BRAINERD SCHOOLS WANT FINANCIAL ADVICE

Brainerd School District officials have decided they'd like a little help with long-term budget challenges and will form an financial advisory committee. Five years ago, the district had more than $5-Million in an unreserved fund balance. Next year's fund balance will be in the red. School Business Manager Steve Dickinson told the Brainerd Dispatch that the committee will be five or six community volunteers with financial backgrounds, will meet once a month, and make suggestions about the district's budget process. The committee may be formed at the next board meeting, on January 2nd. The district has to trim $5.5-Million from next year's budget. The Brainerd board had a similar committee in 2001. That committee met for about a year.