Budget Vote: May 21, 2013 at BCHS, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Budget Planning Calendar
Please join us and offer your input on BCSD budget issues.
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March 6, 2013
BOE Meeting, 7 p.m., Budget Focus
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March 20, 2013
BOE Meeting, 7 p.m., Budget Focus
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April 17, 2013
BOE Meeting, 7 p.m., Budget Adoption
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April 23, 2013
BOE Meeting, 7 a.m., BOCES Annual Meeting
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May 8, 2013
BOE Meeting, 7 p.m., Budget Hearing
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May 21, 2013
School District Budget Vote, BCHS, 7 a.m.-9 a.m.
Community discusses bridging a $4.4 million gap
More than 200 residents meet in-person, online to discuss potential savings areas
The district has asked the community what it values most and what it can support when it comes to a Bethlehem education, and more than 200 people made their voices heard at Tuesday night's Community Budget Forum.
Community members who participated in the online forum were asked to complete a survey on the proposed cuts and the possibility of exceeding the tax levy cap. Click the above image to see the results of that survey [PDF].
"I really appreciate the level of community involvement we had Tuesday night," said Superintendent Thomas Douglas. "The discussions held that night will be very important to the district and the board as we move forward in our budgeting process."
At the beginning of the forum, Chief Budget and Financial Officer Judith Kehoe detailed the district's revenues and expenditures, and the $4.4 million budget gap that would still exist even if the community approved a maximum allowable tax levy increase of 2.72-2.98 percent.
Click here to see the slides from that presentation [PDF].
After the recap, Superintendent Thomas Douglas and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Jody Monroe rolled out a list of potential cuts or reductions that may have to be made to bridge the gap. That list included, but is not limited to, cuts in Elementary and Secondary instructional and co-curricular programs, Special Education, Athletics, Administration, Operations and Maintenance and Transportation.
"We understand that none of these potential cuts or reductions is going to be popular," said Douglas, "but to not bring them up for consideration would be irresponsible."
Facilitator's notes from Computer Lab #1.
Facilitator's notes from Computer Lab #2.
Facilitator's notes from table 1
Facilitator's notes from table 2
Facilitator's notes from tables 3 and 4.
Facilitator's notes from tables 5 and 6.
Facilitator's notes from tables 7, 8 and 9.
Click here to see a detailed list of the proposals and their impacts [PDF].
Click here for video of the meeting and budget forum,
Click here to view video of the webcasted portion of the Feb. 28 community budget forum.
Click here for the transcript of the February 28 web chat [PDF].
Click here to read more about the district's budget picture.
Understanding the new Property Tax Levy Cap
Agendas, minutes and video of previous meetings can be found here. The 2012-13 budget planning calendar can be found here.
Read Superintendent Douglas' note on becoming involved in the budget process here.