CENTERING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TO INCREASE PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING ENGAGEMENT

This research and study explores how school districts can design, develop, and implement family and community budget development spaces for families and community members to increase the quantity and quality of public comment in district-level budget hearings. In December 2023, a Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) parent and researcher conducted a 90-minute family and community budget development workshop for PGCPS stakeholders. The workshop was designed to build fundamental knowledge and understanding of the district’s budget framework and annual development process, to build participant confidence and skill in applying key local budgeting concepts, and to provide strategies for developing impactful public comment. The ultimate goal of the workshop intervention was to increase family and community engagement, as measured by the quantity of public comment made by workshop participants at the district’s public budget hearing. In January and February 2024, a PGCPS parent and researcher observed the district’s three public hearings to determine if any workshop participants entered public comment into the public record at the hearings. Findings: The intervention was unsuccessful, and no workshop intervention participants commented publicly at any of the district’s FY25 budget budget hearings. However, several recommendations to further iterate and refine the design and marketing of the workshop are explored.

Keywords: community engagement, public participation, budget development, adult learning