Chris Myers Announces Plan to Improve TPS Budgeting Process
Toledo, Ohio. Chris Myers, Republican candidate for Toledo Public Schools Board of Education, announces that he will hold a press conference to announce his five-point plan to improve the budgeting process for Toledo Public Schools. His plan will bring the district closer to operating with transparency and getting more education out of every dollar spent.
Date: Friday, July 13, 2007
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Place: Toledo Board of Education - Thurgood Marshall Building
420 East Manhattan
The media is respectfully requested to be present.
Myers believes that while the school district has started this year on the right foot, it will take solid leadership from the board to bring it to the next level. His five-point plan will assure that the district operates as a good fiscal steward of taxpayer dollars and will bring the district closer to operating with transparency while getting more education out of every dollar spent. Myers has been active in his support for improving TPS for several years including audio taping all board meetings and creating Web sites like http://www.ideasfortps.com and http://www.tpssearch.com to help inform and engage TPS stakeholders.
###
Thank you all for joining me today as I announce my plan for how the district can improve its budgeting process.
Recently, TPS approved a budget using a new budgeting process. I’m glad they’ve chosen to do what I, and others in the community, have advocated. Even current board members have admitted that the district needs a better handle on the budget.
While this is a good start, I believe we can do better. When I’m elected, I’ll take this process to the next step with my 5-point plan to improve the budget process.
With education of our children the first priority, we should expect that money spent will ALWAYS lead to further educating our students, constantly remembering that the money we spend isn’t our own – but YOUR MONEY. In any office, Fiscal accountability is important, especially in times of rising costs and fixed incomes. My 5-point plan brings the district closer to operating with transparency and getting more education out of every dollar spent.
My 5-Point Plan for Budgeting:
1. Create methods for the community (including employees) to provide money saving ideas, like http://www.ideasfortps.com There are great ideas out there and the district must cast a wide net in order to solicit them.
2. Establish and publicize the budget calendar and start it early enough in the fall so that there are enough opportunities for analysis of programs and, especially, public input.
3. Establish budget performance benchmarks. Like academic goals, the establishment of financial performance goals will help the district do tasks better with less money.
4. Establish goals and a strategic plan for the district and then determine the district’s budget priorities accordingly.
5. Create an incentive program to reward employees for money-saving ideas.
When implemented, these five points will assure voters that the district is operating as a good fiscal steward of your money.
We have a good start, now it will take solid leadership on the board to make it better. When I’m elected, this is what I will work toward– I‘m Chris Myers and I ask for your vote so I can do just that.
