District Administration - November 2012 - (Page 14)

NewsUpdate New Color Output Standards for Projectors With the rapid growth of high-definition color video and multimedia images for instructional applications in classrooms and schools, comparing the delivery quality of projectors is of pivotal importance. While the 3LCD company has long maintained the superiority of its three-chip projector design to deliver clear and vibrant color, until recently, there were no standardized ways to measure and compare color performance. Although school buyers could compare projector ratings by “white light output,” or brightness, rating color quality was a different story. This changed recently when the Society for Information Display (SID), a global professional organization dedicated to the display industry, published its groundbreaking new “International Display Measurement Standard” (IDMS). This document presents a scientifically- supported standard to measure color light output, so users will be able to evaluate projectors based on color ratings. The white light output of projectors is traditionally reported in lumens, and the complimentary new color light output is measured in lumens, as well. Prospective purchasers will, therefore, be able to easily review these key aspects of projector performance for models under consideration, and make better decisions. The new specification casts light on a major difference among projectors. Projector manufacturers typically provide information on resolution, brightness and contrast ratio as descriptors of performance, and will now report color ratings, too. The color light output specification provides buyers with a better way to evaluate performance, and will change how users review and compare the many projectors on the market. —Odvard Egil Dyrli For more information on SID and 3LCD technology, visit www.sid.org and www.3lcd.com. Br iefings Passing off $980M in School Debt for the Next Generation It’s a common situation: A school district in desperate need of additions or renovations and technology upgrades borrows money from investors, to be paid back with interest. But for the Poway Unified School District in San Diego County, Calif., there is a twist: They don’t need to make any payments on the $105 million they borrowed in 2011 until 2033, so the district’s debt will continue to grow as interest on the loan amasses. In the end, taxpayers will be charged $877 million in interest alone. This is possible due to a 2008 vote that allowed the district to borrow more money to finish a $500 million reconstruction project to modernize and expand the 24 oldest schools in the district that began in 2003, but did not permit the school board to increase taxes, leading to an expensive, controversial loan known as a capital appreciation bond. By 2051, the district must pay investors more than $981 million total, almost 10 times what they borrowed. Most schools only pay back two to three times what they have borrowed, and begin paying down the interest quickly. However, in California, the 1978 passing of Proposition 13 capped property tax at no greater Read post-Election Day than 1 percent of the cash value results and what it means of the home and restricted annual for Poway USD and other increases at 2 percent, calling for a California school districts at reassessment only upon its sale or DistrictAdministration.com. new construction. This measure reduced available funds for public schools and other local government services. Combined with other propositions raised by voters, it’s been almost impossible to raise taxes, according to published reports. As of this writing, two propositions are on the Nov. 6 ballot to address the problem. Proposition 30 seeks a 7-year tax raise for the wealthy and a 4-year, one-quarter percent sales tax raise, both of which will go into California’s General Fund. Proposition 38 calls for a 12-year tax raise on almost all citizens, with most of the revenue going directly to the schools and the rest for debt service payments for educational facilities. If neither plan passes, the state will confront $5.9 billion in budget cuts, mostly to schools, and districts will face severe reductions in the length of the school year. Poway Superintendent John Collins addressed community concerns in a September school board meeting, acknowledging the bond is “costly” but noting “it is imperative that we take a step back in time to reflect on the bigger picture,” as the construction program was successful and academic achievement of students continues to grow. “Throughout the life of the bond program, our district has worked closely and relied upon leading bond industry experts and bond counsel to guide us through complicated financing structures that would help us achieve one goal: meeting the financing requirements set forth by the voters of the district,” Collins said. “At all times, we can say, we achieved that goal.” District Administration 14 November 2012 http://www.DistrictAdministration.com http://www.sid.org http://www.3lcd.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - November 2012

District Administration - November 2012
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Flipping the Script in K12
Sustainable Professional Development
Brave New World of Teacher Evaluation
Philadelphia’s “Servant- Leader” Superintendent
Enhancing School Access Control
New Products
Professional Opinion
New Directions

District Administration - November 2012