness in addressing educational disparities.
• Literacy: While the district showed improvement, literacy remains an area needing additional focus.
• Graduation Rate: The graduation rate is commendable, but continued efforts will ensure all students meet new graduation requirements.
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2. Financial Health:

• General Fund Status: The district is projected to end the year in the black for the first time in seven years.
• Permanent Improvement (PI) Levy: The last PI levy was passed in 2009, with a loan in effect until 2027. Until it’s paid off, the general fund continues to be used for necessary expenses.
• Budget Management: The district has implemented zero-based budgeting, resulting in a healthier financial picture and better budget adherence.
• Expenditure Trends: A reduction of two bus routes and successful negotiations with vendors have contributed to cost savings over the last four years.
• General Fund (GF) and Permanent Improvement (PI) Fund Uses:
  • PI Funds are used for long-term investments, such as asphalt maintenance, addressing roof leaks, and purchasing buses and Chromebooks.
  • General Fund helps cover current operational expenses.

3. Staffing and Budgeting Efficiency:

• Staff Attrition: Reductions through natural attrition have yielded significant savings.
• Zero-Based Budgeting Impact: This approach has streamlined financial management, aiding in budget stabilization.

4. Future Facility and Safety Investments:

• Upcoming PI Expenditures: The district may need to allocate PI funds for indoor and outdoor bleachers due to safety concerns.
• School Resource Officers (SROs): Safety and security on campus are priorities, with SROs as the first line of defense and an armed response team serving as backup.

5. Community Engagement and Historical Financial Context:

• Community Support and Past Levies: The last request for additional funding was in 2000, demonstrating the district’s effort to operate responsibly within its financial means.
• 2009 PI Levy: Since 2009, PI funds have been vital in maintaining school facilities and resources, balancing the use of the general fund.

6. Logo Modernization Discussion:

• Potential Raider Head Logo Modernization: The Board briefly discussed the possibility of modernizing the district's Raider Head logo. They emphasized that modernizing logos is a common trend among organizations and that the goal is to refresh the design while maintaining the district’s identity.
• Community Assurance: The Board reassured the community that the district’s identity and mascot will remain the Benjamin Logan Raiders.

7. Positive Atmosphere and Policy Updates:

• Positive Community Reception: The event had a positive tone, and both Superintendent John and Treasurer Leah were praised for their informative presentations.
• Cell Phone Policy: Recent updates have been well-received, with no significant negative feedback.

8. Celebrating Teaching and Staff Quality:

• The quality and dedication of both teaching and support staff were highlighted as significant contributors to the district’s positive report card results.

9. Acknowledgment and Future Events:

• Thank You to the Host: The Board expressed their gratitude to the Belle Center Cornerstone Church for hosting the event.
• Future Community Events: The Board plans to hold similar events in the future within other Benjamin Logan communities to continue engaging and communicating with the broader school district community.
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Overall, the event served to update the community on the district’s current successes and areas for improvement, while reinforcing transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to maintaining the district’s identity.