The proposed school budget was presented using a method called zero based budgeting at the January 25 school board meeting. The benefit of this method is more transparency and accountability to the taxpayer. The public can see the additional funding requests above current levels line by line. It reduces potential waste, fraud, and abuse.

This is a positive development. Yes, the budget presented showed a deficit but that is the point. The school division can go to the Board of Supervisors and justify the additional funding request with specific line by line needs. It reduces the possibility of misappropriation of funds.

Some on the left, the media, and school board member Dawn Shelley express outrage over this. None of them rebut the benefits of zero-based budgeting. They just express outrage. Below are some articles that explain the benefits of zero-based budgeting.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/z/zbb.asp

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/zero-based-budgeting-explained

https://www.cohencpa.com/insights/articles/how-zero-based-budgeting-and-rolling-forecasts-can