MSBA Journal: March-April 2012

Page 16

EXPLAINING SCHOOL BUDGETS TO THE PUBLIC

Margo Nash

A

As a board member, superintendent, business manager or staff person, school finance and the resulting district financial position can often be very complex to explain to the general public, particularly as we are highly regulated by state and federal mandates. So here are four examples of common questions and responses to those questions: Why does the school have a budget problem when my taxes went up and they are receiving more money?

16

MSBA JOURNAL

Hikmat

A property owner’s taxes may go up or down for a variety of reasons. Some of those reasons are changes in value of the property, changes in values of other properties in the surrounding area, special assessment for street improvements, school district referendums, and legislative changes to tax formulas.


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