Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/97647
Sarasota News Leader December 7, 2012 Page 24 the budget, Deputy Chief Financial Officer Al wouldn't wait. And that's it for my soapbox for this week." Weidner has pointed out. "I'm really concerned about where we're heading," said board member Frank Kovach. "We're using 3 percent of our unrestricted fund balance this year [to supplement the budget]; we're projected to use 3 percent of our balance next year." While Chairwoman Jane Goodwin agreed with him, Todd said she felt the issue was one of "philosophical disagreement" between the board and the superintendent. The board, according to Todd, would like to receive a budget from staff in which the tough choices have been made by the administrative staff. He added, "I keep hearing people say things are going to get better. I don't think things are White responded that she felt the board memgoing to get better. I'm just really concerned bers were elected to make the tough choices. "In my discussions with [high-ranking adminabout where we're going." istrative staff] so far, in terms of where we find Kovach continued, "I give the county credit additional reductions, it becomes a very painfor one thing: At least they have projected ful process for any of us," White said. "Ultiwhen their reserves are going to run out. We mately, whoever brings to you the budget, the don't talk about when our reserves are going results or consequences — the outcomes — to run out. They are going to run out if we we all share. It is your budget. It's not easy afkeep doing what we're doing. … We need to ter so many years of pretty significant budget reductions." come up with a plan. We're "I just don't still using $12 think we can million in recontinue to serves each kick the can year, and we down the have no plan road," Kovach for how we're responded. going to quit Budget matters using those rewill be on the serves." agenda again in the New Year, Kovach addstarting with ed, "I think if the Tuesday, I personally A chart compares the dropout rates for the state of Florida Jan 22, School knew I was goand the Sarasota County Schools from the 2003-04 school Board working to be broke year through the 2011-12 school year. Chart courtesy shop. % Sarasota County Schools in two years I