Welcome to another edition of issues 2010 I'm Steve Macintosh and our guest this week is -- superintendent of schools Doug bowers what -- the show. Thank you it's going to be here tell us a little bit about yourself where you from and then what kind of professional experience do you have.
Well and a mighty mighty growing up peers were over and over it is not too far from here I graduated Miller at high school and 86. Ran off to Emporia State where I didn't my bachelor's degree and my master's degree. After my -- I came back to El Prado and talked for about five years. From that with the Parsons where I was in elementary principal spent 44 years down there. And from there I had the opportunity to move to Johnson canning in work for the -- school district. As one of their district office administrators and so I spent four years there. After that I had -- to go to Marysville Kansas where I was the superintendent of schools for the last five years -- of course this is disarmament sick.
Here here and Mays whose second year in base in minutes and totaled you've been right -- around the state a little bit -- I have a how long have you actually been in education as a professional since 1991. -- 1991 okay. And -- almost two years it and makes okay. Emporia State always considered it isn't it still considered an education's new investors miss him. It is it's often called teachers college they used to call that employees who was -- well yes I'm okay. There's an idea of the size of UST 266. How many students students Helena teachers that kind of thing.
We have about 800 employees. And we have right around 6500 students will. In the the first week of August we'll know a little bit more we'll do our one stop and -- or have new students coming in and so we. We anticipate a little bit of growth but work with the current economic climate we're not too sure how much it'll be so in that 6500 range. Have a physical planted on buildings and facilities and how many of you then we have ten schools. A district office. A maintenance facility and then -- transportation facilities. I'm we do operate. One facility that we share with the specialist co -- out of daughter -- net for -- students. As are transitioning from from our program in Cuba does life skills as -- move out to the community so. About 1111 places -- we have students. Over past couple of decades. Just a little -- community in its educational mission has grown tremendously and and you haven't been here for all the time but did you. Could you give us an idea of the kind of growth we've seen -- the past 1520 years we have the you're you're absolutely right we've had phenomenal growth and when you look at when you go back a look at the history and that's one of the things that I did is being a new superintendent coming into the community was look at that growth. We've had years worth an attempt saying growth. And so it's been a struggle over the years to make sure that we have. The appropriate space and classrooms and although the things that go into having a school. And now we finally -- were caught up with space we. -- in this the final stages of our latest bond issue with one school left to remodel. But when that's done we'll have five kilometres that are either newly construct or remodeled. Have to middle schools to high schools in the we also have complete high school maize which is an alternative high school for some of our students so. Throughout that growth -- we feel like we're we're finally at a place where we got the room and you know it'll be have another few years before raid to do anything. Construction wise but were always in that looking -- planning stage as we don't wanna get behind the ball again. I'm I'm to have forgotten about the bond issues and so for the -- if you'll please pardon me for that -- to have the the property tax owners and players out there been supportive of what you're doing this they have we've been very fortunate when you. Look at our our bond issues we've had a huge percentage of folks vote in favor of the bond issues that I think that just. -- the good reputation that we have a good job that we've done in the past and being able left folks know that this is what you get for your dollars and we'll do the very best. With with your tax dollars that we can't and so we're. Very pleased to support that we have opinion it must mean until folks who live in -- pretty proud of their schools they are you know week. We hear a lot of folks say that they they moves to the community moves that cited economic they wanted to go to -- schools. And so we felt very fortunate people are seeking us out and coming to us. The big recession has come slow down a new housing construction in many places. Has that had an impact on enrollment in the -- it has it has we. As -- don't you know there were years where we had eight to 10% growth this last year I'm we -- off forty needy students. Out of that 6500. And so we were less than a percent with our growth this last year and we don't know what to anticipate this year. We do feel like. Things Arabia on the upswing a little bit we think the big exodus has already happened to -- so. We'll -- here in another week or so what. How that's gonna work out what to tell us on that but. Is certainly has impacted our growth and the pace at which we were growing coincidentally news of them just nobody's moving in Munich and more students. Correct -- to steal from somebody -- now they'll make a lot of enemies. The recent reductions in or revenue from the state of Kansas and had a big impact in so many school districts and what about Mays. The a state dollars just coming in like he used to absolutely -- It has had a big impact on us and one of the things that we've done my predecessor. Set up. A process by which we worked this committees have patrons of students or staff members. To look at places in the budget where we can make cuts things that we could do without things that we can reduce. As so we've done that over the last couple of years the first year we were able to reduce. Million plus in expenditures. And in this year we went back to looked at those that same list of things trying to get more efficient trying to operate leaner. We did reduce some of our staff we have folks are retired or moved on and we didn't replace some. We're also not hiring -- staff so we've had some increasing class sizes but we feel like at this point work. Not a position where move really adversely affected the product that we're putting out but. It has had an impact there are lots of things that we did. In the past that we're not doing right now and and our hope is that as the economy recovers the dollars come back in. Will be able to go back to some of the things that we were doing in the past and provide debt total package for its what is your budget through here. Where about a fifty million dollar budget. You know what today can you actually have any control over well that's -- I think that's a great questions I think a lot of people don't understand it. When you look at our of that fifty million dollars about 88% of that are fixed costs when you talk about salary for staffs and insurance and things like that that we just don't have control over the costs so that round number that about eight million. To be real honest as well we have we have some sort of you know -- ruled it out.
Thank you have been able to do your economies and staff through them attrition. And of a freeze would receive freeze on hiring correct incorrect but it. What I don't know what else can -- big cut does that does something you can ongoing struggle find more stuff together.
It is as we as we walked through we just we simply look at ways. That we can do things in a more efficient manner. So -- things that that may not be quite as obvious that we. Work paper business and so we do a lot of paper we do a lot of copying it -- we -- be more official with that and so. Is that a different type a copy here is that going paperless and certain aspects of our business. Were at the district office who produced an administrator so. Even myself -- picked up some additional duties this year and so it's sometime just doing a little bit more than you've done in the past assuring that workload but this. We're examining every every every facet of our operations and if we can do it into more efficient cheaper manner than were working to do that -- put you on the spot eureka is here in Wichita little I would. Really didn't like to look like you when they cut drive present. I thought drivers that was one of the most. Powerful things -- school -- save my life about four times did you UK's two drivers and we duty drivers and communicate -- you think here we are gonna keep an era that we've been able to we've been able to main agent and make sure that. Were we're not making money off of -- but we're not losing money on it and our -- price structure may be just right where we we have a huge demand for we teacher during the school year but that we also teach in the summer. And it's all done in house with our -- folks and with our own vehicles so we can kind of keep that that cost a minimum.
You're listening to issues 2010 only Entercom radio stations I -- this week is may -- superintendent of schools Doug -- You know as recently as a couple of years ago Kansas school districts were looking for teachers and several specialties. As a picture changed remains.
It -- we've been very fortunate for us when we have openings we were able. That's to have the applicants that we need to fill those were still working on a couple about the openings that just came open we have some late resignations. And we -- worse you know. Being new here I was slightly panicked as is often times difficult fire in July. But so we have an English as a second language vacancies come open we had twenty applicants apply. And we were able to -- pick out a group. Five or six really strong folks that we want to interview so. For -- we've been able to the fine and I think you know -- current climate -- districts all around the state are laying people off. There are more and more people who have experienced that are are ready and willing to make it a transition to another place to take a job now. Moon moving easily so there were is absolutely needed to work absolutely we'll share if you would some successes in the area of scholarship or May's test scores keeping pace with the mandates that you have to me. We are we. We're very very blessed with a great group of kids and a great group of teachers. Did the whole No Child Left Behind and -- has been a great struggle for for lots of schools around the state in the nation. It is certainly put us in a whole another mindset as educators were really do have to focus and work towards that. But we're seeing great growth in great progress. Putting fourteen the mandate is that all students will be at 100% proficiency. And I don't know you know what district will be able to. To achieve that but that's our goal or working towards that I think you know the really nice thing about Steve is that we. We are expecting kids to perform and to perform well. And we no longer have any excuses to say well that's okay he's done the best that he and and we can't expect any more out of messiah I like that aspect of it that. We're working really hard with every kid and we have those expectations that that every kid will go as far as it. You really put a positive spin on -- and did testing mandates exert unreasonable pressure on teachers and students well and they make it harder they absolutely do and I think that you know as professionals we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Because we were not used to not succeeding in -- not used to not being on top and so sometimes that's hard to deal with when you have teachers who. Have worked for twenty plus years in the classroom and and always had their kids be able to achieve and so that's something that we talk a lot about his. You know just doing the best of what's being given that. We also. Know that that expectation is out there -- patrons because they've been so supportive of us with our bond issues. Have high expectations of us and they expect. Performance is so we try to give that right back to them you know the the product that we have is -- pretty precious commodity at someone's child and we wanna make sure that. We do an excellent job with that.
As a person who's been around for awhile I know -- as he changes his constant where there's been some of the folks who were a little older -- veterans. They may be a little uncomfortable with change are you seeing that or. Had our educators just decide well I gotta be flexible and go for everything you're.
I I think that's the case in -- as I as I do walk through the buildings -- watch teachers teach and talk to folks about what's going on a classroom I think that in the who wanted to -- editor -- thing you can expect to Macy's changed this so we're used to that we. We whether it's buildings -- classrooms whether it's the technology. We we have a lot of change it happens within our district and I think even you know when you think about our profession. This is a great time for us to reinvent how we operate and so we're talking a lot right now about. How we do business differently and and are there other ways that we can deliver education. Within our model -- maybe not that bricks and mortars but it's it's it's another application that can help kids learn. So we I think we're very open to change in I guess that's a piece of what I really love about my job is that changed his. There's nothing still about working in a school district it's different every day. And every year's a new year -- you get a chance to start over and tried again and and see where it takes you.
Another probably a lot of people out there is angry you know and education about the three yards given the basic state and you don't let other stuff. But what is the importance -- of extracurricular activities CU ST to 66.
Well that I'll I'll speak a little bit from my own experience. I think there's extra curriculars are. The areas where kids have the opportunity to shine. That it Maine and they may not be the scholar and so they have another avenue which they get to express themselves whether there are artist. Are there a performer or is there an athlete. And even if you are best scholar in and get the chance to shine in the classroom. Those activities give the opportunity to lead. And experienced team work which is very much what we do when we get out of high school we have this chance is to work with other people. At college teacher in the business or whatever industry that were in and so. There was a great dress rehearsals for kids for that real world application is so I think there's extra curriculars are huge part of what we do and we'd be foolish to think that that's not part of the complete education that we give our kids whether -- on the football field. Whether in the band or their performing in the musical for the high school I'm gonna do some educators tell me that too for some kids it's about the only reason they're still school -- have a lot of kids that way -- I have son he's now in college and we laughed and giggled after I graduated of course but we felt like he went to high school simply to pass the time between sports seasons ago that was what kept him there.
How what is your dropout rate. How will we mentioned pretty low in many it is very lower graduation rate is about about 98%. Brands pretty good when you calculate that drop -- rate they do it it's kind of yeah I know it's funky it's a -- yet it is that it yeah. But we have a we have a high graduation rate so we're we're pretty proud of that. You would you can hear your chance here's some successes in art music and athletics at wells we have we had and take credit for the past fifteen years. Absolutely credit got it -- our -- to tell you event this year because there's of the things that -- real. Real quick to mind we. Were able to win the girl's six say softball title in -- this year so we have the title teams there. Our baseball team and our soccer team -- high girls soccer. Were both send that the state -- this year and are if I'm not mistaken. Our. It was a it was a gold silver bronze to weekend for us that softball. Baseball and and soccer but her soccer are baseball team was third in our soccer team was second and then of course so I'll always first. We had two gold medalists at the state track meet miles you coma won the 40400. Meters and then Danny walker 1800 meters. We. This year we have a young man who was. All American debater I mean yeah we're -- years. They don't handle a lot of awards and art music and I'm aware of but now they're losing -- And -- for debate we had no American debater and then our -- high school debate team. Was ranked in the top 100 in the nation. May south high. Our new high school just last year was his first year. Was one of five teams in the nation they took a business professionals of America team to nationals and they won. One of the top fund raising drives in the nation so they were the top five there. And that we just we just heard that the may south high. Debate frenzy squad. The first place in the our regional summer competition. For our kids it was a multi state. Competition with several hundred kids and they were the top team in the region so we've got water lot of really great things going on and athletic and activities. And if you've not been any of our musical performances you're missing now. That that that was -- thing I just couldn't believe this year when I went to see high school -- put on those musical performances. I was prepared for high school performance and that's not what I got I got a much. Much higher product than that those kids are just phenomenal.
Many years ago I worked with an announcer who are constantly on his morning show. Put the put the -- on -- eighties he picked on me he's on -- recently because they had won a football game for several years. And finally went on the Aronson and I'll tell you what then. Did these people or not they're almost came in burning down but he says I'll tell you what -- you at a football game if you have a ball game help major bleachers they want minutes. So like everybody repeatedly -- to good cook but that was that was along time ago you guys have done to really well and athletics we have we have it was not nobody's -- the bleachers with the the Phillies -- part of that lawsuit against the state or funding where not Steve we. We made a decision --
Last year that the why were not happy with how we've been funded and and and we do fill that it has -- kids in this harm the process in which we work in. But the best way to advocate for ourselves is not in the courtroom. We think doing things just like we're doing today with you tell people the good things that we do a deposit is about what we do for kids in -- And getting out there and talk with their patrons because after all our patrons of the folks that vote for our senators and representatives. At the state house and those are the folks. That are gonna say yea or Nate how things have been handled that the state house -- if they're not happy with the funding for schools then. They'll take care of that at the ballot box this all and so. We just try to continue to advocate for ourselves and -- a good spokesman for all reduced for kids and help people understand that without those funds. It makes it difficult to continue to do those items would look around you period from five computer screens. This. Assess the impact of computers and all classrooms this technology is huge and we have been an early adopters and were. We're out there on the edge and you know that's I think that's one of the bad things about the cuts is that we've we've slowed with technology we've not had the replacement we've not been able to go out and do. The new technologies in the last year and so we're working on that maintenance but we. Heavily invest in technology. And at our district office we have a server farms that operates all the technology throughout the district we've got a fiber network between Oliver buildings and maize and over in the west Wichita area. And so we've got some exciting things on the horizon were able. To deliver curriculum to kids via technology that you know there. I have a seven year old daughter and she's out she's a digital natives he understands it she gets it and that's the world which he operates in the if we don't as educators take note of that and jump on boarding get involved and now we're gonna miss the boat or you green. Energy conservation -- we are we're schools throw him. A lot of new stuff the decision do they do our new construction. Is set up that away. We in August set our sport meaning are going to be presented with an energy efficiency award from the company that helps for their energy men management. We saved a million dollars. Over the last at least three years we have a contract with energy dad that they work with us to conserve. Energy and so we're very proud of that that we've been able to save those kinds of dollars. Just in our utility costs by being more efficient and conscientious of what we're doing. We recycle we have huge recycling program that are students ever -- is complete high school take care force district wide and so. We do our very best to be as. He is we can be. What about innovations beaten before we went on the -- you were talking about where you've got to go into you wonder classrooms and actually teach now and then wily people I heard and then it'll last year we have. Bingo want to get to know the district and so one of the things that I did was a job a month. And we started out in August and I was I was an eight on the bus because I don't have a license -- drive a bus that would let me drive but. I work for transportation and I worked as a teacher worked as a pair. I was in food service. I work with the our police department. I worked with -- army in this group did some browser I was responsible for installing the sprinklers are on our south campus -- by the tennis courts slates and sawed. Yet just did it a little bit of everything in the teaching aspect had a chance teach fourth grade and I -- high school social studies which are certified to teach so. Never feel overwhelmed. Just a little bit public these kids today how much smarter think Pittsburgh when I was we we make fun of a little -- but over in many ways here a lot sharper than they are they're very sharpen a uniting we oftentimes joked if I could go back can be kid. Was -- and I. Battle took about that I don't I wouldn't wanna be kids today is a tough world that they draw up an inmate. They are sophisticated because the world which they operate is so much more sophisticated who's going to be an exciting year and made you think it is all the missed cuts and everything. Yeah see it's it's it's going to be what we make it end we can we can hang your hands in. However glass half empty -- we can keep our heads up and never glass half full and then. And we're gonna make your own excitement we're gonna make we're gonna make -- good this gonna happen to us and saw I have full confidence in our kids and our staff that. This can be a great year no matter what comes we're gonna make the very best out of -- all the experiences typically are free kindergarten I wouldn't go in there -- Let's well that's that's why not because of my first job. This is a kindergarten teacher why don't like Arnold Schwarzenegger a particular.
Governors or listen thank you for -- best of -- have -- for the school year. And for all the years to come and you've done -- job out there and lot of growth in that area. And we we thank you for your time is when you talk about some of the issues involved with the the -- schools well thank you we appreciate being here our guest this week again -- superintendent of schools Doug -- That's all for this edition of issues Tony tend. We'll be back next week thank you for listing I'm Steve Macintosh.
