On this page you may read a copy of the proposed budget, view presentations made at previous budget-related  meetings, see key dates in the budget process, and access other budget information.

FY 2015-16 Preliminary Budget

The FY 2015-16 preliminary budget is now available online. The preliminary budget proposes maximum expenditures of $530,981,624.

As Superintendent Ahart notes in his cover letter to the FY 2015-16 preliminary budget, “This budget is presented with several significant unknowns at this point in the budget process. We have planned our budget relying on some very significant items. Specifically, at this time, the level of State funding, the largest source of General Fund revenues, has not been set by the Legislature … Even amidst these uncertainties, I am optimistic about the direction of the District. Key measures of the work of this District, from proficiency to graduation, are moving in the right direction. The budget presented focuses on continuing these trends while focusing on things that contribute to success in the classroom for all students.”

You may download a PDF of the document by clicking here or on the image above, or scroll to the bottom to see it embedded on this page.

Budget Parameters

On November 18, 2014 the School Board adopted the following as parameters in establishing the school district’s budget for FY 2015-16:

• Meet and stay within Board Management Limitations.
• Maintain financial heath; provide a balanced budget.
• Keep District Student Expectations and Board Beliefs at the forefront.
• Review status of all levies; make strategic adjustments as needed.
• Seek input from the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) on budget issues.
• Seek input from the Employees’ Budget Advisory Committee (EBAC) on budget issues.
• Continue to seek operational efficiencies and improve operational effectiveness.
• Continue to focus on drop-out prevention and graduation rate improvement strategies.
• Focus on strategies to close the achievement gap.
• Improve English Language Learners (ELL) programming.
• Continue to assess needs and evaluate programming to:

1. Create innovative programs to meet unmet needs.
2. Maintain or grow programs that are demonstrating success.
3. Strategically abandon programs that do not demonstrate value.
4. Assess and address curriculum needs and program delivery as needed to stay ahead of advances in technology and digital content.

Presentations

The following are presentations made by the school district’s Chief Financial Officer to the School Board at various points during the budget process:

• Tuesday, March 10, 2015: Preliminary Budget Presented
• Friday, March 6, 2015: Preliminary Budget Released
• Tuesday, February 17, 2015: Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee Recommendations
• Tuesday, February 17, 2015: Employees’ Budget Advisory Committee Recommendations

Budget Advisory Committees

The Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee and the Employees’ Budget Advisory Committee prepare recommendations for the School Board to consider in the FY2014-15 budget process. Their recommendations to the Board are as follows:

• Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee
• Employees’ Budget Advisory Committee

Key Dates

The following are budget-related meetings, both past and upcoming. Please note that dates are subject to change.

Tuesday, April 15, 2015
Statutory deadline to submit FY 2014-15 budget

Thursday, April 2, 2015 – 6:30 PM
Public Budget Forum
Central Campus – Community Room

Saturday, March 28, 2015 – 9:00 AM
Public Budget Forum
Operations Center – 1917 Dean Avenue

Tuesday, March 10, 2015 – 6:00 PM
School Board Meeting
Preliminary Budget Released
Central Campus – Community Room

Tuesday, February 17, 2015 – 6:00 PM
School Board Meeting
CBAC/EBAC Recommendations Presented
Central Campus – Community Room

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