First Board of Education Budget Forum Nearly Empty
Schools board hosts first district budget forum.
Millburn's Board of Education hosted its first public forum on the budget on Sunday for an almost empty crowd.
The forum was held to give residents a opportunity to ask questions and give input on the budget.
Did you miss the forum? Add your questions below!
The next forum is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013 at the Millburn Public Library.
“We thought it would be helpful to hear up front from all residents of the community since there is no longer a public vote on the budget," the board's finance chair, Lise Chapman, said previously.
Students' parents can also weigh in on the budget at the following upcoming PTO meetings with Superindendent Dr. James Crisfield and BOE Finance Chair Lise Chapman:
- October 10 – Millburn Middle School, 9:15 a.m.
- October 11 – Deerfield School, 9:30 a.m.
- October 17 – Wyoming School, 9:15 a.m.
- October 18 – Glenwood School, 9:00 a.m.
- October 31 – South Mountain School, 9:00 a.m.
- November 1 – Hartshorn School, 9:15 a.m.
- November 28 - Millburn High School (at the Millburn Public Library), 10 a.m.
“Last spring the Board Finance Committee and Dr. Crisfield developed the idea for ‘pre-budget listening sessions’ so that the public would have an opportunity to present their priorities, new ideas and concerns to us in advance of this year’s budget process," Chapman said in a press release. "In addition to the PTOs, we plan to meet with the Short Hills Association and M-SPEC.”
Hedley
6:24 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Yet another reason to have moved the election. Embarrassing turnout.
Realistic Person
7:24 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Yet another reason to implement salary, pay and benefit cuts.. or implement a longer school year. Enough of the 2-3 months off annually, enough of pensions (should be 401k's with matching funds) and enough of zero contribution healthcare. If you need to raise teacher's salary a bit, that's fine.. but enough of public employees bankrupting us (off the back of taxpayers).
It's stunningly disgusting that the former chair of our school district has a $143,000 a year pension.
James Tockey
7:24 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
There was a packed crowd at Deerfield for the BoE listening session and parents were screaming about the lack of space in that building. Embarassing. Anyone know about the other schools?
James Tockey
8:09 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
The Deerfield parents want to know why the BoE did not plan for enrollment increases at any of the elementary schools. They just did a redistricting plan and didn't get it right.
JKH
12:52 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Most parents I know are planning on going to the PTO meetings--which have been very well publicized.
I also think people are not too concerned about the budget as of yet. Nothing controversial has been announced. People are preoccupied with the remnants of the hurricane issues and frankly, people really like and trust Dr. Crisfield. I know that is not going to be popular thing to admit out loud because it's the same five angry people who either post here or go to the meetings, but that is the truth. As I have spoken with friends, people generally have high praise for Dr. Crisfield.
James Tockey
11:10 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
And what are those parents who attended the PTO meetings saying? It wasn't happy talk. There is an email circulating from the Deerfield PTO leaders urging parents to go to the BoE meeting on Monday. They are angry and upset that there is nothing in the works to deal with the overcrowded building.