The 2004 - 2005 Budget Process

Facing another year of serious budget cuts due to the state imposed revenue limits, the Madison Metropolitan School District embarked on a very different process for the preparation of the 2004-05 budget. The major changes are:

A series of Budget Seminars for interested citizens providing background information about the complex school district budget and allowing for input from citizens.
The Board of Education receiving the proposed balanced budget from the administration about two months earlier than in the past.

The process actually began in the latter part of the 2002-03 school year with public seminars labeled "Budget 101." The seminars covered the basics of the state school finance system and how it causes perennial budget gaps for Madison and Wisconsin school districts.

In September of 2003, an operating budget timeline was developed and published. It set out the steps leading up to the early budget proposal going to the Board of Education. The timeline also determined topics and issues that merited further explanation and discussion.

From September 2003 through February 2004, detailed reports were given to the Board of Education about Madison School District departments' functions, staffing and budgets. The nine reports represent all departments of the district.

These reports were reviewed and discussed during the 15 Budget Seminars, which have been conducted by Carol Carstensen, Board of Education Finance and Operations chair, and other Board members. The seminars explained and detailed all spending and personnel functions in the district. Those attending the sessions have had the opportunity to ask questions, give feedback, and better understand why the district faces a budget gap annually.

Board of Education Budget Seminars focused on the following topics:

Five Seminars in September and October, 2003
- Wisconsin's K-12 school financing
- Madison School District budget process
- Review of the 2003-04 budget
- General District Administration Department as it relates to the budget
- State equalization formula
- Elementary Schools Department as it relates to the budget
- Student fees charged by the district
- Secondary Schools Department as it relates to the budget
- Alternative sources of funds for the district
- Review of the finalized 2003-04 budget
Three Seminars in November, 2003
- Annual report on Board of Education priorities
- Student fees charged by the district
- Student Services Department as it relates to the budget
- Issues for Board of Education consideration
- 2004-05 budget
Three Seminars in January, 2004
- Educational Services Department as it relates to the budget
- Business Services Department as it relates to the budget
- Teaching and Learning Department as it relates to the budget (also in February)
- Human Resources Department as it relates to the budget
Three Seminars in February, 2004
- Proposed 2004-05 budget cuts and their implications, legality, and feasibility
- 2003-04 budget
- Madison School-Community Recreation Department as it relates to the budget
- Possible cuts to the 2004-05 budget
- Draft report to the community on the long term effects of budget cuts on the district (also in March)

As the Board of Education receives the proposed budget in March of 2004, the budget process to this point involves a full year of preparation and outreach.

Three public forums which allow for comments by citizens and staff are scheduled for March. It is anticipated that preliminary Board of Education approval of the 2004-05 budget will occur in June. The final budget and certification of the local tax levy will occur in October.

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