Community Corner
School Board Adopts 2013-14 Budget
Superintendent of schools Dr. Robert Feirsen presented the final proposal Tuesday.
The Garden City Board of Education adopted a $107,602,366 budget Tuesday evening at Garden City High School.
With the restoration of co-curricular programs discussed at last week's work session, the final budget-to-budget increase stands at 3.25 percent and the final tax levy increase stands at 3.19 percent.
Superintendent of schools Dr. Robert Feirsen reminded both the board and the community that after a successful tax certiorari suit, the numbers have dropped considerably, even with the restoration of costly programs.
"If you've been tracking our budget discussion, you have clear evidence that this is a real exercise of democracy," Feirsen said. "We started with a totally different set of figures. We have, over the past several weeks, worked with the Board of Education to discuss various aspects of the budget."
The final budget proposal includes no major changes, according to Feirsen. While other districts are suffering building closures and other drastic changes, Feirsen is confident that the coming year's proposal is very similar to 2012-13.
"Our program next year will look very, very close to what it is this year and what it has been in the past years," he explained. "We're maintaining the excellent program for which our school district has become known."
Feirsen also assured the community that the budget proposal does allow extra funds for increased security measures, something he felt was important to mention in the wake of Monday's Boston Marathon bombings.
"This has been a year filled with many, many challenges and many, many difficult events for many members of our community personally and for us to witness on television and through context across the country," Feirsen said.
"Our first thought always is for the safety and security of our students," he added. "I want to reiterate to the board and the community that we do have a safe and secure environment and that we work to ensure the students feel that."
The budget vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21. The next board meeting will be held Tuesday, May 7 at 8:15 p.m.
