2009-10 draft budget details

I asked the district office to clarify some issues with the draft budget, both on Friday and today, and have yet to get a response.

So, here are some comments based on my review. If I do get any additional info, I will let you all know.

The expected revenue, which includes all income, to the general fund, is set at $101,199,056. Expected expenditures, which includes all spending, from the general fund, is set at $100,220,146. This adds an extra $1 million to the ending balance, which is $6,139,699.

When the budget cut list was passed by the School Board, the district was telling us to expect a shortfall of $2 million up to $5 million in revenue. The actual revenue shortfall, as compared to the 2008-09 budget, is $586,372, or a shortfall of 0.6 percent.

So, you'd think the district would go down that budget cut list, until they hit the $586,000 mark, and make those cuts -- which is what the school board approved.

But the district hasn't done that. Check the list (link at right). Cuts have been made all the way down the list, and other cuts have been crossed out as "not doable" at this time, starting at item No. 2.

The district states that more than $4.2 million in federal stimulus funding was received, and can't be used as general purpose revenue. But the district figures put this money in the general fund.

Another item I questioned: the summary page of the budget states the district has 10,400 students at its elementary, middle, and high schools. However, the next page shows enrollment history back to 2000-01, with the numbers ranging from 9,651 to a budgeted 9,969 for next year. Why the discrepancy? In March this year, the district said it had only 9,800 students, 1,000 below what had been projected in the district's capital facilities plan for 2004-2009.
How many students are they actually budgeting for?

It's more important than ever to attend Wednesday night's School Board meeting (7 p.m.), when the board will discuss this draft budget. Public comment isn't allowed, but it's the only time you'll get to hear what board members are thinking before they vote on the budget June 25.

You can call and write board members about your concerns and questions; there will be public comment time on June 25, but if we hope for any changes to be made, it would have to be done before the night they vote on it!

I'm also double-checking the meeting dates and times; the June 11 meeting started at 6:30 p.m., not the publicized 7:30 p.m. that was listed online on the agenda. And though the district office emailed me that the board would meet June 17, it isn't listed on the board's calendar online.

We'll get this straightened out!