District 34’s Board of Education initiated a strategic budgeting process in the summer of 2011 as it works to address a budget shortfall. During the 2010-11 fiscal year, the District deficit spent by $400,000. Projections show the District’s expenditures will continue to outpace revenues for the foreseeable future without either expenditure reductions or revenue enhancements. During this fiscal year, the District deficit is projected to be approximately $2.5 million.

The strategic budgeting process includes several steps and an opportunity for staff and community input.

Step 1. BAAC - COMPLETED

The Budget Alignment Advisory Committee was charged with establishing relative values for identified costs compared to other identified costs; the charge did not include recommending budget cuts or cost reductions. BAAC has reported its findings to the Board of Education on December 5, 2011. The full report is available, which includes an executive summary.

Step 2. CFAC - COMPLETED

The Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC) completed its work on financial projections for the future and reported to the Board of Education on Thursday, January 12, 2012. This report determined the specific deficit the District is facing now and in the future.

Step 3. INITIAL SCENARIO DEVELOPMENT - COMPLETED

Based upon the information reported gather from BAAC and CFAC, administrators created an initial scenario and additional scenario considerations. The development of the potential changes relied heavily on both the BAAC and CFAC reports. This information was presented to the Board of Education on Monday, February 6, 2012.

Step 4. COMMUNITY/STAFF FEEDBACK - COMPLETED

The District held feedback sessions about the initial scenario and additional scenario considerations.

Initial scenario and additional scenario considerations en espanol.

Step 5. BOARD DECISION

Administration will take the feedback gathered and share that with the Board of Education at 8 p.m. on Monday, February 27 at Westrbrook School, 1333 Greenwood Road.

A final recommendation will be presented at the Monday, March 5, 2012 meeting at 8 p.m. That meeting will be at Westbrook School, 1333 Greenwood Road.

The Board will make a decision on the future direction related to strategic budgeting at its Monday, March 19 , 2012, meeting at 8 p.m. That meeting will be at Westbrook School, 1333 Greenwood Road.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS