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Consultants tell school board to start budget process earlier, simplify materials and require ongoing reporting
Summary
Consultants who reviewed East Baton Rouge Parish’s budget process recommended earlier public engagement, simpler communications linking spending to board priorities and a new ongoing financial reporting policy. The board discussed midyear reviews and multi‑year planning but took no formal action.
Consultants working with the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board presented findings and recommendations aimed at making the district’s budget process more accessible and more aligned with board priorities.
Jessica Swanson, a consultant leading the review, told the board the work aimed to “help you see that in the budget” how money reflects priorities. Natalie Treadgold, who led the community engagement work, said the review drew on document reviews, interviews with all board members, 10 senior staff interviews and community input from 36 schools and about 200 survey respondents.
The consultants’ three headline findings were: limited opportunities for meaningful input on the budget timeline; highly detailed budget documents that are not accessible to all audiences; and the lack of an explicit policy on ongoing financial reporting. Swanson said the district has “a lot of data” but recommended simplifying presentations so “lots of different audiences” can understand how resources connect to priorities.
Why it matters: Board members said clearer, earlier budget information could let the public and the board influence decisions before budgets are finalized. Vice President Godet summarized the issue: “Data and information are not the same thing,” and urged shifting emphasis from purely meeting statutory and audit requirements toward budgeting that highlights strategic priorities.
Recommendations presented included starting the public process earlier, adding structured engagement opportunities (including asynchronous online options and text polling), showing multi‑year budget views and a clear line between strategic‑plan goals and spending, and establishing a predictable monthly or quarterly financial report comparing year‑to‑date spending to prior years.
Board discussion focused on practical changes. A board member suggested publishing a midyear comparison so the board can reallocate funds while there is still time in the fiscal year. Staff said they are already developing an executive summary, a community budget guide (linked by QR code in the presentation) and a one‑page summary to accompany the 2026 budget release.
The consultants also proposed policy edits: incorporate annual review of spending and outcomes into the district’s annual operating budget policy, and adopt a standing financial‑reporting policy so the board and public know what reports to expect and when.
No formal motion or vote was taken on the presentation; staff said consultants will work with district finance and engagement teams on an action plan for 2026 and 2027 and will return to the board with written updates and materials.
