Bialk and Nielson Explain their vote to Approve FPS 2011-12 Budget

Last Thursday following the Franklin School Board’s special meeting to vote on its 2011-12 Budget Draft #1, we spoke with school board member Janet Evans to get her take on Wednesday night’s Special School Board Meeting and find out who voted for and against the 2011-12 Budget Draft #1, the FRANKLIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL also sent emails to each school board member asking them to explain their vote, including Mrs. Evans.

On Friday, Jun17, we published replies from Board president Debbie Larson and memberMelissa Klein and Janet Evans.

Over the weekend we received answers from Judith Bialk and Tim Nielson. As of this writing Board vice president Jeff Traylor is the only school board member who has not responded to our request. Board member Linda Witkowski was excused from the Jun 15 meeting and did not vote on the budget and therefore was not contacted by the editors.

Here is Judith Bialk’s reply followed by Mr. Nielson’s

Mr. Keller'

This is my first opportunity to respond to your message regarding approval of the 2011-12 FPS budget.  I believe that Mrs. Larson has adequately addressed some misconceptions you had regarding the deficit figures in that budget, so I do not need to speak to that.  Because I was not present for the June 8th meeting, I had a lengthy conversation with Mr. Jim Milzer, and based upon our shairing [sic] of budgetary facts, I openly stated at the June 15th meeting that I was voting in the affirmative for the 2011-12 budget based on three reasons: 1. The budget is balanced.  2.  There are no cuts represented in this budget, and 3.  The tax levy for our community is going down this year.  I considered those facts significant enough to cast my "Yes" vote for this budget.  I also realize that the budget will not be in its final form unti [sic] October of 2011 and this gives the BOE time to make any significant changes should the occasion arise.

Judith Bialk

* * * *

Mr Keller:
 
Thank you for reaching out to me regarding the 2011-12 proposed budget.  This is my first public office and your communication is welcomed.  My answer would echo what Mrs Larson wrote to you with regard to explaining the graph you referenced.  This proposed budget is balanced with no program cuts that I am aware of--which is good for the kids.
 
My 'yes' vote was more due to the fact that this is a proposed budget that will be coming before the board again in July with the opportunity to make changes if desired.  I am looking forward to diving into the numbers even further and making sure the final budget product is a good one.  If there are any particular changes you would like to see or concerns you have, I would be happy to discuss them with you.
Regards,
 
Tim Nielson
School Board Member
Franklin Public Schools

 Thank you to all those school board members who gave our readers the courtesy of an answer to our question.

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