Usually at this time of the year, I would write something about looking forward to a new year and contemplating resolutions and new opportunities.  Unfortunately, much time during the next months will be spent working on budget reductions and education program changes due to those reductions.

The state recently announced a budget shortfall for 2008-09 and a significant budget shortfall for the next two years.  The district's recently failed levy, coupled with the state's budget situation, is snuffing out the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.  If the state holds E-12 education at its current funding level for the remainder of this budget year and the next two years, the cuts presented during the levy campaign would balance the books for next year.  This scenario, like the light at the end of the tunnel, is growing dimmer by the day.  

This week's SupeCast episode for Friday, December 19, 2008 includes:

• Next school board meeting is Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m. in the Discovery Center Board Room in Buffalo.Topics will include the state's budget deficit and district budget reductions.
• Topics from the December 8 School Board Agenda:
  • Phoenix Learning Center Program Review
  • Debt Service Fund Transfer
  • Approal of the 2009 Tax Levy
• There will be a special school board meeting prior to the workshop on Monday, January 12 at 4:30 p.m. at Tatanka Elementary to elect board positions.
• A special board meeting was held on Monday, December 15 to approve the districts 403b plan and discuss the exclusion of a student.

This week's SupeCast episode for Friday, December 5, 2008 includes:

• Next School Board Meeting is Monday, December 8 at Phoenix Learning Center
• Topics from the November 24 School Board Agenda:
  • Bond refinancing
  • Enrollment Projections

Election Day is one of the most important days of the year when governing bodies at the local, state, and national levels are determined.  State and local initiatives are also often part of the ballot.  This year is no exception for BHM district voters as the school board placed a levy referendum question on the November 4 ballot.

For residents with good memories, the 2007 long-term financial strategy was the passage of a levy referendum or implementation of a two-year budget reduction plan.  Residents did not support the 2007 levy referendum and the first year of the reduction plan, reducing costs in 2008-09 by $1.825 million, was put in place.  

This week's SupeCast episode for Friday, November 21, 2008 includes:

• Monday, November 24 School Board Agenda:
  • Approve $1.595 million in budget reductions for 2009-010
  • Curriculum annual report
  • Bond refinancing
  • Enrollment Projections
• Truth in Taxation meeting on Tuesday, December 2 at 7 p.m. in the Discovery Center Board Room
• Thank You Voters

This week's SupeCast episode for October 31, 2008 includes:

• Monday, October 27 School Board Agenda: Sale of bonds, 2007-08 audit report, policies, October 1 enrollment numbers,
• Good Luck to Football and Cross Country Teams
• Levy Election Information

This week's SupeCast episode for October 24, 2008 includes:

• Monday, October 27 School Board Agenda
• Upcoming Sport and Music Events in BHM
• Levy Election Information
• Levy Question Answered: Does the passage of the levy mean my taxes will go up $339?

This week's SupeCast episode for October 10, 2008 includes:
Superintendent Bauck speaking about the middle school bus altercation on Friday, October 3, upcoming school board work
session and listening sessions, and the upcoming levy election (you can also find levy information on this site under Election 2008).

As promised last spring and again at the start of the school year, the district is distributing information to the community regarding the levy referendum vote to be conducted in conjunction with the national presidential election on November 4.  This provides school owners a chance to size-up the district in multiple ways.  While I would hope stakeholders are constantly sizing-up the district, in reality I know that is simply not the case for whatever reason that might be.