SB Canceled July 9 BOE Mtg, Set Annual Meeting/Budget Hearing for Sept. 24
The New Berlin School Board usually meets twice a month, typically on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. (Conveys the District of New Berlin website)
FYI: Last month, the School Board canceled the July 9 meeting (2nd Monday of the month).
Surely there are significant things happening in the District or affecting it, to discuss or report on, such as: The exodus of staff, employee turnover. The Glen Park School closure and other changes that will impact students and the District. The projected $962,162 drop in general state aid. The District budget for 2012-13. Wisconsin’s waiver from certain requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Law
Why was the Board meeting canceled? Is administration and school board on vacation, or what?
It appears only one regular NB School Board meeting will be held this month—and it won't be until July 23.
What about the District's Annual Meeting/Budget Hearing? For years, they've been held in July, including July 25, 2011; July 26, 2010; July 27, 2009; July 28, 2008; July 23, 2007; July 24, 2006.
But not this year.
At the 2011 Annual Meeting, District Finance Director Roger Dickson requested that instead of the electors setting a date for the next Annual Meeting, they authorize the school board to determine the 2012 Annual Meeting date between May 15 and October 31, 2012 “to give flexibility”.
"Between May 15 and Oct. 31" is quite a wide range. Why the sudden need for all this “flexibility”? Did it have anything to do with Scott Walker being elected governor in November 2010 and having a Republican-controlled State Legislature?
Last month, the School Board set September 24 as the date for the 2012 Annual Meeting/Budget Hearing .
Why is the Annual Meeting/Budget Hearing being held two months later than usual?
Is it due to District turmoil and uncertainty?
Did District administration anticipate difficulties producing an educationally sound and balanced budget?
Will they be unveiling their preliminary 2012-13 budget soon? Will it get the support of all the school board members?
In past years, the NB School Board would have already discussed and approved a budget by now.
The District's fiscal year starts on July 1.
Sure, Gov. Walker’s biennial budget slashed local school funding and prevented them from making it up by raising taxes. But didn’t Walker claim his “reforms” gave schools and local governments the “tools” to help them?
According to preliminary estimates released by the Department of Public Instruction on June 29, 2012, the New Berlin School District will get $960,162 less general state aid this year than last year.
The School District of New Berlin’s 2012 Annual Meeting/Budget Hearing will be held at 7 p.m on September 24 at New Berlin West School.
