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School district holds itself accountableBy Barbara Brown The board, which called a special meeting to address the accountability statement and discuss referendum issues, voted unanimously to accept the document that can be used as a promise to voters about how the school board will approach the coming yearsí budgets. The board will come to voters soon with more information on the referendum questions they will see on their Nov. 4 ballots. The district is asking for two operating levies in the referendum. The first question would equal about $164 for the first year in additional taxes for a $150,000 house. The tax amount would drop to about $143 on a $150,000 house for the second year of the five year referendum. The second question would allow the district to set aside funding for technological advances in the schools. The approved accountability statement reads as follows: ěAs the school board of the North Branch School District, we are asking local taxpayers to make a long-term commitment to the children of our district by encouraging consideration for each referendum ballot question. In recognition of this commitment, the board and administration have established the following accountability commitment as a promise to the community. ěTo spend funds from the operating levy in Question #1 to balance the budget and reduce the need for budget cuts for the 2004-2005 school year ěTo spend funds from the operating levy in Question #2 to purchase computers and other technology for schools and classrooms, and other technology support ěTo maintain adequate budget reserves that can be used to cover unexpected expenses and/or to balance the annual budget ěTo continue to allocate funds that work toward improving student achievement ěTo communicate information about the proposed referendum, including descriptions of each ballot question, the need for additional funds, cost to local taxpayers and major areas to be considered for budget cuts if Question #1 is not approved ěTo make any and all necessary budget reductions in order to balance the budget if the referendum questions are not approved ěTo report to the community on a regular basis on the districtís financial condition and the need for future operating levies.î ©ECM Post Review |