When does No mean No? Board fails to respond to issue of expenditures with zero appropriation
Guest Contribution by Arthur Green
During the contentious July 16 School Board meeting, there was one serious issue previously raised which was met with continued silence.
Budget law says that the voter’s No means No. When the town meeting (Deliberative plus the following general vote) sets the appropriation for a line item at zero, the district may not spend money on that item (RSA 32:10)…. unless the district follows the special procedures set out in RSA 32:11.
Today I sent the following letter to the School Board, the Superintendent, and the Budget Committee:
The Timberlane School District has to date not responded to the issue I raised in my June 5 presentation to the School Board, in which I pointed out budget lines where expenditures have been made although the annual meeting had voted zero appropriation.
Please provide the following details to substantiate compliance with NH budget law 32:11 for the situation when expending money for which no appropriation has been made:
Budget line 1600 115 Alternative/Continuing Education – Amount budgeted: $0, Amount expended to June 30: $6,348
- Date of expenditure
- Copy of the budget committee minutes approving application to the Commissioner of Education
- Copy of the application made to the Commissioner of Education, showing transmittal to the Department of Revenue Administration
- Copy of the Approval by the Commissioner of Education
Budget line 2620 441 Operating Buildings Services / Rental Land and Buildings – Amount budgeted: $0, Amount expended to June 30: $34,785
- Date of expenditure
- Copy of the budget committee minutes approving application to the Commissioner of Education
- Copy of the application made to the Commissioner of Education, showing transmittal to the Department of Revenue Administration
- Copy of the Approval by the Commissioner of Education
Budget line 2660 737 Security Services / Replacement Equipment – Amount appropriated: $0, Amount expended to June 30: $55,791
- Date of expenditure
- Copy of the budget committee minutes approving application to the Commissioner of Education
- Copy of the application made to the Commissioner of Education, showing transmittal to the Department of Revenue Administration
- Copy of the Approval by the Commissioner of Education
Thank you
timberlaneandsandown 