Dear Neighbors,

It's that time of year again when the Anchorage School District begins to work on next year's budget. This is a very important process for the entire community, whether you have children in school or not. There are two ways for you to become more informed and more involved.

Review the Anchorage School District Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

Each year the district's finances are audited. Copies of this report are available on the district's web site at http://www.asdk12.org/depts/budget/0304/CAFR, and also at public libraries.

Participate in Next Year's Budget Development Process

Community input is an essential part of developing each year's budget. While budget review teams have been used in past years, the school district does not use them every year due to the amount of time required for the process.

This year's Budget Development Process will rely on last year's budget review team reports and will be supplemented with testimony from three different Town Hall Meetings.

The following Town Hall Meetings will be held at 7:00 PM:

Thursday, November 4 - Girdwood School Multipurpose Room
Tuesday, November 9 - Chugiak High Auditorium
Wednesday, November 10 - Wendler Middle School Multipurpose Room

You can also send in your comments through the district website at http://www.asdk12.org/depts/budget/comments/ or fill out a suggestion form available in schools and other district buildings.

You can find more information about the Anchorage School District's budget, and previous year's budgets, at http://www.asdk12.org/depts/budget/.

I hope you will get involved in this vital community issue.

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