|  | Saint Paul Public Schools to hold community forum on 2003-04 budget
2/13/2003 11:30 AMSaint Paul Public Schools will hold a community forum on the 2003-04 school district budget from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Johnson Senior High School, 1349 Arcade St., Saint Paul.
The forum will begin with a presentation on the school district’s current financial status, followed by small-group breakout sessions, where attendees and school district representatives will discuss programs and services critical to student achievement, as well as ideas for setting next year’s budget priorities.
By law, Saint Paul Public Schools must set its budget by June 30 even if the Minnesota Legislature has not acted on the state budget, which directly impacts the amount of funding the school district receives. Because Saint Paul voters approved a school levy last November, the school district will have a balanced budget in 2003-04 if the legislature does not change its current funding formulas. However, given the state’s multi-billion dollar deficit, school principals and district leaders are preparing for several scenarios, including budget reductions.
According to Lois Rockney, executive director of Business and Financial Affairs, this meeting is an opportunity for the public to become engaged in the budget process early and have significant input into any changes that are made.
“Given the financial condition that Minnesota finds itself in, we will need to be even more creative with our resources next year,” said Rockney. “It’s important that the public take an active role in helping us identify programs and services that have the most value to students and the community.”
To make the event as accessible as possible, the Family and Community Involvement Office, which is sponsoring the event, is providing interpreters and free child care.
|
