Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Robert Kelty is presenting a community discussion on the state’s fiscal crisis and its impact on local schools. The meeting this Thursday at 6:30 will be held at the Coconino Center for the Arts, at 2300 N. Ft. Valley Road. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The meeting will feature Dr. Chuck Essigs of the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, Janice Palmer of the Arizona School Board Association and Dr. Debra Duvall of the Arizona School Administrators. Dr. Essigs is recognized as one of Arizona’s premiere authorities on school finance. He is often invited to provide insight and an easy-to-understand interpretation of state budgets, laws, and how both will affect local school districts.
School districts have already received notice that the state is facing a shortfall in the current fiscal year budget of approximately $825 million, with more cuts expected in 2012; yet, no one knows for certain just how deep the budget cuts will go. Dr. Essigs, Janice Palmer and Dr. Duvall will offer their expertise in informing our citizens on legislative decisions and how that could impact school programming and district decisions.
Beforehand, Mr. Kelty will discuss the duties of the County Superintendent’s Office as well as current initiatives his office is pursuing. The goal of the meeting is to inform parents, concerned citizens, and school advocates on the future of school finance in Arizona and what is being done at the county level to support schools in the face of fiscal challenges. A question and answer session will be held after the presentations.
Thank you to Flagstaff Cultural Partners for assisting the Coconino County Superintendent of Schools Office in bringing this event to our community.