School Budget Struggles

About ten years ago, when I was writing with some intensity about the school system, several people suggested that I run for the board of education. At the time I was a part time temporary employee of HCPSS, teaching music and movement to special needs preschoolers in the RECC program. My husband was a full time employee of the school system. Running for BOE very likely would have been (or seen as) a conflict of interest. 

I also knew, deep in my heart, that I’d never make it through all those long meetings. But that’s another story altogether.

But this is not about me. After following along on Facebook last night with the BOE work session on the budget, I went to bed with some thoughts about who should be running to serve our schools. It may be too late, since candidates have already declared, but, it’s certainly not too late for the rest of us to think about it.

Do not run for the Board of Education because you have OPINIONS. Everyone has opinions. Opinions alone will not get the job done. Yes, they will inform your work, but - - do you have a clear idea of what the work is?

Ten years ago I wanted to know just one thing from BOE candidates. 

Question:

What do you think the job of a Board of Education member is? Please address the following:

1. What power does the position convey?

2. What is the best use of that power?

3. To whom is the Board of Education member responsible?

To put this in context, at the time we had a voting majority of board members who believed that their job was to do whatever the superintendent told them to do. Additionally, they felt no obligation to the voters who had elected them. The current makeup of the board is different. They are facing different challenges. I suspect, however, that some challenges remain constant. 

Passing a budget just might be one of them. It’s a huge responsibility and it’s extremely complicated. I came away from last night wondering why they don’t start working on the next’s years budget as soon as they pass the current one. (If they do: tell me and I will edit this and apologize profusely.) 

CORRECTION: Someone in a position to know was kind enough to share with me that Central Office staff start working on the budget in August (as many take vacations during July.)  Some departments are planning further ahead - - up to two years or more. My question remains - -  then why does the Board’s response to the budget give the impression of shock and surprise? 

That one I can’t answer. Nevertheless, I apologize for my error. 

Two challenges to this year’s budget planning are the new spending priorities mandated by the Blueprint legislation, and the end of pandemic monies which we have been able to tap to fill in some gaps. This puts the school system between a rock and a hard place. But both of those things were known well in advance. They weren’t shocking surprises.

Is there something that could be improved in the budget process itself so that it doesn’t feel like an annual exercise in panic and dread? I don’t know. I am the last person you would want analyzing a budget. And it does appear that not having enough money for education is a constant, no matter what the year. But there’s a big difference in my mind between wishing we could do more and feeling like the bottom is falling out.

If you have opinions on the school budget, write the Board. Write the County Executive. Write the County Council.  But do not run for the Board of Education. All the opinions and speeches and buzzwords in the world will not keep a school system running in good working order. It is hard work.

Maybe we need more folks who specialize in mechanics and fewer in sales. 

Village Green/Town² Comments