In an effort to keep you abreast of the state budget impasse and provide a snapshot of our advocacy in motivating the legislature to pass a fully funded basic education formula (BEF), attached is an article that was published in the Reading Eagle that has now gained attention throughout the state in various news media outlets. 

Also, below, is the information that was shared by me and the school district executive leaders on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 in meetings with key legislators who lead the education and appropriations committees (Senator Lloyd K. Smucker, Senator Patrick M. Browne and Representative Stan Saylor).  Next, we engaged in two more meetings—one with Senator Judy Schwank and another with Secretary Pedro Rivera. 
 
Overall, I believe it was a great day for the Red Knights!  The legislators and secretary were extremely engaged in our story, intrigued with the many challenges we have due to socioeconomic status, and seemingly convinced how adequate funding for school systems like ours is a necessity.

The Reading Eagle publishes "Superintendent's Forum," in which Berks County superintendents write stories about education. In this week's series, Dr. Mumin addressed the state budget impasse and how it is affecting schools.

Dear Red Knight Family:
The holiday season is quickly approaching; thus, providing an opportunity for you to reflect about the many precious moments of the past year.  I urge you to find a quiet place, relax, close your eyes, meditate and give thanks for the many blessings you have received the past year.  When you open your eyes after this brief exercise, I trust you feel renewed, rejuvenated and appreciative for all of the good things life has to offer, such as good health, family, friends and prosperity.
 
As educators, you deserve the very best life has to offer.  You are a major factor in the lives of our children in Reading School District.  Your positive influence and feverish attention to promoting and fostering student success is paramount in our students’ social, emotional and educational development.  You are all dream keepers and conduits of hope for our children, and with your continued vision and passion, our students have the ability to exceed infinite possibilities in an ever-changing society.
 
Please remain thankful for your ability to lead, teach and support our children, as it is a gift that is truly a blessing.  Working with young people and making the commitment to grooming them into scholars and academicians who are college and career ready is an example of how you are exceptionally special people, who are vested in doing the greater good in our society.  This commitment expands throughout our entire learning community including support staff, professional staff and administrators, because “it takes a village” to promote and sustain student success.  However, it takes your Red Knight Pride to encourage the students to achieve, believe with the confidence to partake in opportunities to change their lives immediately and transcend in to the future with a blueprint of change for generations to follow.
 
I admire, appreciate and salute you for your continued work as champion of children for students in the City of Reading.  Enjoy the holidays and have a happy New Year! One Vision. All Students.  One Reading!
 
Sincerely,
Dr. Khalid N. Mumin
Superintendent of Schools

Dear Red Knight Family:

November 16-20, 2015 is American Education Week, which is a time to salute the many people who advocate for quality education as a basic fundamental right, priority and responsibility for the children of Reading.  These people include our educators (teachers, support staff, administrators, and substitutes), parents, community partners, faith-based partners and unsung heroes.
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We are committed to educating a community of learners, who are 17,000 strong, representing 28 countries, speaking 27 languages and are ethnically and educationally diverse.  Thus, the importance of remaining a cohesive team and working collaboratively to create sustainable pathways for our children is a paramount priority of importance.

The continued work for our children in Reading School District is a complex task but extremely rewarding. You are the village it takes to raise a child, and the true champion of children necessary to groom successful academicians who can succeed in an ever-changing society.

Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work.  You are greatly appreciated.

​Sincerely,
Dr. Khalid N. Mumin
Superintendent 

​Our entire Reading School District staff has been selected to receive an “Extra Mile Award” from the City of Reading and Berks County Action Program. Below, you can read the full nomination letter submitted by Kristin Boyd, Director of Community Engagement. A recognition ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1 at Reading City Hall. If you would like to attend the ceremony, please contact Kristin at boydkm@readingsd.org by Friday afternoon. One staff member in attendance at the ceremony will be selected to accept the award on behalf of Reading School District.


EXTRA MILE NOMINATION
Entire Staff
Reading School District

Going the Extra Mile
This nomination might seem odd, but it is difficult to nominate one person from Reading School District for the Extra Mile Award. All of our staff members – from Dr. Khalid Mumin and his administrative team to the principals, teachers, secretaries, guidance counselors, nurses, translators, librarians, custodians, para-educators and parent outreach assistants, and so many more – continually go the extra mile to serve, help, encourage and educate our amazing students.

Our motto is One Vision. All Students. One Reading, and our staff exemplifies that every day, whether it’s staying up late to create a tactile bulletin board they saw on Pinterest the night before; buying a bus pass for a student to make sure he has transportation to school; washing uniforms for a less-fortune student; staying after work hours to help students review assignments; learning sign language on their own so they can communicate with an autistic child; finding free field trip opportunities for students so they can be exposed to new experiences; or attending a student’s sporting event or extracurricular activity on the weekends.
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So many people throughout Berks County bash Reading School District, our students and our staff. Yet, in spite of that, our staff shows up with smiles on their faces because they know our students are watching. They could easily work in a suburban district, where there are much fewer challenges and many more resources. But they recognize our students’ potential, and they work diligently to make a difference in their lives. They encourage them to always do their best and pursue excellence. They want nothing more than to see our students become successful.

Every day, our staff members motivate others, implement innovative and educational lessons and find ways to make the most out of existing resources. Our staff is beyond special, even more so because they never go the extra mile for recognition or accolades. They go the extra mile because they understand the value of education and the impact it will have our students’ lives, and in turn, the City of Reading. They go the extra mile because they understand that’s what our students deserve. That certainly makes us #RSDproud.

PSSA results were released today. As you are aware, throughout the Commonwealth the scores have dropped significantly, specifically in the area of mathematics. This is due to the change in the assessment, which is aligned to the new PA Core Standards.

This year’s scores will be used as a baseline for future assessments. It is important to know as we move forward our aim is not to teach to the test. Our goal is to continue aligning curriculum to address the PA Core Standards and offering professional development so we will have the tools necessary to enhance instruction. 

Please remain positive and continue to lead our students through this educational journey, focusing on the whole child, which includes:

• Maintaining high expectations for our children
• Nurturing, motivating and challenging our children to be active participants in the learning process
• Continually differentiating our approaches to create a synergy of pride and success in our student body

Working in Reading School District with the charge of preparing successful Red Knights for the ever-changing future is an extraordinary task. I am confident in our resiliency to address these newest changes and bounce back with great prowess. We have done it before, and we will do it again!

Have a great night,
Dr. Mumin


Resources:
Dr. Mumin’s PSSA video message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkltSIMZ5EE

RSD PSSA webpage: http://www.readingsd.org/domain/826

​A study recently released by Bruce D. Baker, a professor at Rutgers University, ranked Reading School District as the second most financially disadvantaged in the country.

The study entitled “America’s Most Financially Disadvantaged School Districts and How They Got that Way” examines funding disparities among several urban, suburban and rural school districts. The aim of the study was to identify financially disadvantaged school systems by using calculations of state and local revenue per pupil, the labor market average and the U.S. poverty rate.

Of note is the difference between “disadvantaged” and “distressed.” Financially disadvantaged districts are those that serve student populations with much greater than average need but do so with much less than average funding. Financially distressed districts in Pennsylvania are typically those that are under state watch by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for many reasons, including finances and/or academic achievement.

However, as is consistent with Mr. Baker’s depiction of financially disadvantaged districts nationwide, his research findings simply mean that Reading School District continues to serve student populations with much greater than average need but do so with much less than average funding. Therefore, the current discussions regarding developing a fair funding formula in Pennsylvania are critical.

It is particularly critical for the children of the Reading School District because fair funding formulas take into account the issues that face districts with high poverty, as well as address student factors like poverty, English proficiency and large enrollment.

I’m encouraged by the recent discussions regarding fair funding because our kids have greater than average needs that require greater than average supports. Fair funding would provide Reading School District the ability to conduct long-term planning and implement sustainable programs over a series of years, promoting academic achievement and access to career and college opportunities.

LATEST NEWS ON FAIR FUNDING FORMULASBERKS EDUCATORS HAIL PROPOSED SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
By David Mekeel
Reprinted from Reading Eagle

After a year of research, the Basic Education Funding Commission, a bipartisan group of Legislators and state administrators, unveiled a new funding formula last week. The proposal has already been unanimously approved by the state Senate Education Committee and moved to the full Senate, and is expected to be taken up by the state House Education Committee this week.

The formula is based on student enrollment, and takes into consideration things like poverty levels, charter school enrollment and a district's tax base.

The plan has been greeted favorably by most in the education community, particularly in areas such as Berks County which stand to benefit from the new formula.

Tuesday night, a panel of local educators gathered at the Berks County Intermediate Unit to explain exactly why a new formula is so necessary.

Here's what Dr. Mumin had to say: 
The Reading School District has just over 17,000 students, Mumin told the small crowd at the BCIU.

Those students are from 28 different countries and speak 27 languages. More than 93 percent are economically disadvantaged, 18 percent are English language learns and 16 percent receive special education services.

It all adds up to quite a challenge.

Making things more difficult is the district's reliance on state aid, which accounts for about 72 percent of its more than $226 million budget. With more fiscal challenges on the horizon, Reading needs all the help it can get.

"We can't go it alone," Mumin said. "We can't sustain on 72 percent from the state or on local taxes alone. The children of Reading need a funding formula."

Mumin said the district has a clear plan to move forward, but it's reliant on being able to afford to do certain things.

Like making sure schools are safe, both structurally and from crimes and violence. That can be tough in the city, Mumin said, where you may have an elementary school across the street from a bar.

Reading has to deal with a transient population, one where a particular elementary school of 900 students will see 700 moves in and out of the school in a year.

"We know it's inevitable, on the 30th of the month our students will move," he said.

Looking at the state commission's funding formula proposal, Mumin said it seems to be a boon for Reading.