Dear School Community Member,
On behalf of our Board of Education, I want to thank those of you who attended our first Budget Forum.
Many residents and faculty members joined us to review information about our 2010-2011 school district budget including the following topics: budget goals; current, confirmed and anticipated revenue losses; increased, unfunded State mandates; fixed and increasing district costs; declining enrollment; contingency; mandated contingent budget exclusions; additional contingent budget exclusions; related program and staffing impact; current and proposed cost saving measures; and, our budget planning process and calendar.
As promised, after the presentation, we broke up into discussion groups which were comprised of residents, community leaders and faculty members. Taking into account the economic realities which we shared, we asked the members of each discussion group to identify district expenses which they considered to be most important for 2010-2011. We also solicited feedback regarding additional, potential cost saving measures. After the small group discussions, we reconvened as a large group. At that time, each of our seven Board members shared information with the large group about the recommendations, questions and concerns which were shared with them by each of the groups which they led. The lists that were generated were both informative and extremely comprehensive.
Our second Budget Forum meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m. in our mini theater. At that time, we will share responses to questions which were posed at our first meeting, and information about issues which were raised and recommendations which were made. Subsequently, we will participate in the group discussion format and large group reporting which was so productive in February.
We hope that those who attended previously and others will be able to join us. It will be very important for our Board of Education members to continue to hear about those programs which are valued by our community members, as well as to receive recommendations regarding additional cost saving measures which should be considered. It will also be critical for community members to hear updated information about the latest information regarding State aid cuts and new unfunded State mandates.
As I shared with you in my last letter, if ever we have faced compelling financial hurdles and significant challenges to our children’s education and to our taxpayers, such will be the case next year.
As always, in the event that you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to write or to call me.
Most important, please make time to join our Board members, other residents, our faculty members and me on March 10th at 7:30 p.m. in our mini theater.
The insights and support of the school community members who attended our last meeting was very important; I know that the same will be the case for those who join us on March 10th.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Anna F. Hunderfund
Superintendent of Schools