October 28, 2004
Bridgewater
Raynham
Easton
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Bridgewater-Raynham Schools
Massachusetts
USA
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Opinion/Analysis
Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
Single: During the discusion on budgets, Susan O'Brien brought up the issue of having numbers (budgets & actuals) available to the school level. This would allow for an in-depth understanding of where money is spent. Susan spoke about a report from another school district that was published on the internet - for all to read and review. {I have brought this up on numerous occassions, and am pleased that someone else on the Committee now also recognizes the value this would bring.}
Strike-out: The updated budget document was distributed to Committee members at the beginning of the meeting. The discussion on the topic occurred 45 minutes later. Even allowing for a few minutes to glance at the information, we all had very little time to comprehend the numbers. Incidentally, most would call a budget something that details the income and expense line items. What we got was more of a summary document as there was no explanation nor backup to describe the $44,838,685 as the Total Budget. I tried to have the Budget Committee review the document and report back, especially since there were many changes from the previous version - 9 out of 10 items for estimated receipts had different numbers from the previous version. However, over my objection, this document was accepted.
Double: The Superintendent surpised me, and I will assume the other School Committee members when he announced that beginning next month, we will all begin receiving line item budgets with actuals. (Asst. Supt. George Guasconi warned us all that some numbers for actuals may not move once January rolls around since some accounts may be frozen.) Since this is something that I have championed for, this will be classified as a double, driving in a run. If we got the report last night, perhaps this would have been a home run. However, I am encouraged that progress is being made in providing factual dollars and numbers to the School Committee and the community.
