Two emails to the School Board

From Adm to the Board:

10-11 Budget Update
kathleen a. kaufman
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 6:55 PM
To:
ISD709
From Bill Hanson, Director of Business Services:
Our district strives to be open, transparent and share information as best we’re able. That means at times you may receive information that is in draft form and subject to change. Thank you for your patience as we work through this process.
As you know, revenues for the current fiscal year are projected to be about $1.1 million less than budgeted.
Through the District’s Quality Steering Committee and labor-management process, which includes representation from the Duluth Federation of Teachers, Principals Union, District Administration and School Board, the District is addressing the prospect of making a mid-year financial correction to reduce expenses.
During the 12/13 Business Committee meeting, it was recommended that the School Board move forward to address part of the budget shortfall in January 2011, and address the rest through the 2011-12 budget planning process over the next few months.
That means some reductions would take place in January, others would take place at the beginning of the next fiscal year in July 2011.
Administration is currently working through the labor-management process to identify reductions. They include the possibility of leaving open positions unfilled, postponing purchases, voluntary unpaid furloughs for district level staff, and possible layoffs.
We expect to firm up reductions of up to $500,000 prior to the December 21 regular school board meeting and will continue to provide updates to you as information becomes available.

From a Citizen to the Board:

$1,000,000 budget shortfall
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 11:31 PM To: School Board

This should not have been unexpected or a surprise. What do you expect after having insulted the voters by not letting them vote on the building program? You chose bricks and mortar instead of teaching as your first priority. Taxpayers do not have unlimited funds and there were other pressing financial matters in the City facing taxpayers as well which were not taken into account by the Board.

Instead of just looking for places to cut expenses, each Board Member should get off their duffs and be out recruiting the families who have left the system, or is that beyond the effort you wish to make?

TC
Duluth, MN