[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: District 281 Financial Advisory Commission Launched

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
District 281 Financial Advisory Commission Launched
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1212032722.shtml


   The Robbinsdale Area School Board tonight created the "Financial
   Adivsory Council" by enacting its By-Laws, which you can [1]find on
   the District Web Site. This was one of the final recommendations of
   the Strategic Planning (Visioning) process, to provide independent
   assessment of District finances and operations. The intent was to
   identify process improvements, budget savings, and help citizens
   (read: Referendum voters) with more understandable financial
   information. The initial draft of proposed By-Laws showed many
   differences in what the Administration thought that meant and what we
   "Visioners" know it meant, something I have posted on several times in
   recent weeks. Some of us Visioners have made objections and
   counter-proposals, and the final version adopted tonight reflects some
   our input:
    1. Administration members were reduced from three to two, an
       Assistant Superintendent and the Finance Director (Director of
       Business Services). (Article IV)
    2. School Board members reduced from two to one, the District
       Treasurer. (Article IV)
    3. Community members increased from five to six. The original 1:1
       ratio of Community to District is now 2:1, but see below. (Article
       IV)
    4. The Council will elect its own Chair. (Article IV.D)
    5. The Council Chair, working with the Finance Director and District
       Treasurer will set the agenda with input from Members of the
       Council. (Article VI.A as revised 6/16.)

   The Board of course has full authority and responsibility for this
   Council and I therefore cannot be anything but grateful for the
   changes they did make. My primary remaining concern is that District
   employees will be eligible to serve as Community members. In fact, the
   now desired "school finance experience" would seem to encourage this.
   It's nothing personal, just my concern that this will diminish the
   Council's perceived independence.
   We have By-Laws. We have a Financial Advisory Council. The rest will
   be up to the Council members themselves.

References

   1. http://www.rdale.k12.mn.us/dist/includes/uploads/agendaItems/Robbinsdale%20Area%20Schools%20Financial%20AdvisoryCouncil%20Jun12.pdf