Taxpayers who want a hand in Cobleskill-Richmondville’s finances next year can volunteer for the Citizens’ Budget Committee.
The CBC is an advisory body that will work with the school board and administration for the 2018-19 budget.
“It’s meant to make sure there are viewpoints other than the board, business office and superintendent when we establish the budget,” said Superintendent Carl Mummenthey.
CBC members will be expected to attend four meetings in January, February and March, review budget material, get input from neighbors and friends and work with school officials.
The CBC isn’t a showpiece with zero impact, Mr. Mummenthey said.
Typically, administrators and staff put together a list of 20 or so extra items they’d like to see in the budget.
Only two or three of those items get funded, and the CBC can have input about which ones.
“They help us define priorities, what the community wants,” Mr. Mummenthey said of committee members. “They can reinforce priorities or question them.”
A couple of years ago, the CBC was influential in restoring computer education in elementary schools.
This year, the CBC successfully endorsed more late bus runs for students involved in after-school activities.
In a thrust that didn’t affect the budget, the CBC suggested examining how the high school delivers special education, and C-R is studying that now.
There may be a twist next year. The CBC often discusses priorities for funding. With a difficult budget year coming up, the committee may focus on how to control costs, Mr. Mummenthey said.
Anyone interested in applying to be on the committee should contact Ruth Van Deusen at 518-234-4032, ext. 2000 or vandeusenr@crcsd.org by January 3.
The school board is expected to appoint members at its January 8 meeting.