Effective Data Collection Strategies for Improving School District Negotiations
This guide outlines the essential processes of data collection utilized by school districts like Dysart and Deer Valley. Collecting accurate information is critical for enhancing decision-making, particularly during IBA or negotiation processes. It emphasizes the importance of identifying relevant metrics, comparing similar districts for statistical relevance, and utilizing credible reports such as the AFR. The guide encourages a systematic review of data to uncover anomalies and establish benchmarks, ensuring districts can effectively articulate their priorities and strategies during negotiations.
Effective Data Collection Strategies for Improving School District Negotiations
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Presentation Transcript
AASBO Data Collection Project Ken Hicks, Dysart USD Jim Migliorino, Deer Valley USD
Data - Data collection is a process used to prepare and collect information. Why? • To improve a process or project • Increases accuracy of decisions • For most, this is used for IBA or Negotiations (Comparison Districts)
Data - What should be compared? • This discussion should take place first. • What is important in your district? • What points or information is brought up during negotiations? • What areas do you think should be examined?
Data - Who should you be comparing to? • This is very important. • Be as statistically sound as possible • Try to get similar districts. • Scottsdale USD should not be comparing to Murphy ESD. Regional and Type of district should be similar.
Data - What data source? • Use AFR whenever possible. • Use budget only for current year and return to AFR after year. • Budgets show where districts wanted to go, AFR indicates where they went.
Data - Look at the data, do you have any anomalies? • When there are large variations, you should be able to explain it. • For example, looking at Dysart 2007, we spent 50% more per student in Unrestricted Capital. • Why? We opened four schools and a preschool.
Data - Benchmarks • Have you reviewed and determined where your district should be going? • How are you going to get there? • You must have a serious discussion on what is important to your district and why. • Work to move beyond just measuring things and address why you are doing so.
