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Motivation. Florence was a crisis of community trust as much as it was a financial crisisPersonal observations
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1. BUILDING TRUST IN YOUR COMMUNITY AROUND SCHOOL FINANCE ISSUES David Carlson, Director
School Financial Services Team
May 3, 2007
2. Motivation Florence was a crisis of community trust as much as it was a financial crisis
Personal observations
“Budgeting by Referendum” and “Budgeting for Referendum”
The new reality for many districts may be that the current school finance system makes referenda a required source of district revenues for operational purposes
3. Methodology Interview administrators, business officials, and others who may have insights into building trust within communities
Outcomes: identify elements/dimensions of trust and best practices that are applicable to the school setting
4. Methodology “How have you built trust or how do you build trust in school communities?”
“What are some best practices that you have implemented?”
5. What is Trust? “Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of some one or something”
Word derivation of trust is related to the word “truth”
A product of trust is the ability to influence behavior
6. New ParadigmBudgeting by Referendum Community support is even more critical to a districts’ ability to provide a quality education
New “financial” decision makers
Poses new challenges to administrators, staff, board as it affects their ability to carry out their responsibilities
Some believe community participation is good
7. New ParadigmBudgeting by Referendum “All superintendents need to understand school finance as most board meetings are now related to budgeting”
“Advocates for school finance change”
8. Building Trust “It’s not like a light switch. Hard to turn on but easy to turn off”
“Giuliani affect” – district is judged by memorable events
“Not what you do but how you do it. We were planning on this. Now the time is here.”
9. Building Trust “Trust is built on how the community feels you are using its money”
“What you say and what you do must match up”
“Credibility is built 1-2 people removed from you”
10. Building Trust “Community understands that it will not always be accommodated but expects to be listened to”
“Citizens will buy what they want, not what they need”
11. Building Trust “A referendum should not be a referendum on the superintendent”
“Our biggest problems are solved best when they are small”
“Chicken Little” doesn’t work
12. Building Trust “Reasonably intelligent people given enough time and information will reach the same conclusion”
“Build your votes one at a time”
“Communities cannot think creatively until they have expressed their fears and concerns”
13. Building Trust Pick “Low Hanging Fruit”
“Spread the butter”
“No electric pencil sharpeners”
14. Building Trust “Superintendent as Trustee”
“Are you talking about today or tomorrow?”
“No surprises”
15. So What? – Now What? The following are suggestions that those interviewed believe are best practices for them and their attempt to build trust. It’s about communication and building relationships
16. So What? – Now What? The Board
Board members share their plan to comprehensively “listen” to community
Board has regular listening/learning brainstorming sessions beyond the routine and usual business
17. So What? – Now What? The Board
Board has public relations committee of the board
“Boards must agree to disagree without being disagreeable”
18. So What? – Now What? Superintendent/Business Official
Require administration staff to participate in community organizations
When hiring key staff, consider their ability to communicate with the community
Emphasize the positives of the district
19. So What? – Now What? Superintendent/Business Official
Use fiscal audit to demonstrate good stewardship
Require auditor to meet with Board
Establish accounting system that provides easy access to district data
Every major project/initiative has a communications plan
20. So What? – Now What? Superintendent/Business Official
Demystify the “black box” of school finance
Have open book policy of finances
Hold finance workshops for community
Link expenditures to programs for kids
Create a district finance website for community (Finance team can help)
21. So What? – Now What? Superintendent/Business Official
Demystify the “black box” of school finance
“You should be planning the 2008-09 budget now. The 2007-08 budget should be done because of prior planning
Use technology to engage community such as website, community television stations, listserves, newsletters, appearances
22. So What? – Now What? Superintendent/Business Official
“Feed the eagles”
Create strategy to communicate with key communicators
For referenda, don’t allow superintendent or consultants to present
Understand district demographics
23. Conclusions New paradigm needs further study; this presentation is just an introduction
Complexity of issues create incredible challenges but also opportunities