This is critical. We need to demand accountability from the budget committee. This is the most vague, opaque, difficult to navigate area of the school system - and they are fiddling with over a BILLION dollars of your tax money! They need to KNOW that we are watching!
Sign up to speak and attend the BUDGET HEARING tomorrow evening -
4/27/2011 - 6:00 PM -
DeKalb Board of Education Public Budget Hearing Board Meeting
J. David Williamson Board Room, Administrative & Instructional Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard
Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
Ask one of the following questions or write up your own:
How exactly is FTE funding calculated?
What is the difference between the old system and the new "STAR" system of points allocation?
How closely are you tracking gifted points? Are students who EARN the gifted points receiving the appropriate services?
How much more do our "special" or "magnet" programs really cost?
Why are we unable to claim all that is due us from the state - as Gwinnett does?
Why is our budget so difficult to comprehend? Why can't it be simplified and published online?
Which pot of money pays for attorney's fees? We are told that EVERY BUDGET has legal fees embedded (buried) in it. THAT IS WRONG! As taxpayers, we have a right to know exactly how much is being spent on attorneys and why. And, can we please calculate exactly how much we are spending to maintain TWO separate in-house counsels?
When can we expect to have the Check Register published online as is the current trend with all fiscally transparent and unafraid school systems?
Add your own in the comments and bring them to the meeting - but even if you don't plan to speak, please try to attend. Take notes. Share what you learn on the blog on Thursday. We need everyone possible to pay attention to these budget hearings.
