Bob's Plan

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When I first ran several years ago, our state faced a budget deficit of $3.6B (over a two-year period) while the Germantown School District faced a $2.1M deficit.  

Legacy issues were the driving forces that created these deficits and going forward, they were not sustainable. 
 

Something had to be done.

Subsequently, Act 10 was enacted, which we embraced.  Now budget deficits are gone and our budgets – both at the state and at our district – are financially sound.

Going forward and what I ran on for re-election, my plan will be focusing on several items to include:

1. Pay it Forward - As it is truly all about the kids, I will continue to give back and donate my entire school board salary to the Germantown Community Scholarship Fund. Results: At the end of my final year in office, my wife and I will have donated over $54K to the GCSF.    
2. New Superintendent - Successful on-boarding of our new Superintendent and ensure continuity of district operations. Results:  This has been done and we have a great superintendent.  In addition, and at the same time, we also onboarded a new finance director.
3. Safe & Secure Schools - Continue to identify opportunities to enhance our school safety plan. Results:  This ongoing and we always identify opportunities to ensure that our kids remain safe & secure.  The referendum provided much needed improvements to the safety and security of our schools.  In addition, the board spent an additional $330K in safety and security enhancements.  This coupled with our See Something Say Something programs and our ALICE training, we are safer today than we were yesterday.
4. Outdoor Sports Venue Master Plan - Finalizing our Outdoor Sports Venue Master Plan and engaging stakeholders on appropriate next steps. Results:  This is being discussed at both the board level and within the building committee.
5. 4K Program - There is community interest in providing a 4K program within the Germantown School District. I commit to reviewing this and identifying appropriate next steps. Results:  We are moving forward with this with registration now open for 2022-2023 school year.
6. Curriculum - Continuing to provide the tools for our kids to be career ready, by moving away from Common Core and creating our own standards, curriculum, assessments & experiences. Results:  We continue to move forward with this. Likewise, in 2021, the board took action to restrict CRT within our schools all while re-affirming our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality.  
7. Local Control - Exercising our right of local control. Results:  Our board is 100% committed to this.
8. Conservative Financial Stewardship - Continuing to practice sound conservative financial stewardship and to keep our taxes low. Results:  Taxes remain low even with the recent referendum.  In addition, the board has taken measures to reduce expenses to ensure a balanced budget along with investing more dollars into the fund balance.
9. Intergovernmental Relationships - Identifying opportunities of mutual interest to improve upon efficiencies, to drive out costs, all while improving the delivery of services. Results:  A combined meeting of both governmental bodies (Village of Germantown & Germantown School District) occurred in early 2021.
10. Metrics - Create new metrics to support the Germantown Way initiative as well to improve upon our already great school report card. Results:  This matter is being reviewed at the board level.

I am excited for what the future holds for our communities that make up the Germantown School District, and especially for our kids.

I have had the privilege of serving you for the past 11 years as a Board Director, with 9 of those years as Board President.  

It is an honor to represent you as we continue to Put Kids First.