Friday, May 30, 2008

More override news

Curt Brown at the Standard Times has more on his blog on a movement to ask for an override on the November ballot. Mr Michaud is quoted as saying ...

... money could be transferred from the Reserve account to fund textbooks and technology at the schools ahead of a November override question. This idea flies in the face of the policy adopted by the Select Board and Finance Committee last year that one time revenue would not be used to fund continuing operations. This policy was adopted from the state Department of Revenue recommendations to the town last year. In fairness to Mr. Michaud, he states this is all in the talking stage, no definite proposals have been formulated.
This Reserve fund transfer and override idea sounds similar to one I have previously addressed here I still think it is a bad idea. The school department is going to be funded at minimum required net school spending for the foreseeable future. I believe that the needs for textbooks and technology must to be funded before lower priority items. I don't think the recently presented school budget addresses the needs for books and computers. If the school department doesn't think it is critical enough to fund in their budget, why should taxpayers feel it is important enough to warrant an override tax increase? It comes down to a question of priorities. I have posted about that here and here.
What are your thoughts? Has the school department adequately addressed the need for books and computers in their budget for next year?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Textbooks and technology should be in the budget to fulfill the needs for replacement books and upgrades to tech. every year. The S.C. & Dr. Russell should have a good idea of the amount needed & this should be a #1 priority.
Why is it that they did not budget enough? Now they want the taxpayers to come up with more money. Not a good practice. Books/technology come first in the school budget. Maybe next year they will change the amount to be a more realistic one.

Anonymous said...

I recommend you all get a copy of the textbook needs from 08-12, then scratch your heads and put em together. Find revenue.