Committee restructuring has been discussed by the DeKalb school board since October, and as 2005 approaches, the board hopes to institute some of these changes.

During an October self-evaluation, the board discussed separating the finance and facilities advisory committee into two components, said district Superintendent Paul Beilfuss.

The separation would result in a financial advisory committee which would review the district’s budget and audit, he said.

The FAC would advise the board in financial matters, Beilfuss said, and also would assist in general financial planning, financial policies and impact analysis of legislation affecting education.

The facilities portion, which would be the facilities committee, would continue to advise the board on building issues.

“I was in favor of the changes simply because I think it is healthy to review the way things are done and try to align the processes to the current situations,” said board member Mike Griesbaum.

The plan also calls for the creation of two ad hoc committees.

The budget advisory task force would address the projected budget shortfall for 2005-06 and advise the board on allocation of resources.

School board President Tom Teresinski said he predicted a $2.5 million budget shortfall that would increase over the next five years.

Beilfuss said he hopes the committee could make recommendations for 2005-06 budget adjustments by January.

The second ad hoc committee would serve as a strategic planning committee.

The SPC would provide a plan to help guide and align future efforts to accomplish the school district’s mission and goals, Beilfuss said.

District 428 has received a proposal from The Cambridge Group, an Alabama-based educational strategic systems firm, to facilitate the development of a strategic plan.

“The proposed process is dynamic and has been implemented by a number of school districts throughout the nation,” Beilfuss said.

Teresinski said the work the school board has done without a long-term strategic plan, such as dealing with budget shortfalls, would be helped by the inception of the SPC.

Both committees would be composed of segments of the school and community population, Beilfuss said.

The committees would include stakeholders from the district, including parents/guardians and staff from elementary, middle and high schools.