While staff from the city and the school district often work together, for example, in the area of joint purchasing, it is difficult to do this with financing. The city and the school district are governed by different laws. Many factors enter into decisions to put levies or bond issues before voters. It is up to the voters to decide which projects they will support. The finances of a school district are very specifically defined and highly regulated by law.
Any citizen has access to the district's budget and financial accounting reports.
The Gazette publishes payments and receipts, the Certified Annual Financial Report is on the district web site and available in hard copy, and financial reports are included at every board meeting. Special times for public comment on the budget are publicized in the media - although citizen comment is welcomed at any board meeting. The district is audited annually by an independent firm and monitored by a community audit committee that includes representatives from local financial companies. For several years, the district has received national recognition for excellence in financial reporting from two national professional organizations. If a bond issue is passed by voters, the community audit committee could be responsible for monitoring how the bond funds are spent.