In 1995, the superintendent of schools formed the Budget Advisory Council, known then as the Budget Advisory Committee, to provide for greater community involvement in the development of the proposed year's budget. 

The Budget Advisory Council is comprised of a wide diversity of stakeholders in the Rush-Henrietta Central School District community, including administrators, parents, representatives from organizations in the school district, residents, staff, students, teachers, and Rush-Henrietta Central School District union representatives. In addition, the Board of Education; superintendent of schools; assistant superintendent of school finance and operations; and the senior budget technician are ex-officio members of the council.

The Budget Advisory Council holds approximately four meetings each year. A chairperson, who reports to the superintendent of schools, is appointed as the facilitator of the meetings. The Budget Advisory Council provides a forum for stakeholders and the superintendent to share ideas and understandings necessary for the successful development of a budget, which best represents the values of the Rush-Henrietta Central School District community. The Budget Advisory Council charge, outlined below, provides a guideline for the council to assist the superintendent in an advisory capacity:

1. Provide suggestions and recommendations to the superintendent regarding the base budget, budget proposals, and additions and deletions to the budget.
2. Provide suggestions and recommendations to the superintendent regarding actions that can be taken to increase stakeholder involvement in the budget development process.
3. Provide suggestions and recommendations to the superintendent regarding actions that can be taken to improve the budget communication plan.
4. Critique the budget development process and recommend to the superintendent actions that can be taken to improve this process.

This cooperative effort assists the superintendent during budget development and offers the community stakeholders the opportunity to share in the assessment of this very important budget process.

For more information, please contact the Budget Advisory Council District Liaison, Andy Whitmore, Assistant Superintendent for School Finance and Operations, by calling (585) 359-5037.