The Board’s role in fiscal oversight is explicitly circumscribed by both policy and law. Furthermore, the Office of Business and Finance, led by CFO Mary Jo Gruber, is staffed by talented and credentialed financial professionals who work closely with the Superintendent and other upper-level administrators and staff to oversee the District’s finances. The BOE is responsible for analyzing and approving budgets. In this capacity, the BOE plays a vital role in oversight. At the same time, however, fiscal oversight is just one part of the BOE’s multi-part mandate and one that, again, is clearly circumscribed. While we must act as responsible stewards of our school’s financial resources, I believe that it is not the role of the BOE or individual board members to seek to dominate fiscal policy or become overly involved in the activities of the Office of Business and Finance.
On a related note, I believe that it is worth stating that Clayton’s world-class teachers are our single most valuable asset and the heart of our success. We will only remain a top-rated school district in the state and one of the best in the nation if we continue to recruit and retain the very best teachers. This means offering the most competitive salaries and benefits packages–an investment that is returned many times over by having the most qualified, motivated teachers in the region. Conversely, our teachers can never be left feeling undervalued, expendable, or easily replaced. This creates a slippery slope in which the District’s standing as a desirable, sought-after place for teachers to work could quickly vanish, resulting in dire consequences for our schools.