Can it be possible that we have completed nearly three-quarters of the school year?  This, plus one glance at the spring calendars in this Newsletter, convince me that we will be bidding farewell to the Class of 2008 before we know it! 

Along with May flowers, the advent of Spring means that the Board of Education is fully immersed in the budget process for next school year.  I’d like to share some insight on how this process works. 

From January through April of each school year, the BOE evaluates programs and staffing, examines expense projections for next year, and watches what is happening in Albany.  Our budgeting approach consists of four basic steps that encompass a larger comprehensive and relatively complex process.  

As a first step, the administration develops a preliminary budget based on an assessment of educational and programmatic needs while considering available resources. Secondly, the BOE reviews and discusses each budget component, requests additional information as needed, and provides focus and guidance as appropriate.  Thirdly, revenue sources (including, but not limited to, State Aid, investments, tax levy, and reserves) are continuously analyzed, reviewed, and revised. The revenue projections start with what the Governor proposes in January, and are continually revised as the Senate and Assembly hash out a final budget. (It should be noted that the final state budget is due April 1^st, but  in many years it hasn’t been finalized until weeks—or even months—later.  We must finalize our budget on April 10th regardless of what is happening in the Legislature in order to meet the timeline prescribed by educational law.)  Once our assumptions regarding revenue are finalized, we compare those with the total expenditures outlined in the draft budget.  Invariably, there is a shortfall that we must address, often with some hard choices involved, as we try to strike the right balance between our educational needs as manifested in the budget and the ability of our taxpayers to support those needs. A final budget emerges from our discussions about finding the right mix of budget reductions and the use of reserve funds and taxes to balance the equation. You are invited to attend a Board meeting to observe this process in action.

The state mandated public hearing on the 2008-2009 budget is being held on May 8^th. Voters will be asked to approve the budget on May 20th.

School Board Elections

April is also the season for school board member petitions.   Each year three people are elected to serve three year terms.  Anyone interested in running for the Board of Education can pick up a nominating petition.  In order to be on the ballot May 20th, a candidate must turn in a petition signed by 25 U.S. citizens who are residents of Canton aged 18 years or older.  Key dates are as follows:

 

 

 

Since the petition period overlaps with the school vacation, the Canton Free Library has graciously agreed to assist with this process.  Completed petitions can be returned to the District Office April 7-11 and April 21^st , or to the library April 12-21^st.    Please consider  becoming one of the 5,000 school board members in New York State. School Board service is a unique and fulfilling way to help improve your community!

 

 

CCSD District Newsletter            April-June  2008

Remaining Board of Education Meeting Dates, Times, and Topics for School Year 2007-2008

From Your School Board...

Barbara Beekman, Board President