FY2001 Budget Hearings

The Boston School Committee invites members of the BPS community to participate in the process of developing and reviewing the Boston Public Schools budget for fiscal year 2001 (the 2000-2001 school year).

The School Committee is required to vote on the Superintendent's recommendations by the end of March before submitting the budget to the Mayor and City Council. Prior to that vote, the School Committee and Superintendent Payzant seek input from the community - especially families - about the proposed budget. As in years past, the School Committee will host a series of hearings - one in each of the three assignment zones and one at School Department headquarters.

The focus of this year's hearings will be slightly different than that of previous years. In order to make the hearings as useful, informative, and interactive for parents, staff, and other members of the BPS community, the hearings will include a presentation by the Superintendent which will attempt to answer some of the following frequently-asked questions:

• How is the Boston Public Schools annual budget determined?
• How is funding allocated to each school?
• What role do parents and School Site Councils have in the decision-making process?
• How will next year's budget be different from this year's budget?

The presentation will be followed by opportunities for parents and other attendees to ask questions and offer comments about the proposed budget.

The schedule of budget hearings is as follows. All budget hearings begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a regular School Committee meeting.  Anyone interested in asking a question or making a comment may sign up at the hearing.

NORTH ZONE:
Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Jackson-Mann Elementary School
40 Armington Street, Allston

EAST ZONE:
Wednesday, March 1, 2000
O'Hearn Elementary School
1669 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester

WEST ZONE:
Wednesday, February 9, 2000
James M. Curley Elementary School
40 Pershing Road, Jamaica Plain

DOWNTOWN:
Wednesday, February 2, 2000
School Department Headquarters
Edward J. Winter Chambers
26 Court Street

All locations are wheelchair accessible.