School board members in the Davenport School District talked briefly during Monday night’s Committee of the Whole meeting about next year’s budget, along with the current $7.6 million in state funding cuts they are dealing with.

Next year, school officials are saying there’s a good possibility the state will not increase in funding and may instead hand down further reductions.

In its budget planning, Davenport board members asked administrators to develop a list of general fund expenses, broken down into three categories: core services, standard services and enhanced services.

Core services are necessary expenses that allow the district to meet federal, state or local laws.  Standard services go above what laws requires and have become standard offerings. Finally, enhanced services are not required but enhance district services.

Board members will use the list, which is far from being finalized, as they prioritize funding for next year’s budget.

The board asked administrators to further define the three areas. Board members will submit their input on whether the items listed under each category belongs there to the administration in the near future.

I’d be interested to hear what parents and community members think?