Got budget-balancing ideas? Tell the School District
WEST PALM BEACH — The School District of Palm Beach County’s fiscal 2012 budget (7/1/2011 – 6/30/2012) could be short — to the tune of about $100 million, school officials have said.
Actual figures will not be known until the Florida Legislature approves the state’s budget, including K-12 education appropriations.
In the meantime, the School District is looking for the public’s help, with ideas and proposals on how to balance the budget despite the anticipated shortfall.
Development of the FY 2012 budget faces many funding challenges – from the loss of $98.7 million in federal stimulus funding and the increased cost of complying with the class size reduction amendment at the classroom-by-classroom level to a poor economic forecast at the state level which could result in further reductions to education funding.
School districts are funded on a “per-student” basis through a state formula known as the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). The Legislature is expected to approve a budget and conclude their regular 2011 session on May 6, 2011.
By law, each school district must adopt a balanced budget, that is, revenues plus beginning fund balance must equal appropriations. School district budget deliberations are ongoing with tentative budget approval scheduled for Wednesday, July 27.
Students, parents, employees and members of the community who have suggestions to help maintain a balanced budget in the School District of Palm Beach County may submit them through a new on-line survey. To submit your ideas, go to www.palmbeachschools.org and click on the banner at the top of the page, “Give Us Your Suggestions on the District’s Budget.” The survey will be available through August 2011.
Suggestions generated through the survey will be reviewed and presented to the School Board in subsequent budget workshops. Adoption of the final FY2012 budget by the School Board is scheduled for Wednesday, September 14.
For additional details about the district’s budget, go to: www.palmbeachschools.org/budget/BudgetDevelopment.asp
