May 15, 2023
Darrel English requested a discussion and subsequent presentation of the potential benefits and drawbacks of categorical funding in schools, as the budget has only grown and may require categorical funding.
A common worry about categorical funding however is that it may inhibit the control of local areas to control their own policies after relying on these federal funds, and also reduce effectiveness of said policies through delay.
The discussion on categorical funding was decided to come back at a later point, but conversation among the board was spurred in the discussion of categorical funding.
This was a very ugly budget process, and I think we need to just let it go. Categorical funding does not accomplish what we think it will accomplish.
— Ms. Meg Bohmke
“I’ll talk to anybody about categorical funding until the cows come home. While maybe we didn’t have the greatest budget process with the school board and superintendent I don’t want that to set the precedent for our community, and I believe that we can do better. […] This was a very ugly budget process, and I think we need to just let it go. Categorical funding does not accomplish what we think it will accomplish.” Ms. Meg Bohmke, Falmouth District, said.
Mr. Thomas Coen, George Washington District, would echo the comments made by Bohmke and state his opinion on categorical funding, “The logistics of how it would be implemented puts a great strain on our staff. […] I understand where the rationale is coming from, but I don’t think it gets anybody where they really want to go on an issue such as this.”
Most of the board agreed that categorical funding could be more of a detriment than an aid, but would still require some discussion. As a result, the discussion was again planned for a later date.
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