Press Release

Citizens Task Force To Study DPS Budget Deficit

The Board of Education has organized a new Citizens Budget Task Force to explore and double-check the district's looming budget deficit.

The effort is being undertaken now because the district is seeking to commit to school staffing levels by early February so schools can compete for the best teachers available. This is a step being taken months earlier in the school year cycle than in recent history.

The other reason for the task force is simple: current projections show a $17 million gap between revenues and expenses heading into the 2001-2002 school year. The current school year budget is approximately $465 million.

Task force meetings are scheduled every Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. through mid-January. The meetings will be held in either Room 108 or the First Floor Board Room at the administration building, 900 Grant Street. All interested citizens are welcometo attend.

The task force is being asked by the Board of Education to:

1. Study projected enrollment and revenue sources.
2. Analyze a proposed balanced budget currently being prepared by district staff.
3. Develop alternative budget recommendations for the Board's consideration.
4. Advise the Board by January 17 of any recommended changes to the staff's budget.

Co-chairs of the task force are former school board member Laura Lefkowits and John W. Simonton, a human resource specialist and former executive from the energy industry.

The task force is composed solely of community members. District employees will assist task force members in all aspects of their work but are not task force members. The task force has already met twice.

The Board of Education is working to make a decision regarding a preliminary budget by February 1, prior to schools being given their budget guidance.

"We're pleased to accept the charge, Simonton told the Board Thursday. "We are community members with strong financial backgrounds representing the diverse interests of the city."

Said Board member Sharon Macdonald: "This is an awesome group. They will be a real asset to us in meeting the challenges of our budget."

Chief Financial Officer Velma Rose told the Board of Education this week that recent statewide voter approval of Amendment 23 should help Denver Public Schools with an additional $3.1 million. That's welcome income, Rose said, but it's already factored into budget calculations that now show a projected $17 million shortfall starting the 2001-2002 school year.

Members Of The Citizens Budget Task Force are Laura Lefkowits (co-chair), John Simonton (co-chair), Tom Buescher Kevin Crandell, Larry Drake, Lyman Ho, Craig Jones, Lawrence Manzanares, Don Mares, Kevin Patterson, Larry Ricketts, Leo Smith Lucretia Weems, and Lee White.

The Citizens Budget Task Force meets every Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. through mid-January. The meetings will be held in either Room 108 or the First Floor Board Room at the administration building, 900 Grant Street. Summaries of task force work will be included in issues of Board News. All interested citizens are welcome to attend.