Colarossi and Haynie Scrutinize Budget

Board Members Steve Colarossi and Sue Haynie are doing what voters elected them to do.  They are going through next year's proposed $155 million operating budget line-by-line and asking a lot of questions.

At last Thursday's Finance Committee, Mr. Colarossi, chair of the committee, reviewed a list of questions that he had presented to Dan Cook, Interim CFO. Ms. Haynie had her own list of 40 questions, for Mr. Cook.  (See below for the entire list of questions and answers).

In addition to answering the questions, Dr. Cook is looking into a list of "open issues" and potential areas for savings, including the number of reserve teachers, legal fees and teacher turnover.  The Finance Committe will be reviewing these open items at future meetings.

In an email to NorwalkNet, Mr. Colarossi said:

First, we do need to review it line-by-line to be certain that duplicative costs and excessive increases are noted, explained and corrected.

Secondly, we need to be certain that all essential student programs and critical operational functions are sufficiently and fairly funded.  This analysis requires a more broad examination of the budget document and discussions with school principals and department heads, with important input being provided from our parents, students, teachers and staff.

Thirdly, we need to appreciate that the budget contains important policy implications which need to be addressed in conjunction with the needs and expectations of our community....

The goal is that, by the time we have our final budget cap set, we will have a good sense of what our actual needs are and how we might make the budget cuts which are required in non-essential areas.  At that time, the public will have been given the same information that is being shared with the members of the Finance Committee (and the entire Board) and we will be able to collectively work on the solutions that are needed. 

A reminder that the BOE's Communications Committee and Curriculum Committe will meeting this evening at 6pm and 7pm, respectively.
Steven Colarossi Budget q

Sue Haynie Budget Questions