The Health Magnet's Dental Clinic - Can DISD afford it? YES

UPDATE, 5/22/11:  Per discussion I heard at the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee, I think CATE funds do go through the General Fund, but they can only be used for CATE-qualified expenses.  I am not sure it really changes the focus of my posting below, but I did want to mention that.  It is also possible that the teacher is paid with General Funds, and program costs with CATE funds.   Sigh - hard to tell, this stuff is still being sorted out in a way that we the public can understand.

(original post)
Jack Lowe asked a very pointed question at the last Board Meeting.  Putting kids through a dental certification program is great - they can go out and get a good job in a good field - but can DISD afford to do it in these lean times?

Mr. Lowe had recently visited the student-run dental clinic at the Health Magnet High School.  He asked how many kids were in the program, and was told "ten".  Mr. Lowe - God bless him! - doesn't waste time beating around the bush, saying what he's thinking straight out.  This meeting was no exception, and it's a question that needed asking - can we afford to spend money on a great program for only ten kids?

The nice thing about saying these kind of things out loud is that IF parents are listening, they can participate in the discussion.  I am happy to report that there WERE parents listening, both in the audience and watching the podcast.  One of those parents got right on it!

Here's what she found out:

YES! DISD can afford it because DISD doesn't have to pay for it!

First, the program and the teacher are both funded through CATE funds (Career and Technology, from a special grant).  These funds do NOT come out of the General Ledger fund, which is where the cuts have to come from.  So, if this program were cut, it would not save the District any money.  CATE funds cannot be moved to the General Ledger fund.  Use 'em or lose 'em (I think).

Second, each class has 10 students, but the whole program actually prepares 30 a year for certification.  The class size is capped by the State, so the Health Magnet offers more classes in order to serve more students.

Third, the clinic serves teachers and DISD staff (whom they charge) and also DISD students who don't have insurance (I don't think they are charged). Last year, they had 249 appointments with 525 procedures performed.  A DISD teacher who had her teeth cleaned there said she paid $50 for the service, which included x-rays.  She said the students did a great job, and she was happy to save money!

How many other grant-funded programs are out there?  Can we replicate them on other campuses?