Balanced Budget

Observation

It often seems like a secondary issue, but spending money should not be outside the budget. It shouldn't be deficit spending or unauthorized spending. It shouldn't be hidden from public view. No deceptive tactics allowed.

Some (not all by a long ways) examples of misleading or deceptive tactics:

• Double-talk

• Double counting,

• Labels and definitions that really mean something else

• Not telling the full story – half truth.

• Generalize and skip over important details.

• Hiding some expenses in other budgets.

Plan

Establish a law or guidelines that any spending is public and within an approved budget and is an appropriate appropriation. No deficit spending.

Basics

1. Who are the players

School Board

School Financial Staff and Administration

2. Worthwhile Purpose – The public should be aware of all activities regarding the education system and materials and curricula used. Spending outside the budget undermines other legitimate needs. You also can't spend what you don't have.

3 Who’s In-charge – Bill (a fictionalized person, write name of real person here)

4. How is it Organized

Decide on virtual and/or in-person meetings.

Form work groups to cover more ground.

5. How Reorganized - make sure there is a well-defined process for regular inspection and reorganization, if needed.

Target Date

180 days.

Vital To Do

Get a copy of the detailed budget for schools and education for your jurisdiction, including any state budgets.

Conditional

If spending is reasonable in your area, then table this project for some time in the future.

Actions

Issue a press release announcing what you're doing .It will get you support.

Get a copy of the budget and determine if spending is within the budget and spending is as intended.

Get a CPA or financial expert to look at the books for suspicious items.

Call out questionable items or activities.

Get budget revised, if needed.

Propose laws, rules or guidelines that enforce approved, reasonable and budgeted expenses and prohibits deficit spending.

Statistical Measurement of Progress

Number of items inspected.

Number of corrections made.

Number of reports published.

Notes:

An additional, related project would be to establish that all negotiations, spending, invoices, agreements, contracts (anything with a financial nature) be transparent and public.

Download a copy of project below: