The committee acknowledged that the long-standing vacancy in the HR director position has contributed to these financial challenges. With a $300,000 deficit looming, the committee stressed that the new HR director would be pivotal in instituting best practices for budget management and approval processes for additional duties, such as aides performing bus duty. To accommodate these duties, there was a suggestion to increase weekly lead time to 32 hours and to issue clear memos outlining expenditures throughout the year for better financial projections.

A member highlighted the need for detailed tracking of expenditures, referencing a recent meeting with the entire Unit B, emphasizing the necessity for a precise list of purchase orders by July 1. This detail was deemed critical for transparency in spending. The presence of both the HR director and the business manager, Katie, was noted as essential during warrant committee presentations to avoid unanswered questions.

Budgeting practices were scrutinized, with concerns about the warrant committee potentially misinterpreting the current financial strategies. The conversation acknowledged that unexpected questions could arise, emphasizing the need for a clear and organized presentation of budget adjustments. A recent increase in projected budget deficit from $700,000 to $1 million was attributed to an athletic stipend payment, which, although within the overall budget, highlighted the need for improved communication and transparency in the budgeting process. The absence of detailed projections was cited as a barrier to effective financial planning, with the new HR director expected to address these gaps.

Discussion also emphasized the importance of refining budget estimates to a target of around one million dollars. A succinct “elevator speech” was proposed to communicate key points to the public succinctly. Inquiries about state funding and its impact on the budget deficit were raised, clarifying that the committee’s budget request assumed an additional $2.3 million in state funding.

Scheduling a warrant committee presentation was another key focus, with members coordinating possible dates amid other commitments. A family event on June 30 was noted, highlighting the need to finalize arrangements promptly. The committee also considered the structure of the finance report to ensure clarity and consistency in communication.