In talking with a couple of NB BOE members I have learned that they have never seen a true, line item budget to study, the kind of budget document that shows how money appropriated to run the schools is being spent. On the other hand, each member of the Common Council has at their disposal, three separate , line item (detailed) budget books with numbered accounts that show where money is spent by each department.
The budget book from the school district that BOE members receive is a narrative thing, a fictional "account" of where the money goes. Yet, tonight, the BOE members are scheduled to meet the Common Council to discuss the BOE budget. It is June 8th folks, the Council must adopt "their" budget by June 14th." What new information can the BOE members offer to the Council? Nothing, because they know little about the Education budget! They know only what administration officials tell them. Forty kids in classrooms, etc. I have seen this "dog and pony show" before. I don't need a reprise.
The Herald front page headline says, 135 teachers to go. What it doesn't say is, new Communications Director hired for Dr. Kurtz at over $70K or, new Financial Officer hired at well over $115 K - to write another fictional budget for NB schools? Where are the sacrifices offered by the education department unions this year? Only token sacrifices by administrators. But city taxpayers must be made to sacrifice so that Council Democrats can "give" an additional $3 million to the schools. NO THANKS! " The taxpayers of New Britain say, "enough is enough."
As a taxpayer, I couldn't care less if they lay off 135, 200, 300, 400 teachers. It means nothing to me, but these ever increasing tax bills certainly do.
In talking with a couple of NB BOE members I have learned that they have never seen a true, line item budget to study, the kind of budget document that shows how money appropriated to run the schools is being spent.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, each member of the Common Council has at their disposal, three separate , line item (detailed) budget books with numbered accounts that show where money is spent by each department.
The budget book from the school district that BOE members receive is a narrative thing, a fictional "account" of where the money goes.
Yet, tonight, the BOE members are scheduled to meet the Common Council to discuss the BOE budget. It is June 8th folks, the Council must adopt "their" budget by June 14th." What new information can the BOE members offer to the Council? Nothing, because they know little about the Education budget! They know only what administration officials tell them. Forty kids in classrooms, etc. I have seen this "dog and pony show" before. I don't need a reprise.
The Herald front page headline says, 135 teachers to go. What it doesn't say is, new Communications Director hired for Dr. Kurtz at over $70K or, new Financial Officer hired at well over $115 K - to write another fictional budget for NB schools? Where are the sacrifices offered by the education department unions this year? Only token sacrifices by administrators. But city taxpayers must be made to sacrifice so that Council Democrats can "give" an additional $3 million to the schools.
NO THANKS! " The taxpayers of New Britain say, "enough is enough."
As a taxpayer, I couldn't care less if they lay off 135, 200, 300, 400 teachers. It means nothing to me, but these ever increasing tax bills certainly do.
ReplyDeleteLou,
ReplyDeleteThe council shouldn't approve one thin dime in funding for the BOE until they fork over the information.
This is ridiculous that they are being able to operate in complete secrecy, especially since it is our money they are spending!
What I would call 135 is a good start, but not enough.
ReplyDelete