Communications Questions
March 19, 2010
How can we help? What avenues are available for targeting external funds to specific schools, programs and even for saving teaching positions?
There are links on the DPS Budget Website to state legislators who represent Durham and to the county commissioners (Look under the Elected Officials heading). Also the County Commissioners have two input sessions where they invite the public to comment on the budget. These Conversations with Commissioners sessions are Tuesday, March 23, at 7 pm at Holton Career and Resource Center, 401 N. Driver, and Tuesday, March 30, at 7 pm at Jordan High School, 6806 Garrett Road.
March 10, 2010
I attended the PTA President's budget session with Mr. Hurd this evening. Just to clarify, will the Superintendent and the Board of Education develop two budget plans for 2010? I.e., An optimistic budget that includes the extra $4 million and a less optimistic budget that reflects the minimum level of funding. At exactly what point in time (on what date) will the County Commissioners make their funding decision? How quickly will the Superintendent and the Board of Education be able to react if the $4 million is not provided or if the request is only partially funded? Thank you for the additional clarification.
The Supt will present a budget to the Board of Education on April 29. The Board will hold a public hearing and could make changes to that budget before submitting the DPS Board of Education budget request to the Durham County Board of Commissioners in late May or early June. The County Commissioners must decide on their budget by June 30. The Interim Superintendent and Board of Education have not decided what the budget will include at this point. The possibility of asking for $4 million in one-time funds to save teaching positions is one idea that is being considered. Regarding how quickly the Superintendent and Board will be able to react to the Commissioners’ budget decision, the Board and Superintendent are discussing how to cut up to almost $20 million in state and local funds so we will be prepared if the commissioners do not provide additional funds.
March 3, 2010
How can parents help make a case to Durham County to be as generous as they can possibly be with the DPS budget?
It has been reported that the Durham County Commissioners will hold budget sessions in the community in addition to a public hearing on the budget. Watch the Commissioner’s Website for information on these dates at http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/bocc/ Of course, you can always contact commissioners—links to their email addresses are online at http://www.durhamcountync.gov/departments/bocc/Commissioners.html
What chance do we have of actually changing the amount that they take from DPS? Clearly the state just appropriated the "education lottery" funds without anyone being able to stop them. And if they must take money from DPS, can we prioritize that loss so that it impacts administrative areas more than instructional ones (the actual on-the-ground school zones)?
State education associations, DPS, individual employees and parents already are talking about education funds with legislators. And, until a state budget is passed this summer, legislators still need to hear from parents and other taxpayers regarding priorities for funding. Regarding prioritizing losses, that is being done, however, when the bulk of the schools’ budget is in staff, there will have to be some cuts at the school level.
