Proposed spending plan restores full school year, holds the line on class sizes, expands counseling support, prepares for future years
4J superintendent Dr. Gustavo Balderas has presented his proposed budget, setting in motion the budget process for the 2016–17 school year.
The superintendent’s proposed budget seeks to strengthen the foundation of educational services for students and provide stability for future years with a sustainable, balanced and fiscally responsible spending plan focused on the classroom and supports for students.
The proposed general fund budget for fiscal year 2016–17 is $179.2 million, an increase of $8.5 million over 2015–16. Improving economic conditions will help the district make targeted investments to support student learning, balance growing costs and prepare for future years.
The preliminary budget proposal:
- Restores a full school year, the first since 2008–09
- Holds the line on class sizes, keeping staffing ratios steady and setting aside resources to balance some class sizes in the fall
- Provides counseling support at elementary schools
- Bolsters music and physical education for elementary students and preparation time for elementary teachers
- Plans ahead to balance growing costs and projected deficits in future years
The superintendent presented the proposed budget to the district’s budget committee on May 2. After a series of public meetings, the school board will adopt a final budget on June 14.
Key dates include:
Monday, May 2 – Superintendent and financial services staff present 2016–17 proposed budget to budget committee
Monday, May 9 – Budget committee holds a work session on the budget
Monday, May 16 – Budget committee meets to complete work on the 2016–17 budget, vote to approve the budget and declare the tax rates and debt service levy
Wednesday, June 1 – School board holds a public hearing on the budget approved by the budget committee, considers adoption of the budget as an item for future action
Tuesday, June 14 – School board votes to adopt the budget
