Finance+Week+3,+Part+5


 * __ Week 3, Part 5: Examining District Funding and Facilities __**

District 1: $145,968,635 District 2: $2,916,187,709 District 1: $94,871 District 2: $8,836.256
 * 2010 District Property Value (DPV): **
 * Interest & Sinking Fund (I & S) Tax Collections: **

District 1: $572,716 District 2: $0 Clearly District 2 has significantly more funds available for existing debt/school facility bonds. My guess in looking at these districts on paper would be that District 1 facilities are in poor shape and in need of repair, upgrades, and most likely new construction. District 2 facilities, on the other hand, will most likely have state-of-the-art facilities with all the “bells and whistles.” District 1 has a negative fund balance, an indicator that they are in deep financial trouble. Their efforts at collecting taxes doesn’t show to be a strong one, although their property tax values are very low. District 1 appears to be in despair and in dire need of financial assistance and support. District 2 has a healthy fund balance with more than enough revenue coming in through property tax values, excellent tax collections, and an ability to pay for existing debt with little or no impact on their overall budget.
 * Chapter 46 (EDA) Totals: **

How does this impact student learning? The condition of school facilities has an very significant impact on the learning environment, therefore a significant impact student learning. It would be difficult at best to create a positive learning environment in a building that was in great need of repair and upgrades. An environment such as this results in negative attitudes about coming to school (who wants to be there?) not only from the students, but from the staff as well. This attitude is critical to developing positive learning environment. Students must feel that they are in a safe and secure building. If no one cares about the facilities, this translates to students that no one cares about them, resulting in students not caring about school. Learning starts with attitude. Attitude begins with students feeling cared for and worthy of being educated in a nice, comfortable, building.