Tax dollars go to the schools. If you've wondered why school costs are rising, and why the school budget sparks debate, this is the event for you. Come and learn where Lexington public funds come from, where they go, the factors that drive budget increases, and the mechanics of budget decision-making and priority setting. Join the Lexington Education Foundation and the League of Women Voters for a forum on:

THE DYNAMICS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING
Thursday, January 22, 2004, 7:30 p.m.
Clarke Middle School Auditorium, 17 Stedman Road, Lexington

Moderated by the League of Women Voters, State Representative Jay Kaufman will be attending. The forum will include a 40-minute Q/A session and feature four panelists:

• Deb Brown, Chair, Appropriations Committee, on town finance: where funds come from, where they are currently spent, factors driving budget increases.
• John Rosenberg, Capital Expenditures Committee, on school capital and building status.
• Scott Burson, School committee member, on the process by which School Committee works with the community and town committees to set budget priorities.
• Peter Enrich, education funding specialist, on Lexington's internal process of budget negotiation, and overview of state funding issues.