The information on this site will be updated periodically as we refine projections and gather input from the School Board and the administrators associated with the various aspects of the budget.  The navigation bar to the left can be used to view many reports and graphs produced while assembling the budget.  Just click on the links and view the reports.  In addition, we have added a tax calculator to help you get an idea what your tax bill might look like.  We have also made our budget calendar available so that you can find when the board will be presented with, and discuss, the different parts of the budget.

The 2003-04 budget is being assembled in an effort to strike a balance between the funding for the educational needs of our students and the ability of the community to supply the necessary financial support.  This budget should fairly represent the anticipated revenue from various sources as well as the funding needed to continue the academic programs proposed by the District's administration and supported by our School Board.

In general, the revenues are classified by the source of the funding.  Local Revenues represent money brought into the district through activities such as Real Estate and Interim Taxes, Wage Taxes, Interest Earnings and Rentals.  State Revenues include state-funded subsidies for Basic Education, Special Education, Transportation and Health Services as well as partial reimbursement for certain benefits and building costs borne by the district.  Revenue from the Federal Government includes funding for various programs that benefit early childhood education, and education directed at reading, math and science.

The expenditure side of our budget has been broken down into various segments or categories to aid in assigning responsibility and accountability.  Generally, these categories fall into the following general areas: Building Level Categories, Administrative Functional Categories, Grants and Programs, Debt Service, and Personnel Costs.

 Preparing the budget for a school district of our size can be a formidable task.  It involves projecting not only what we plan on spending, but also what we plan on receiving in revenues.  In an effort to ensure accuracy and to prevent large surprises, we have developed a budget calendar that enables us to tackle the budgeting process in stages.  When approached in this orderly fashion, it is possible to maximize accuracy while keeping the school board informed and involved.  The work begins in early November as general guidelines and limits are discussed for sections of the budget.  In early December, spending limits are communicated to the administrators in charge of Building Level and Administrative Functional Levels.  These administrators are charged with the responsibility of determining how they need to spend their funds in order to effectively and efficiently meet their prescribed goals.  In this manner, the budgets are effectively site based in nature with the people most affected and responsible making the decisions on where they think the money will be best spent.