“It will be a good way to build some new followers to our Graham Local Schools feed and to get people to share with us,” he said. “It is another way for us to be transparent and use social media to share with our audience.”
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Students and staff will also be asked to take part in the Twitter conversations. Those taking part in the conversation will be asked to use #GrahamSupChat in their tweets to answer questions from the superintendent, who can be found on Twitter as @GLSSuperFalcon.
Anyone can follow along on Twitter by searching #GrahamSupChat.
One of the topics that will be asked of residents is whether they would support a new school levy.
“This district went through a financial upheaval in 2011 and in 2012,” Koennecke said. “The district has had to cut a lot of money in its budget. That has put us in a tight spot.”
Graham’s five-year forecast says by 2019, the district won’t be able to sustain it current operations without additional funding. That’s because of the rising costs of school supplies, personnel and anticipated cuts in state aid, according to that forecast.
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The district took in almost $3 million more than it spent in fiscal year 2014, according to its forecast, and $350,000 more in 2015. However, the five-year forecast shows that the the school district’s expenditures rose nearly $700,000 this fiscal year and are projected to rise in the next five years.
The five-year forecast is required by law and designed so leaders get a sense of where the district is financially. The forecast often projects worst-case scenarios but is important so schools can anticipate future issues.
Also to be discussed on Tuesday is the district’s use of technology and some building design questions. Koennecke said he wants community input to make sure everyone understands Graham’s goals.
LIKE REPORTER PARKER PERRY ON FACEBOOK HERE AND ON TWITTER HERE
The district has used Twitter to gather opinions of students previously, he said, and it was a success.
At least one person is excited for the #GrahamSupChat. John Carder, or @Carder_John, expressed his excitement in a tweet using the hash tag.
“So proud of how far @GLSSuperFalcon has come with Twitter!” he wrote. “From nothing to leading #GrahamSupChat April 11! All grown up!”
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