What Makes You Most Proud?

Over the course of the school year I have shared reflections from our staff based on the number of years they have been in service to the Hudson Community School District. Those reflections have ranged from questions that the newest members of our team have about the district; to advice from veterans to those same novice educators. Along the way they have shared with us what still excites them about the work they do, the most important thing they have learned in their career, and work that remains for them. It has been quite a journey to read and reflect on these words of insight and wisdom. Today, as we are closing in on the final month of the school year, we'll end this series with some thoughts from the most seasoned members of our team. For some of these educators, we are not only closing in on the end of the school year, but they are also entering the twilight of their career. 

These employees have all been with the district for more than 20 years. That is quite an accomplishment, particularly considering the generalized statistics of how often the average adult changes jobs over the span of their working lives. It is a testament to their own personal loyalty to the district, and hopefully an overall satisfaction with how this place makes them feel. It has to be a little of that, right? So the question that was posed to them? What makes you most proud?

If there was a theme that could be drawn from those responses, it would be the relationships they have formed with their students and the overriding belief that Hudson is more than simply a workplace or a school. It is a family. A dedication to our students, not only developing them academically, but truly caring for them as individuals with hopes, dreams, and aspirations. It is having a role to play in setting them up to be successful when they leave us. And they are so proud when those [former] students return to their community years later and see how successful they have become. Bumping into a former student who, with a wide grin recalls a lesson from class, or a story they told that piqued an interest. These relationships helped spark a flame that was first ignited within the walls of their classrooms. To see them now giving back, in some cases when that former student transforms into a trusted colleague.

They mentioned the challenges they have faced as educators. They recall moments when money was tight and enrollment was on the decline. They admit that in some of those moments it was difficult to envision a bright future. But they rose together, as a family and met those challenges. They realize(d) that even during the tough times it is important to set an example for our children. They proved to themselves that through it all, they love what they do, they love who they work with, and it has helped them to continue growing as individuals and educators. 

What wasn't mentioned was the test scores, the essays, or the homework that was turned in on time. It was instead the connection that was made when a moment of confused expression transformed into sudden understanding. That moment when the lightbulb turned on. That epoch where pure magic happened. 

Managing Enrollment

If anyone had told me five years ago we would have waiting lists for open enrollment admittance I would have laughed them off. In fact, any time we had a request for open enrollment, it was a very easy 'yes'. My how the times have changed. Five years ago, our K-12 opening day enrollment was 754. We predict our opening day enrollment this fall will be somewhere in the vicinity of 880, an increase of more than 14%.

Managing enrollment is a very tricky undertaking. It is dynamic and ever changing. In fact, each January we begin to project the next fall's enrollment and will continue to take that measure all the way up to opening day on August 23. Those measures are important insofar as meeting our staffing needs. Our counting will continue through October 1, where that number will be certified and become a key variable in the budgeting process. Since we began our projections four months ago, it has been different each time, adjusting upward. Why? Well partly because people move in, and people move out. Sometimes they move in and the first time we hear about it is when they show up to register for school on the first day. The trend is clearly up.

We began the current school year staffed with 3 sections of kindergarten and deliberately put anyone on a waiting list that would have pushed us into 4 sections. It's not because we didn't have the capacity to handle 4 sections of kindergarten (look to this year's first grade for example). It was because adding another 4 section grade level would have a cascading effect on the entire elementary school, perhaps even at the high school. You see, at that point, we aren't only talking about adding 1 teacher, but adding additional auxiliary resources and staff. So we capped kindergarten at 3 sections, somewhere in the mid 60s. Fast forward to the the reality we are now faced with: next year that class will have 75 students, necessitating 4 sections. All due to residential enrollment growth. That's right. None of that growth came from open enrollment. It came from residential enrollment growth. 

You see, when it comes to residents (those who reside within our district boarders), they are automatically eligible for school registration. When it comes to open enrollment, we have a choice. When making that decision, the first metric that we have to consider is space. Our elementary classrooms are at their most efficient when they have about 20 students in them. So if the sections sizes are sub 20, then we can add open enrollment students. Further, when we completed the elementary renovation project in 2020, we set the building up to handle 4 sections. Granted, it will be tight but we can make a 4 section elementary happen. 

So if we determine we have the space, we'll typically grant the request. However, it's not carte blanche approval. Our first priority rests with those who already have a connection to the district. It may be a sibling that already attends or an employee of the district. After that, it is purely dependent on the time stamp under which the application was filed with the district. At this point, all of our K-3 and special education sections for next year are full. That means a number of open enrollment requests were put on waiting lists. As we go through the summer and people move in or move out, we may be able to accommodate additional requests. The operative word here being 'may'. 

That is because residential enrollment continues to climb. It hasn't eclipsed open enrollment yet, but it very well may. Our strategy for managing these two variables is simple in theory, but difficult in practice. Simply stated, as residential enrollment climbs open enrollment will have to decrease. 

When the high school task force convened and ultimately recommended the district move forward with the high school renovation project, I made the remark this wouldn't be the final construction project that would need to be considered by the district. As this column has hopefully articulated, enrollment is up and the trend appears to be set. But if another construction project is to be realized, it has to be for the benefit of our community. As some community members have pointed out, we would be ill advised to embark on a construction project for the benefit of another school district's students. I agree.

Even so, as I mentioned above, managing enrollment growth is a tricky business. Particularly when trying to balance the mix of residential and open enrollment. A difficult needle to thread indeed. Case in point, the growth experienced in the current kindergarten. 

Further, while I don't want to make this about revenue generation it would be foolhardy to say it isn't important. Truth be told there is no mistake that enrollment growth writ large, and in our current case open enrollment is having a positive impact on budget. If one were to look around the state, districts that are experiencing decreasing, or even static enrollment are experiencing budget cuts. And we're not just talking about smaller districts: Linn-Mar, Grinnell, Iowa City; the list goes on. Why? Because 2.5% SSA is not sufficient to maintain and grow programs. On the other hand, for districts that are growing rapidly, the revenue that is generated by enrollment growth blunts the shortfall created by SSA that doesn't keep up with inflationary costs. In our case, open enrollment will generate more than $1.5 million in revenue during the next school year. 

We've been on both ends of this issue as a school district. Times of declining enrollment coupled with low SSA resulting in budget cuts (translated to staff layoffs). Now we are in a period of increasing enrollment which also creates challenges. To be honest though, I prefer the challenges that come with growth as opposed to contraction. My guess is that you all do as well. 

Unfinished Business

Like most careers, teaching is a marathon, not a sprint. While the initial enthusiasm is critical, it's the long term dedication that truly shapes lives. Our employees with 16-20 years of experience were asked, what remains unfinished in your career? In Hudson, we have a remarkable group of teachers that continue to find immense satisfaction in their work. One teacher said, "I do love working and living in the community"! Let's take a deeper look at some of the reasons they remain so passionate about education. 

After 20 years, many of these veterans are quick to note their teaching craft continues to evolve. They are constantly growing and changing how they deliver instruction to meet the needs of an ever changing and more diverse population of students. With experience comes a deeper understanding of curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and student needs. They relish the challenge of adapting their skills to keep pace with changing educational trends and technology advancements. This continuous learning process ensures their approach remains fresh and relevant for each new class they encounter. There is a clear recognition the job is never finished and that things will always need to be done, but that this group has what it takes!

Beyond the technical aspects, the human connection remains a cornerstone of their motivation. Many teachers comment about how proud and fulfilling it has been to develop relationships with these students across the district. Witnessing the remarkable journey of students as they develop into confident young adults is a privilege they deeply cherish.  They find immense joy in nurturing a student's curiosity, building their confidence, and witnessing the moment they grasp a previously difficult concept. The transformative power of education keeps them emotionally invested in their students' success.

However, the path isn't without its hurdles. Teachers with this level of experience often acknowledge the daily challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether it's crafting engaging lessons for diverse learners, navigating complex classroom dynamics, or collaborating with parents, they view these challenges as a chance to refine their skills and make a lasting impact. The ability to overcome obstacles and find innovative solutions fuels their sense of accomplishment. Indeed, there is a deep recognition that as our community grows, so too will the needs of our students. At the same time, there is an admission the incorporation of technology into the learning environment will continue to evolve. Learning how to navigate this environment in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) is and additional challenged faced by veteran educators.

The supportive network within the school community is another vital source of strength for these veteran educators. Years of working alongside colleagues fosters a deep sense of camaraderie. Sharing best practices, offering support during difficult situations, and celebrating successes together creates a positive work environment that fosters continued commitment to the profession.

Finally, these seasoned educators often emphasize the unique and unpredictable nature of each day. No two classes or students are ever exactly alike. This inherent variety keeps their work dynamic and prevents stagnation. They relish the unexpected moments, the spontaneous questions, and the chance to connect with students on a personal level, ensuring their profession remains intellectually stimulating and emotionally rewarding.

The dedication and passion of these long-term educators are an inspiration to all. Their commitment to continuous learning, fostering student growth, navigating challenges with grace, and valuing collaboration creates a foundation for success that benefits both students and the entire school community.

Time to Pivot

Today I want to offer encouragement to my 260 colleagues around the state who sit is the same seat as me. This legislative biennium has been one for the record books. There is no doubt the policies that have been enacted over the course of the last two years will have far reaching consequences. While we are already beginning to see the ramifications of these decisions, I suspect in the coming years our work will become even more challenging as the full weight of these laws become more pronounced. In months and years ahead, our communities will look to us for a steady hand on the tiller. They are lucky to have you at the helm. 

We are a little less that two weeks from the [presumed] end of the legislative session. Thank goodness! With the final passage of the AEA reform bill, it appears [I hope] that major educational policy for the session is complete. Granted, with a couple weeks remaining before 'sine die' anything can happen. I would be remiss if I didn't point out there are still a few landmines lurking just below the surface that may reemerge as amendments to other bills navigating their way through the law-making process. This legislative session has been especially stressful for many education stakeholders, especially our colleagues from the Area Education Agencies. Truth be told, each general assembly seems to bring about feelings of dread for the public school community. At least it does for me. It appears as though education is always being 'reformed' whether it needs to be or not. Oftentimes those who are pushing for the reforming aren't doing a lot of listening or talking to those who will be responsible for executing the policy once enacted. 

In my earlier days as a superintendent, my frustration during the legislative session was palatable. I spent a lot of time in Des Moines, advocating, arguing, and being a thorn in the side of our legislators. (I'm sure many of the would agree.) The side effects of which made me irritable, caused difficulty sleeping, and generally put me a in bad mood. So in the last couple of years I have come to realize that, YES the advocacy is important....but! At the end of the day, if we don't speak up then we can't complain when legislation goes sideways. Yet in the final analysis, while we may have moved the needle ever so slightly; it still comes down to one thing: politics. Understanding this and controlling the variables that can be controlled will help you sleep better and easier to be around.

This doesn't mean we should give up and throw in the towel. Far from it. Rather, it means we need to temper our expectations. Doing so will make us healthier and better leaders. Our communities will better served if we do so. Difficult decisions are on the horizon for many and you/we need to be at our best. In fact, some of you are already in the throes of budget cuts and building closures. I have been in your shoes and empathize with the position you are in. I encourage you to stay strong, and to provide detailed facts with supporting evidence when making your recommendations. In most cases, the decisions that are being debated are the result of many factors and policies. It would be wise to illustrate the cascading effect of the many variables that led to the place we now find ourselves. It is important to help our communities understand the nuance. To paint with too broad of a brush, or to point to one single change in policy risks credibility. Yes, it is complicated and multi-faceted. But our community members can handle it. 

At the same time we must turn the page. Most of us did not ask for, nor advocate for many of these policies. But the time for making our argument has past. It is time for a pivot to enactment. Our politicians can now help us by providing the details we need to carry out the law. We are all aware what the key components of this new legislation entail. What is unclear is exactly what all this means. 

And finally, we need to take the win. There was a lot we didn't get out of this session. But we did get a new and sustainable revenue source that will boost teacher wages. We have all lamented the shallow talent pool that haunts us during hiring season. It's April, and we are scrambling to find teachers. The new money to boost teacher salaries won't totally solve the problem, but it will help. That my friends is a big deal.