Balanced Budget For The Denver Schools-- An Unfamiliar But Gratifying Destination To Be

1. I have been blogging about school districts throughout the nation for some time. It is unfortunate that lots of districts today usually are experiencing more problems than successes. Budgeting, finances and funding are the greatest headaches and difficulties for school administrators and district officials. Though the Bush Administration has actually offered more federal funding under programs like the No Kid Left Act, such financing brings with it federal mandates of how to invest those dollars. Many school financing programs cost school districts as much as they receive, leaving them to rush to get other financing for their schools' everyday needs. Some states even decrease state funding and cap the amount of moneying a failing school might get from regional funding resources, which has never ever made any sense to me-- take loan away from a school, which requires it the most to develop and carry out intervention programs to improve the school's efficiency. That leaves school districts with insurmountable budget plan issues that suggest operating at a loss, and some (like the St. Louis school district) face the possibility of being taken over by the state. Each and every school within the United States need to carefully monitor what cash the get and what they spend. Is it any wonder that the Denver schools' officials selling old car vs donation just recently experienced a burst of exhilaration after discovering that they may be dealing with a well balanced budget for their district for the 2007- 2008 school year? Not thinking it possible, they reviewed the numbers once again. The Denver schools' authorities combed the spreadsheets several times looking for errors. Even when no errors might be found and the evidence remained in front of them in black and white, the Denver schools' administrators still had a difficult time believing it. Yet, they have a balanced budget for the 2007-2008 academic year for the district. Theresa Pena, president of the Denver schools' board, told reporters that the board members were surprised and did not quite understand how to act with a well balanced budget plan. The Denver schools' officials utilized the same "plan" for the 2007-2008 budget as they did for this year's budget plan. They added absolutely nothing new to the Denver schools' budget for next school year, and they made no cuts. It is basically the like this year's spending plan, other than for a $200 million reduction of existing commitments that do not extend into the next school year, according to Denver schools' Superintendent Michael Bennet. Though the $1.1 billion budget for the Denver schools' 2007-2008 school year is tentative, school officials are excited none-the-less. Bennet cautioned the Denver schools' board that the predicted spending plan leaves no margin for errors. If something fails within the Denver schools district or Congress hands down unforeseen mandates throughout its approaching budget plan session, the balanced budget will be history. Superintendent Bennet, permit the Denver school's authorities enjoy their unexpected sensations of complete satisfaction and elation for a while longer. It so rarely takes place to public school officials these days.