Schools seek $14.6 million more from county
Well, it finally happened. The school board voted Thursday for its 2005-06 budget. (Not at 1 a.m., thankfully. That's about when Tuesday's meeting ended, in case you didn't stick around 'til the bitter end like the rest of us.)
How's it all shake out, you ask.
Good question.
Let's start at the beginning. The district gets about a $131 million local budget, which means that's the part of the tab the county picks up. The entire budget, including state and federal funding, stacks up to about $500 million.
The board's vote on Thursday seeks a $14.6 million increase, give or take a few thousand, from the county. That would increase that $131 million to about $145.3 million. (Yes, I know that doesn't add up. Remember, I said give or take a few thousand. Thus, the disparity.)
But this budget ain't cooked yet. County commissioners may not get to pick the ingredients, but they decide how much grocery money the schools will get.
(Sorry. It's late. I'm tired, and my creative writing gene suddenly kicked in here. Once again in plain English please: Commissioners can't pick and choose what the school district can spend its money on. But commissioners can tell them how much money they'll get.)
The school board hasn't gotten its invitation to the county budget dance yet. But when they do, they'll get a chance to talk about why they need the extra money. And once we find out when that is, we'll tell you here at the Chalkboard.
County commissioners will have a budget meeting June 2 and must pass their budget by July 1.
Read more details on the school's budget in Friday's News & Record.
Comments (2)
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Jen,
Although in the past it has been true that the County "can't" tell the School Board what to spend their money on. There are two factors: History of past spending or not spending on priorities (i.e. some "temporary" trailer classrooms ancient - over 20 years old I believe; school supplies; millions in maintenance repairs needed, nurses, etc.) to consider and Public Trust at stake if they want support for future bond referendums for our children.
The county commissioners may not like to "micromanage". But perhaps a new day has come. It is very encouraging to see the School Board actually sit and discuss and go over the line item budget; the public can watch the meeting if they can last that long. It is encouraging to see them ask questions of the GCS employees who prepare this budget. They have been elected to do this. (I would also encourage each of them to take some courses in Accounting too - Anita is exempt. Also Darlene seems to have a handle on what to look for.)
There are also people that God invented called "independent auditors". Now that would be tax dollars well spent.
In the Business 101, it comes under "Control" and "Checks and Balances".
There should be a system of checks and balances. That is how it is done in the actual business world where there aren't never ending government dollars involved.
The Real Barbara Ann
Posted on May 13, 2005 7:07 AM
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Posted on June 21, 2006 3:05 AM