APS Seeks Public Input on Proposed 2010-2011 Budget

The district is hosting a series of public forums during the next few weeks, but if you can’t make a meeting, you can still see the presentation and submit comments.

March 10, 2010

APS is seek public input on the proposed 2010-2011 budget.

There are still several public budget forums scheduled over the next few weeks that we encourage you to attend:

• Wednesday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain View ES, 5317 Second St. SW (map)
• Thursday, March 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Van Buren MS, 700 Louisiana Blvd. SE (map)
• Tuesday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. at Cibola HS, 1410 Ellison Dr. NW (map)
• Wednesday, March 24, at 6:00 p.m. at Petroglyph ES, 5100 Mama Lynn Ave. NW (map)

“We want to provide the community an opportunity to share their thoughts about the budget and to help determine where funds will be spent,” said Dupuy Bateman, chief financial officer for APS. “The budget process, by its nature, is complicated and time consuming. District administrators, school personnel and members of the community need to provide input on the budget as it is formulated.”

The state Legislature cut public education funding by nearly 2 percent during a special session last fall, and another 1.2 percent during the recent session. That amounts to a $19 million cut in state funding for APS in the 2010-11 school year. 

The operational budget for 2010-2011 is expected to be about $631 million, which includes funding for instruction such as:

• General education
• Special education
• Early childhood education
• Bilingual education
• Fine arts
• Physical education
• Vocational education
• Technology
• Summer school
  
• Athletics

It will also provide funding for support services, including:

• Student and instructional support
• School administration
• Transportation
  
• Food services