1. How Can Parents Be Assured that the MMSD Budget Process Reflects Their Educational Priorities?
Discussion Presentation to the MMSD School Board
Finance and Operations Committee
January 21, 2003 by
Jane Doughty and Barbara Schrank
Parents

2. How Can Parents Be Assured that the MMSD Budget Process Reflects Their Educational Priorities?
Will the School Board:
Develop a clearly detailed, publicly accessible budget process - When?
Separate policy and budget issues - How?
C. Involve the public throughout the budget process – How and When?
So that if budget changes (additions/cuts) are needed, parents can feel confident that the process was rigorous, objective and open?

3. A. Will the MMSD School Board Develop a Clearly Detailed, Publicly Accessible Budget Process?
When Will the School Board Identify and Finalize:
Budget Goals and Objectives?
What are they for this year’s process?
How will items in the budget be clearly linked to District/Board goals and priorities so the public knows what is being proposed and what it will cost?
A Detailed Timeline – including Critical Decision Points, Public Input?
When will this be completed and made available to the public for their information / comment?

4. A. Will the MMSD School Board Develop a Clearly Detailed, Publicly Accessible Budget Process? (cont’d)
Committee/Board Roles & Responsibilities
What are the goals and objectives for each Board Committee in the budget process?
When will each Board Committee have a timeline with Goals and Objectives, Tasks, Decisions related to the budget development process developed and available for the public?

5. B. Will the MMSD School Board Separate Policy And Budget Issues?
How does the School Board plan to separate policy and budget issues? For example:
Curriculum plans require board approval – how will the School Board handle this separately from the budget process (identify issues, timeline)?
Last Year’ Experience
Math Curriculum
- Other

6. C. How Will the MMSD School Board Involve The Public Throughout the Budget Process?
Will the public:
Receive succinctly written summaries with meaningful information – electronically or paper?
Be able to participate in public hearings / formal and informal workshops earlier in the budget process?
Other?

7. Suggestions For Consideration
Work with representatives from key parent / public groups to develop the budget process and include them all along.
Publish finalized budget goals and objectives, criteria, tasks, timelines for the full board & its committees – backpack mail, MMSD website.
Develop Budget Scenarios Earlier in the Budget Process.
Make corrections to Virchow / Krause report (other documents) prior to use in budget process.
Use a variety of tools that can gather meaningful input in a timely manner – focus groups, public “working” workshops.