The Londonderry School Board gave its approval for its new Budget Preparation policy during the April 16 School Board meeting.
“The Superintendent may establish procedures for the involvement of staff in the development of the budget proposal,” the policy states.
In the policy it states that the School Board “will adopt guidelines and a schedule each year for the timely submission of the budget to the Board, and budget committee.”
“Budget planning will be related to the goals and objectives of the district and its programs. It should include an assessment of existing programs and examination of alternative program possibilities,” the policy states.
The budget proposal must be within the parameters of Board policy and include provisions for:
- Programs to meet the needs of the entire student body.
- Staffing arrangements adequate for proposed programs.
- Maintenance of the District’s equipment and facilities.
- Efficiency and economy.
Also in the policy, it states that the School and Superintendent will “schedule work sessions on the budget to provide information with regard to arrival at the final budget total.”
“Discussions will follow, designed to reach agreement between the Board and Budget Committee as to the figures to be presented to the public. The District shall utilize the official ballot (RSA 40:13) for voting on all issues before voters,” the policy states.
In addition, the School Board rescinded two different budget policies one being budget adoption procedures.
“The School Board will adopt a budget, by majority vote, at a regularly scheduled School Board meeting or special meeting, keeping with budget deadlines,” the rescinded policy stated.
It also stated that the “adopted budget will appear in the School District Annual Report (see DB), and will be presented by the School Board at the Annual School District Meeting, held between March 1 and March 25 (RSA 197:1).”
The District’s Budget Hearings policy was also rescinded which stated “At least one public hearing will be scheduled by the school board, to be held after the budget has been adopted by the Board and prior to the Annual School District Meeting.”
“The purpose of the hearing will be to inform the community of the school district’s proposed budget; provide a review of the budget; and provide a forum for discussion with the community,” the rescinded policy stated.
The next Londonderry School Board is set to take place on May 7 at 7 p.m.