February 2008

With the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School cafeteria filled with almost three dozen people, Monticello’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel and Board of Education President Robert Stewart opened this year’s inaugural meeting of the Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee (CABC).

The committee is a way to keep the doors of communication open with taxpayers and get residents actively involved in the school budget formation process. With Dr. Michel setting the guidelines for discussion, the group delved head-first into the budgetary challenges and growing needs of the district.

As an open dialogue began, community members were not shy to talk about their concerns. The district’s four elementary school principals gave a presentation on the needs of their schools with a question and answer session following.

Many of the attendees commended Dr. Michel on his open door policies and the creation of an atmosphere of transparency and honesty within the district.

District administrators and the Board of Education want to address the issues of the community and are urging residents to participate in the future meetings. For more information, call Dr. Michel directly at 794-7700, ext. 70910.

Monticello Schools' 2008 Citizen's Advisory Budget Committee (CABC) invitation and schedule of meetings

January 2008

With As a way to keep the doors of communication open between taxpayers and school district administrators, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel wants to once again get community members actively involved in the school budget formation process by inviting them to be a part of this year’s Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee (CABC).

The CABC is a good way for people to get involved, from the beginning, in the lengthy process of developing next year’s school budget. It also allows all members of the community – parents, teachers, business owners, senior citizens, etc. - to have an equal voice. CABC committee members are needed to be key communicators helping to disseminate important budget information gotten from the meetings to others within the community.

All CABC meetings will take place at 7 p.m. in the RJK Middle School cafeteria. The following are the scheduled dates and topics of the meetings:

• Tuesday, Feb. 5 - Topic: Rollover budget, state aid, enrollment, and elementary budget;
   

• Tuesday, Feb. 26 – Topic: Middle school, high school, transportation & facilities budget, and debt/bond project;
   

• Tuesday, March 4 – Topic: PPS, tech, music & athletic budget, BOCES services;
   

• Tuesday, March 18 – Topic: Undistributed, benefits, staffing data, new programs, curriculum/staff development.

(Please note: snow day reschedule dates will be the Wednesday following the canceled Tuesday.)

Part of this year’s discussions will also focus on new academic programs, the proposed “College in the Classroom” initiative and adding football at the high school.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the 2008 CABC should contact Dr. Michel directly at 845-794-7700, ext. 70910.

Photo: District administrators and community members were involved in diverse discussions at last year's CABC meetings.

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