Fiscal Responsibility Starts with Purpose, Not Just Process

This week, I had the opportunity to attend the Small Business Freedom Alliance meeting, where Dr. Clifford Thies shared an insightful presentation on how many of our nation's founders were not only visionaries but also businessmen. It reminded me that sound financial stewardship is at the heart of effective leadership especially in public service and must be rooted in sound financial principles. This is the mindset we need on the school board. 

As I continue to meet with concerned taxpayers throughout our community, I’m consistently hearing the same question: “How are we going to pay for all these great and noble ideas?” It’s a valid concern—and one I share deeply. 

Fiscal responsibility must be more than a buzzword. As a current member of the Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee, I’ve had a front-row seat to our school district’s budgeting process. I’ve learned a lot about what we’re doing right, and I’ve also seen where we have room to grow. Our current board, Dr. Hummer and our dedicated staff do a commendable job crafting a needs-based budget, but I believe it's time we dig deeper and move toward a purpose-based budget. 

What’s the difference? A needs-based budget answers “What do we need to keep the system running?” A purpose-based budget asks “What do we need to get the results we want—better outcomes for students?” This means: 

• Auditing our spending—looking at current and past budgets to uncover trends, inefficiencies, and areas where funds no longer deliver results.
• Focusing our dollars on the classroom—putting funds directly in support of students and teachers where they have the biggest impact.
• Ensuring competitive teacher pay—because retaining top talent is essential for strong student outcomes.
• Eliminating wasteful spending—by cutting programs that aren’t moving the needle on educational success.
• Aligning with the Strategic Plan 2030—which I believe Ms. Knight and the administration have laid out thoughtfully. I’m committed to helping bring that vision to life.

 This isn’t just about saying “no” to spending. It’s about saying “yes to smarter spending”—where every dollar serves a purpose and supports a result we can measure. I’m running for school board because I believe in accountability, not just for test scores or graduation rates—but for how we spend our community’s money. Fiscal responsibility starts by identifying the problem—and then bringing real, workable solutions. 

Let’s build a budget that works for students, teachers, and for taxpayers. 

Let’s lead with purpose. 

#Grassmuck4FCPS #SchoolBudget #FiscalResponsibility