District organizes budget meetings

First session is set for Wednesday.

By: Lea Kahn
   The Lawrence Township Board of Education plans to kick off the first in a series of budget preparation meetings Wednesday, when it considers priorities listed by the seven school building principals.
   The meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawrence High School Library, is one of four meetings in February aimed at crafting the 2005-06 operating budget, Schools Superintendent Max Riley said.
   Additional budget meetings — all open to the public — have been set for Feb. 9, which is the school board’s monthly meeting, and Feb. 16 and Feb. 28. The Feb. 9 meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the LHS library, but the time and location of the other meetings have not been set.
   The major budget items to be discussed next week include curriculum, professional development, student assessment, instructional supplies and textbooks — especially in math and language arts, Dr. Riley said.
   Related services for special education students, the Freshman Agenda program at Lawrence High School, and character education program development are among the other major budget items, he said.
   "We are marching toward getting the budget ready to take to the public," Dr. Riley said.
   During December and January, the administration circulated a survey to gain input from parents and staff on budget priorities, Dr. Riley said. The administration will ask the school board to look at that information and come up with its priorities this month, he said. Focus groups to discuss the budget also are planned.
   Also, the school district plans to issue the Cardinal Budget Bulletin about every 10 days, Dr. Riley said. Copies will be sent home with the students. Budget information also will be available on the school district’s Web site, www.ltps.org.