The school update presented at this week’s special called BoS meeting was just what we have been asking for: Accountability and Transparency. 

A ‘Students first’ philosophy, fiscal restraint, policies and practices, and budget analysis down to line item detail have come at last to Northumberland County.

First and importantly, our Superintendent, Dr. Leslie, is requiring her staff to justify school expenditures in terms of how the spending will benefit students. Second, county Finance Director Dr. Anne Curran is establishing policies and procedures that require spending controls and transparency, balancing check books (!) and planning for the future. And third, volunteer Financial Liaison, Dr. Pica is performing detailed analysis of past expenses and bringing ALL the information to the BoS in her reports.  In her spare time Dr. Pica has also developed budget guidance and forms that can be used not just for the school budget, but for the county budget as well.  (The budget package will be used for the school budget this year – a decision on using it for the county is pending.)

These three highly qualified, talented people and their teams seem to be willing to do whatever it takes to create efficient, accurate and accountable systems that benefit our county students, teachers and taxpayers. For the first time in a long time, the spotlight on school finances shows real progress identifying the problems of the past and adjusting school culture and systems to make sure those issues don’t resurface.  “We’ve always done it this way” is no longer an acceptable answer if “We’ve always done it this way” isn’t the right way.

Keep in mind that Dr. Curran has only been on board for two weeks and Dr. Pica has been volunteering for only a month so the County management of school finances is still in the beginning phase but we are cautiously optimistic that this transformation will accelerate over the next few months.  Dr. Leslie had to spend many hours at the beginning of her tenure dealing with financial issues.  Now that those issues  appear to be in the capable hands of the new County Finance team, imagine what Dr. Leslie will be able to accomplish for our students!

If you missed the meeting or just want to review it, here’s the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqbg0kc1q-Q

The finance department review document used in the presentation is here:

https://go.boarddocs.com/va/nuc/Board.nsf/files/DMWJBF4C60AD/$file/October%2029%20Board%20Report.pdf