Budget Update
Last Wednesday, the Superintendent and CFO presented a summary of their proposed FY2013 budget to the Budget Committee. Here are links to the documents that were presented:
Budget Cover Letter
Budget Detail
Budget Summary
There will be two public budget hearings:
Last Wednesday, the Superintendent and CFO presented a summary of their proposed FY2013 budget to the Budget Committee. Here are links to the documents that were presented:
Budget Cover Letter
Budget Detail
Budget Summary
There will be two public budget hearings:
Tuesday, May 22nd at 6pm
Wednesday, May 30th at 6pm
Administrative and Instructional Complex
1701 Stone Mountain Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Administrative and Instructional Complex
1701 Stone Mountain Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Please
note that this proposal was drafted by staff for the Board and is a starting
point for our budget discussions. For the past year, I have publicly
inquired about, and expressed my frustration with, many line items that were
significantly over budget. Their consistent variances from the budget suggested
that these items were not properly budgeted for years. Still other
discretionary items were also over-budget because of a lack of fiscal
restraint. These factors, along with a $15 million increase in benefit
costs from the state, and falling property tax revenue have resulted in DCSD
starting the budgeting process assuming a $73.8 million budget deficit.
The new Superintendent and CFO have also recognized the budget problems that I have pointed out consistently since before they arrived in DeKalb. Their new budget has approached the fixed costs realistically. The Superintendent has reorganized the central office and eliminated many positions there. (I await her final tally regarding the number of positions. When I have these numbers, I will share them with you.) In my opinion we need to make even further cuts to the central office. We will need to take a hard look at all of our services and programs. We also need to usher in a culture of fiscal restraint. I have shared my thoughts about this publicly at meetings and privately with the new leadership team. While it is true that DeKalb's millage rate has not been raised in 8 years, it is also the highest in the metro area. ( Click here for a listing of millage rates from around the state.) Sadly the opportunity to build greater reserves when the property tax base was expanding was not taken.
The new Superintendent and CFO have also recognized the budget problems that I have pointed out consistently since before they arrived in DeKalb. Their new budget has approached the fixed costs realistically. The Superintendent has reorganized the central office and eliminated many positions there. (I await her final tally regarding the number of positions. When I have these numbers, I will share them with you.) In my opinion we need to make even further cuts to the central office. We will need to take a hard look at all of our services and programs. We also need to usher in a culture of fiscal restraint. I have shared my thoughts about this publicly at meetings and privately with the new leadership team. While it is true that DeKalb's millage rate has not been raised in 8 years, it is also the highest in the metro area. ( Click here for a listing of millage rates from around the state.) Sadly the opportunity to build greater reserves when the property tax base was expanding was not taken.
SPLOST IV
On
Thursday, May 17th, the Superintendent and COO provided an overview of their
planning for the upcoming SPLOST IV program. Below are links to the
documents that were presented to the Board.
SPLOST IV OverviewPresentation
SPLOST IV Schedule
SPLOST IV OverviewPresentation
SPLOST IV Schedule
New tab on my website
I've
added a new tab on my website called "What's Up With That?".
It's an interactive blog where I'll put up common questions that I receive
along with my answers. You can also leave your comments. If you
have something that you think might be a good topic for the blog, please drop
me a line at:
nancyjester@gmail.com
www.nancyjester.com
678.360.1148
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