Every September, the Team Selma finance team led by our Chief Schools Financial Officer Mrs. Grindal Harris, presents our comprehensive annual budget. This year our two budget hearings will be held on September 2 and 7 and we welcome the public to join. We meet at Selma High at 4:30 pm for the hearings.
These hearing are important. They give a detailed overview of how we are spending our local, state and federal funds. From sales taxes to teacher allocations, there are many layers to our general fund budget. Mr. Rafael Simmons, our Director of Federal Programs and Strategic Planning will review how each of our federal title programs are being used to support teaching and learning, technology resources and professional development.
Budget hearings are set as part of a regular board meeting and the public has an opportunity to speak. This is required along with other state guidelines. For example, the total amount of resources that are available to the board must be shared. Along with that, the projected numbers of teachers, guidance counselors, media specialists and other certified positions will be detailed. Join us to be a part of the process.
As previously mentioned, we are relaunching our Framework for Excellence Strategic Plan this fall. Project teams continue meeting to update our strategic plan in preparation for the relaunch later this fall. Recently we began sharing accomplishments from the past three years of plan implementation. This will continue until the plan is recommended for board approval.
We are excited to add a new area to our plan, Safety and Wellness. The pandemic has reminded us that it is imperative to address holistic needs. This area will focus on self-care, wellness and even evaluating and positively impacting community trauma. We are even exploring adding Yoga and new sports options.
On September 23, we will host a strategic planning summit to share our updated goals and direction publicly. This will give the entire Selma community a chance to learn more about the plan and to provide feedback that will then inform the completion prior to the official relaunch of our Framework for Excellence.
Each week, we routinely monitor the Covid-19 data to include the vaccination rates in our state and positivity rates in our county. Are you fully vaccinated? If not, there are numerous opportunities in our community to learn more and to receive the vaccination which is the best tool that we have to diminish the impact that this virus has on the families in Selma and Dallas County.
We remain optimistic about resuming a sense of normalcy during this school year and to support this we encourage our scholars over the age of 12 and Team members get vaccinated. Check out our website and social media outlets for information on vaccination clinics and our detailed Return to Excellence Reopening Plan. We also encourage you to join us in Doing Our Part Everyday. Stay safe and be DOPE!
For
more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org
