Bee Editorial
School budget process has begun - get involved
It's time to get involved with your school district's budget process. Unhappy with the district's spending plan? Want to see more spent on athletics? Less?

Now, not in May, is the time to voice your opinion, concerns and questions. Make the school administrators and board of education accountable for how they are spending your money.

Each year the school's leaders make decisions that have an impact on each property owner - make sure they are the right ones by attending meetings and asking questions. While it is your vote in May that either adopts or rejects the final budget, the next few months are when the budgets are created.

The Williamsville Central School District has already begun lengthy discussions on what expenditures are possible for the 2007-08 school year. They are choosing between cameras, a modified sports team, foreign language class, counselors - which are just samples of the 19 items on the list totaling $1,270,040.

While the board member's opinions matter, they are only a few district residents representing a large community. Tell them what you think and here is when you will have a chance:

Williamsville Central School District

The preliminary budget will be presented at the Tuesday, Feb. 13 meeting which begins at 7 p.m. at the district office 105 Casey Road - the budget work session is planned to start at 8:30 p.m. A budget public forum will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 at the district office. Another budget work session is planned for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, and the public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3.

Sweet Home Central School District

The next board meeting, where residents can address the board on issues, is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 in the Norman C. Vergils Community Room at Sweet Home High School, 1901 Sweet Home Road. The first comment period was on Jan. 9. The public hearing on the budget will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 1 in the board room.

Amherst Central School District

The next board meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 in the district office, room 251, at 55 Kings Highway. All meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are scheduled for Feb. 6 and 27; March 6 and 20; and April 3, 17 and 24. The budget public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 1.

All budget votes are held on May 15.