Budget committee is worthwhile

Last year I was asked to participate in the Mat-Su Borough School District’s program-based budgeting process as a parent of a school district student.

That was the first year for such a budgeting process and it involved bringing together teachers, administrators, parents and community members in reviewing the current budget and making recommendations to the school board about what the budget would look like if cuts were made, if things stayed the same and if extra money were approved.

As a parent in this process it was enlightening, to say the least. I learned an immense amount about what decisions school administrators are forced to make every year based on a tight allotment of money. I saw firsthand why, when push comes to shove, cutting teachers and salaries can become the only option. I was also able to bring my opinion into the mix and share why I felt certain programs were more important to my student than others. All in all, what I felt most was that I was a part of something important to my family and to the community.

It is my understanding that the school district will be using program-based budgeting again this year and would like to recruit more parents and community members to be involved. I would encourage anyone who is invited to join this committee to do so without hesitation. Not only is it an honor to take part in something so important, but it is also a very wonderful way to truly understand what happens behind the scenes and to make a difference. I will be joining the committee again this year and I hope to see many fellow parents there with me.

Jamey Duhamel,

Mat-Su