In the Race
Now, here, you see, it takes all the blogging I can do to keep in the same place.
If I want to get somewhere else, I must blog twice as fast as that!
You see, I'm in
the Red Queen's Race...
Franklin School Board Meeting 07/23/08
By Janet Evans
Monday, Jul 28 2008, 09:09 PM
I attended the Franklin School Board meeting last Wednesday, 7/23/08. I have already mentioned that during citizen comment period I brought forth the fact that New Berlin School Board meetings are being webcast and that it would be nice for our district to look into something like this. I also commented on the following Board Goal:
Revisit Budget Process
Franklin residents expect that the school district will provide a quality education for all of its students. They also expect that the board and the district will be good stewards of the tax dollar. Many residents are concerned about the rising tax rate and expect the district to address their concerns. The board wants to take a new approach towards budgeting. It expects the administration to explore strategic abandonment of programs and budgeted items that are no longer needed. The district must look for cost savings in all areas, but place student achievement as the number one priority for new expenditures. The board wants to have more discussions of the budget and seek community input on what non-mandated elements of the budget it will support. Budget documents must be user-friendly and presentations must be understandable to the taxpayer.
At the last Board Meeting, Linda Witkowski had been trying to bring forth some suggestions to improve budget documents for citizens, and she was repeatedly shot down. The last line of the Goal is exactly what Linda Witkowski was attempting to do. Also, nowhere in the Budget Draft does it clearly state that the proposed Tax Levy is 3.9%. The last page of the draft has it broken down over a three year period. But it is not clearly stated for the citizens what the proposed property tax levy will be…which is the main issue the taxpayers want to know. They shouldn’t have to calculate it…just state it.
On August 6th there will be a Committee of the Whole meeting where a review of Board Goals will take place. It was mentioned that proposed new Goals may be discussed. Have the current Goals really been met? Perhaps you will want to review the Goals and decide for yourself. I believe there sure have been improvements. But I think there is still work to be done. And if new Goals are going to be added…I wouldn’t add more than one until the other Goals are better achieved.
I have two highlights of the meeting for you in Podcasts. The first is the announcement and discussion of the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Electors. You will hear discussion from Dr. Patz, Mary Karolewicz, Dave Szychlinski , Linda Witkowski, Jim Milzer, and David Works. Please note that the burst of laughter you hear before Jim Milzer speaks is because as Linda Witkowski asks a question, Jim Milzer just left the area to go into a room to fix a microphone, and the question she asked was directed toward him.
The second recording is a discussion regarding the awarding of a grant for our Alternative Education Program. Paulette Kroll, Director of Pupil Services will speak about this, and you will also hear Dr. Patz. David Works, Linda Witkowski. Congratulations on applying and obtaining this Grant.
Listen to the Podcasts HERE
