In addition, someone commented that the budget comes from the state, also true to an extent.
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From 2014-15 budget presentation (click to enlarge)
In 2014-15, 80 percent of the budget came from the state and 3 percent from federal sources, leaving 17 percent to be paid by Plainfield taxpayers.For the current year, including debt service, city residents are on the hook for $23,958,938 and the rest of the $183,528,630 is from other sources.
In many surrounding districts, the proportions are the opposite. Property owners pay most of school costs, with some state and federal revenues.
Maybe it is time for a reminder that from 1992 to 2007, the local tax levy was always exactly the same: $17,683,906. The disproportionate allocation of state education funds to the neediest (Abbott) districts led to a call for local taxpayers to pitch in more. Read this 2010 Plainfield Plaintalker post to see changes after the School Reform Act of 2008 took effect.
The "fair share" dollar amounts have increased, though the proportion is still low. The goal in 2008 was for Plainfield eventually to pay about $33 million. As you can see, city taxpayers are still far from that amount.
Citizen participation in school affairs appears to be quite low compared to the old days of the Citizens School Budget Advisory Board. Perhaps there are reasons why it dropped off, but the time seems opportune now for more interest and scrutiny on the part of community members. The watchdogs of the past are gone, it seems.
Please feel free to add your thoughts and opinions to this topic, and especially to bring more factual information to light.
--Bernice
Gone are the days of Bob Darden and Terri Cabbell, when we had a real Board of Education, not these misfit toys we have now. I hope Adrian Mapp can find a way to have the Board appointed by the Mayor like it used to be.
ReplyDeleteWhat were Terri's accomplishments?
DeleteThe mere fact that Terri has more dedication and commitment than most on the current board speaks volumes. If a program or project did not benefit the kids in Plainfield, then it didn't get passed when she was on the board. Terri and Bob Darden used to go over the budget line by line. There were no special favors for relatives, they were not self-serving. Gone are those days....
DeleteJust curious about the concept of Plainfielders footing the whole school budget. Do you think more people will become involved since we are paying? Do you think there would be a bigger cry for a quality education? Do you think more people would want to be on the BOE?
ReplyDeleteI believe that if you have real skin in the game, you pay attention.
The main reason the election should be in November is give more people the opportunity to vote and be aware of what's going on with our schools. The underhanded way the date was changed shows a lack of concern for the public's input and that is not healthy for a BOE or our children. If hour children handled their responsibilities like this many parents would be upset.
ReplyDeleteIt was Jerry Greens idea and controlled city council to change it to November and it's the same controlled city council that voted to change it back to April.
ReplyDeleteYou do the math.
I kmow it was Jerry's kids who sided with the Campbells. Maybe Jerry and his followers will go with a Campbell for mayor so their friends can get in on the jobs and money.
ReplyDeleteWe receive much money from the state but still have a failing school system. So where is the money going? Very little involvement in our children's education, and as stated in some of the above comments, not having the election in November, where everything is out in the open and discussed alongside many other issues, and moving it to April the community is out of the loop.
ReplyDelete