Open Letter to Board of Trustees

To: Board of Trustees
Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District

Dear Trustee:

It is unfortunate that the board of trustees depended primarily on representations made by the district administration, and did not seek input and expertise in the community. The board of trustees restricted public disclosures and input to the minimum required by law. Considering the district is facing a significant tax rate next year, it is imperative that the board of trustees include the community in the budget process. The district’s budget should reflect the values and the priorities of the community.

The Board of Trustees should publish all financial reports, supplemental data and financial plan submitted to the TEA on the district web site. Obviously, the community has a right to know how the their money is spent, the Board of Trustees should require that district join the over 300 school districts in Texas and publish the district’s check register on the district web site. Because of continuing financial challenges facing the district, financial information will become more transparent to the public either through the TEA web site, or through numerous document requests made under the Texas Public Information Act, Chapter 552, Texas Government Code. It is my hope that the board of trustees will take the lead on greater financial transparency.