Why Are Public Discussions of the Budget Last on the Agenda?

Why is presentation and discussion of next year's school budget last on the agenda, following a substantial meeting agenda and, tonight, a public hearing. I don't understand why there aren't more public discussions planned for the budget. Perhaps the budget discussion timeline will be discussed further tonight. I hope so, because I think public discussion of the budget and the Board's decisions are important. What process is followed and decisions made are likely to affect the outcome of future referendums.

I'm amazed at the 13 items on tonight's agenda (seems like too much given the important topics, but I guess I don't understand the urgency for all the items), including a public hearing on the Leopold addition, in the middle of the meeting and placing the budget discussion last. I give the School Board credit for stamina, because they will need it for tonight's meeting.

Superintendent Rainwater implemented his proposed 2006-2007 budget in early April via allocations (which are 86% of the total budget), but this is NOT a final budget, because the School Board has the responsibility to approve the budget. April 24th, the budget was presented at the end of the evening. Tonight, the budget discussion is the last item on a 13-item agenda that includes a public hearing, and then the School board will not again discuss the budget for more than 2.5 weeks when the School Board is to have public discussions about "finalizing" the budget. It's not clear when the public will have input into the discussions after tomorrow, May 9th. Public meetings will finish before much public discussion of the budget by the School Board, board amendments, final draft budget before approval. I hope tonight's budget discussion takes up the timeline for the budget for the rest of the fiscal year.

Doesn't it take time to publicly discuss and to understand a $350+ million budget before the Board proposes amendments to the budget? Isn't there one night where the School Board could make public discussions of the budget a priority and explain to the public what will be discussed when? Why can't discussions continue into June - the fiscal year is finished in late June? Is it because of the layoff deadline for union teaching staff? Vacations? Other?

Posted by at May 8, 2006 9:57 AM
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