Say that three times fast -In a recent blog I shared my experience serving on the Chula Vista Elementary School District's Budget Advisory Committee (BAC). The Union Tribune ran a story and I had a nice conversation with a district representative.
Bottom line: The public input process will improve at the district.
News story on pink slips issued that were a far greater number than the BAC had recommended.
Why? The district must send out pink slips by March 15. Since the budget is never known that early, the district sends out pink slips which are based on the absolute worst-case scenario.
Should the district have informed the BAC this action had been taken and why it was taken PRIOR to receiving the BAC’s recommendation? Yes. There really is no point of contention here, it’s a logical explanation that would prevented any misunderstanding about the budget process.
BAC spent five meetings and many more conversations with our School Site Councils to come to agreement on a prioritized list of budget reductions, with specific language added to each recommendation. This document served to “advise” the Board about the public’s budgetary priorities for consideration when creating the district’s budget. The document was never part of the Board meeting, but instead was summarized in four bullet points. No prioritized list, no additional language and open to debate on whether it was an accurate summary of the BACs recommendation.
Why? I was told that board members do receive the document after the BAC approves it, but it has never been included in the agenda for the public meeting of the board when they consider the budget. The district assures me this will change next year. This change was the crux of my concern.
The work of the BAC is the district’s formal public input process for their budget. Without including the priorities of the public, including specific language considerations, there is no meaningful public input and no way to hold our leaders accountable for their consideration of public input.
This is a disservice to the Board, the public, the district and most importantly the students.
My last word ...
Sharing my experience was not intended to be a dig at the district or anti-government banter.. The intent was to model how an individual can be involved.
News story on pink slips issued that were a far greater number than the BAC had recommended.
Why? The district must send out pink slips by March 15. Since the budget is never known that early, the district sends out pink slips which are based on the absolute worst-case scenario.
Should the district have informed the BAC this action had been taken and why it was taken PRIOR to receiving the BAC’s recommendation? Yes. There really is no point of contention here, it’s a logical explanation that would prevented any misunderstanding about the budget process.
BAC spent five meetings and many more conversations with our School Site Councils to come to agreement on a prioritized list of budget reductions, with specific language added to each recommendation. This document served to “advise” the Board about the public’s budgetary priorities for consideration when creating the district’s budget. The document was never part of the Board meeting, but instead was summarized in four bullet points. No prioritized list, no additional language and open to debate on whether it was an accurate summary of the BACs recommendation.
Why? I was told that board members do receive the document after the BAC approves it, but it has never been included in the agenda for the public meeting of the board when they consider the budget. The district assures me this will change next year. This change was the crux of my concern.
The work of the BAC is the district’s formal public input process for their budget. Without including the priorities of the public, including specific language considerations, there is no meaningful public input and no way to hold our leaders accountable for their consideration of public input.
This is a disservice to the Board, the public, the district and most importantly the students.
My last word ...
Sharing my experience was not intended to be a dig at the district or anti-government banter.. The intent was to model how an individual can be involved.
Since a problem with the process was identified, it has been a great example of how public knowledge can empower public input ---- resulting in a better process ---- which benefits you, me, our children and our community.
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