Budget

[David Badanes]

There seems to be a disagreement about how a Board of Ed should approach the Superintendent's proposed Budget.

Some Trustees state that the Superintendent proposes a Budget and that the Board can modify (add/delete) any and all Budget items and assuming a majority of Board members agree, that any modifications would go into the final Budget to be voted on by the Public.  Of course, all Budget discussions would be in an Open Meeting.

Other Trustees state that the Superintendent drafts the Budget, and although the Board can ask questions about different Budget items, that it is not for the Board to modify.

What is NYSSBA's advice?  What do other Boards typically do?

[Sheri Senecal]

Thanks Bill! We have an audit committee. I will look into the possibility of those reps setting one of these up. Our board is only a 5 person so we wouldn’t be able to have more than 2 board members.

[Antoinette Darden-Cintron]

Thank you Bill I appreciate you sharing.

[Bill Grau]

We are not filling vacant positions, we have combined clubs where it is practical, we combined our 7 and 8 grade basketball teams. We are asking all employees to agree to not take their raise next year. If that happens we will not need to cut any positions. Is anyone else proposing a 0% salary increase?

[Antoinette Darden-Cintron]

I was told that currently regional superintendents have shared with each other that they were not going to make budget cuts that included staff. That most buget cuts would include after modified sports, retirements, fund balance and reserves.

If you're considering budget cuts, if so what are some examples.

[Bill Grau]

Sheri Senecal, I would recommend that your board establish a Finance Committee that is responsible for working with the Superintendent on the budget throughout the year. We have that, 3 of our 7 members sit on it and report back to the board during our regular meetings.

Antoinette Darden-Cintron-I am scared to death of the mid year cuts that are going to come.

[Antoinette Darden-Cintron]

Curious are all Boards worried about the fiscal cuts to school aid? How are you all addressing budget cuts?

[Sheri Senecal]

We are faced with this as well. In fact, we have a meeting in 10 days and have not been given any information. When I pushed about it we were given information I feel we should have been told without having to ask. I feel we are being asked to vote on something we will have no time to digest or review. What advice does anyone have on how to approach the lack of information the Board is being given?

[Antoinette Darden-Cintron]

Yes that is true. Not speaking up means you agree. It’s really tough now for all districts. I am receiving emails that asking for a decrease and others want it to remain. Out budget’s first draft was a budget to budget increase of 4%....that isn’t something that is tolerable now.

[Antoinette Darden-Cintron]

Thank you for this topic. We are getting quite a bit of push back regarding requests the majority of the Board wants to make. With the cuts to the budget from the Gov, the financial crisis our country is in and many face, and we are top-heavy with admins in a smaller district. I will admit, this is my first year as president and usually we ask questions here and there but approve the budget. This year is the first year that we have asked for savings across the board. So I guess this is new but we just have to be fiscally responsible.

[Bill Grau]

I agree, shared responsibility. We have three members on the Finance Committee and has direct input on the budget development process.