Give Ron Olson and Larry Brown credit. They are both very proficient, and efficient, at managing the taxpayers' dollars along with public relations.
The budget news for district residents continued to be good Monday as the Monroe school board approved a proposed general fund plan of slightly more than $30 million for this school year. The highlight is that the district will be levying about $600,000 less than it is allowed by a voter referendum that was approved last year.
The savings for taxpayers individually isn't significant - about 60 cents per $1,000 of equalized assessed value on a home - but the message it sends district residents is.
"It's important we show them (taxpayers) if we don't need those dollars, we won't use them," Olson, the district's business manager, said.
Which is exactly the approach district voters were trusting they'd see when they overwhelmingly approved the referendum in April 2007. The polling-place victory was earned by the district's displayed financial need and its spoken commitment to be good stewards of the public's money. Given the contention created by budget crises earlier this decade and the attention paid to the referendum, there's no doubt the public is watching closely how the district lives up to that commitment.
And, so far, it's doing quite well. The district came in 6.5 percent under budget in expenses last school year. Olson attributed that to district staff being cautious about saving money where and when it could.
This year, the district is benefiting from more state aid resulting from increased enrollment, savings through personnel attrition and lesser-than-expected jumps in health insurance costs.
Olson and Brown, in his second year as the district's superintendent, have displayed a commitment to running a tight financial ship. Taxpayers expect, and deserve, nothing less.
Brown also struck the right chord in a news release Monday about the budget.
"Tonight's decision by the Board of Education shows the commitment to our District Improvement Plan. ... It is also a clear indicator of the Board of Education's and administration's sensitivity to our current economic times and the burdens of our local taxpayer," Brown said.
This continued approach will serve the district, and its taxpayers, well in the future. It builds trust. And trust will be a vital component to community solutions if and when the district reaches future financial crossroads.
The budget news for district residents continued to be good Monday as the Monroe school board approved a proposed general fund plan of slightly more than $30 million for this school year. The highlight is that the district will be levying about $600,000 less than it is allowed by a voter referendum that was approved last year.
The savings for taxpayers individually isn't significant - about 60 cents per $1,000 of equalized assessed value on a home - but the message it sends district residents is.
"It's important we show them (taxpayers) if we don't need those dollars, we won't use them," Olson, the district's business manager, said.
Which is exactly the approach district voters were trusting they'd see when they overwhelmingly approved the referendum in April 2007. The polling-place victory was earned by the district's displayed financial need and its spoken commitment to be good stewards of the public's money. Given the contention created by budget crises earlier this decade and the attention paid to the referendum, there's no doubt the public is watching closely how the district lives up to that commitment.
And, so far, it's doing quite well. The district came in 6.5 percent under budget in expenses last school year. Olson attributed that to district staff being cautious about saving money where and when it could.
This year, the district is benefiting from more state aid resulting from increased enrollment, savings through personnel attrition and lesser-than-expected jumps in health insurance costs.
Olson and Brown, in his second year as the district's superintendent, have displayed a commitment to running a tight financial ship. Taxpayers expect, and deserve, nothing less.
Brown also struck the right chord in a news release Monday about the budget.
"Tonight's decision by the Board of Education shows the commitment to our District Improvement Plan. ... It is also a clear indicator of the Board of Education's and administration's sensitivity to our current economic times and the burdens of our local taxpayer," Brown said.
This continued approach will serve the district, and its taxpayers, well in the future. It builds trust. And trust will be a vital component to community solutions if and when the district reaches future financial crossroads.
