InVEST 2000:
A Total Quality Program Alternative to Failing Levies
By Richard A. Strong
When my wife, Rosa, was an Elementary School Principal, I was observing and absorbing the school district’s activities. The processes were viewed through the eyes and mind of a recently-retired government engineering manager. They seemed straightforward enough on the whole; however, year after year, the school levy story was one of total failure. The simple "Yea, Nay" vote system seemed to be terribly misapplied.
I thought that General Robert must be turning over in his grave to see such a misapplication of majority rule. His Rules of Order set down two main purposes: to assure that the majority ruled and, just as importantly, to assure that the minority would be heard. This second part seems to be ignored when it comes to levies.
My mind turned to the ways that Total Quality Management, TQM, programs are defined and run, according to the head guru,
Mr. Deming. The basic tenet of TQM is that the customer or user defines the requirements and the provider tailors the products and services to suit the customer. This approach stands in stark contrast to the common levy practice that forces all students and parents into a "one size fits all" suit. Is this really necessary? Can’t we do better?
I think we can.
I should mention that my work deals with computer software for TQM, among other things. One of the pieces of the program involves surveying potential customers for what they want and what they aver. This is set up for evaluating in terms of dollars. This asks them to literally put their money where their mouths are.
It would seem that the same method might work to overcome the levy barrier.
Now, I should also mention that the apparent practice of setting high levies seems to me to be just plain foolish. Anyone can read the results of votes and see that levies over, say, two mils, are very likely to fail. Rosa’s district went eleven years before the levy passed. So, it seems wise to consider that there is a practical limit to what taxpayers will support. The question is, "What do you do when the practical levy is not enough?" The answer may be InVEST 2000.
The InVEST is an acronym for Initial Voluntary Excellent Schools Taxation. Now you see the main driver: voluntary taxation by those who care enough to contribute their monies above and beyond the required levies. The way things work now, it’s really tough for those folks to give more. Sometimes, the parent-teacher groups can provide some ways for some things. InVEST 2000 goes a bit further into the problem and may offer another way for those who care to provide funds to their schools.
Now, it would be very simple for those who care to simply write a check to the school board, or parent-teacher group, or donate it to the Principal’s fund. Maybe this method would satisfy some. InVEST 2000 goes a bit further to target specific projects by building and grade. This might encourage those who care to give more by letting them, as customers, define the needs and the values of those needs. Obviously, this approach is more complicated and would need someone to keep track of things. This is where your handy personal computer comes into play.
The author has developed PC software for managing the InVEST 2000 program. Programs have been developed for running surveys of those who care and for tracking the funds. These are in the form of templates, as shown on the following page. The pages may be used as handouts for meetings or for mailings. The first page explains the program and the second page is the actual survey form. Anyone can make copies of the pages and use them. The handouts may be tailored to suit whatever is needed.
The PC software package is available via downloading from * invest.mdb . It can be used with virtually any common, off-the-shelf, business productivity software such as Microsoft Access database software.
If you would rather use a spreadsheet, you can download * investspread
Some may see an opportunity for grant-supported work. The author is seeking groups to support and use InVEST 2000. The initial survey work is most important for gaining visibility into what those who care might need. (It would also show what some do not want.)
One parting thought is that the InVEST 2000 program might be very useful for the students to use. They could run mock programs with pretend contributions. This could give them some practice in doing surveys, working with computers, and give them some insights into what it takes to run a school
Initial Voluntary Educational Supplemental Tax Program for Year 2000: InVEST 2000 We recognize the limitations of current ways of funding education; therefore, a better way is proposed. The better way proposes that parents, as taxpayers, should have the right to help their schools by contributing supplemental funds that may be targeted for specific purposes and grade levels in specific schools. InVEST 2000 may be managed through Parent Teacher Associations and Organizations or by other groups. The program vision is to pilot the program in phases: - Phase 0 is to present the program to a group; if it’s accepted, then a survey will be conducted; - Phase 1 would involve distributing results and commitment to a real funded program; - Phase 2 would present the results to school boards to determine ways and means for contributing; - Phase 3 would be the implementation of the funded program; Please help with this pilot program to make a new way for you, as a taxpayer, to express your preferences and, perhaps, even influence the operation of your schools. By filling in this survey, you will show your interest. The survey is privately funded and the results of the survey will be delivered to you and to your School Board. Please fill in the amount you would be willing to contribute to your school by grade on a monthly basis and what you want your contribution to be spent on in dollars by category. Please mail in your response promptly. Thank you for your help.. Date: ________________ District: ______________________ School: _______________________ Enter grade level of your child: __ Name(s): _______________________________ Amount you would be willing to contribute extra, monthly: _____ Your rating of this survey ( 1-10): __ a/general ____ j/field trips ____ b/teacher pay ____ k/science ____ c/materials ____ l/phonics ____ d/student ratio____ m/sports ____ e/building ____ n/lab/shop ____ f/enrichment ____ o/safety ____ g/tutoring ____ p/year-round ____ h/arts ____ q/meals ____ i/soc. studies ____ r/other ____ Describe Other: ______________________________________________________
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