Budget Planning Meeting FAQs
What are community budget planning meetings?
Community budget planning meetings are interactive sessions where stakeholders provide input on what needs to be considered in the annual budget. These meetings work best when a variety of perspectives are shared across the district. Community budget planning meetings open the door for student, parent, and teacher voices to be heard. A summary of all input gathered during these community meetings is presented to the School Board in March prior to their vote on the budget in April.
Why do school district budgets matter?
District budgets are about all students and the teachers, parents, and community partners that make schools work. So how can the budget work for us? The answer is knowing about the funds and the needs.
How does school district funding work?
The Hamilton County Schools operating budget is over $450 million each year supporting 81 school buildings with close to 45,000 students. Approximately half of this budget comes from our local Hamilton County government, through property and sales tax revenue. The remaining amount comes almost entirely from the Tennessee Department of Education, though a small portion of this does come from other funding streams. The proposed operating budget is presented to the School Board. If approved, it will then be sent to the Hamilton County Commission.
How is school district funding spent?
Each year funds are allocated to improve facilities, add staff, and improve learning opportunities for students and teachers. But what is missing and what else needs to be considered? That is where you come in. The Hamilton County Schools community budget planning meeting is your opportunity to tell the district what you believe district funds should be spent on.
Why does your input matter?
Students, parents, and teachers are often aware of what is needed to make their schools better, and we need to hear those concerns. Some concerns are greater than others so we need to know what needs to be prioritized. Your voice is important and matters for current and future Hamilton County Schools students.