The Rockville Centre Board of Education is moving toward establishing a finance advisory committee that would give the board input on the district’s financial planning and capital projects.
The committee would provide a way for community members with relevant expertise to advise the board as it develops a five-year financial plan and a five-year capital plan.
“The goals are very, very concrete,” Superintendent Matthew Gaven said. “The goals are create the five-year financial plan [and] create the five-year capital plan with public input.”
The committee would be created through a Board of Education resolution. The proposal was discussed at the board’s Sept. 10 meeting, but the resolution has not yet been adopted. Gaven said the idea grew out of discussions held by the board last year about financial and budgetary oversight.
The committee would have five members and meet regularly with district officials throughout the year. Members would review the development of the financial and capital plans and provide advice that could be considered by the board.
Gaven said the committee would not replace opportunities residents have to provide input at Board of Education meetings or by contacting district officials. Instead, it would give the district another way to draw on community expertise.
“We will have discussed this with that five-member advisory committee, sought their advice, got their advice and incorporated their feedback as appropriate into those presentations,” Gaven said.
The district is looking for residents with backgrounds that could help with the committee’s work. Gaven said experience in public finance would be highly valued, along with backgrounds in finance, architecture, physical plant management or accounting.
Applicants also would have to meet ethical and confidentiality requirements. They could not have a direct or indirect financial interest in district contracts, and they could not have an immediate relative who is a district employee or officer.
Committee members would be required to maintain confidentiality because they could receive information that has not yet been made public.
Trustee Mary Beth Joyce encouraged residents with relevant professional experience to consider serving on the committee.
“I’m strongly supportive of this,” she said. “I had a lot of people who reached out to me during the last year we held campaigns and elections who were very interested in getting more involved in the district finances and really working a lot of attention. So I would really encourage people to consider doing this.”
The proposal comes as the district begins a school year following a difficult budget process. In January, district officials projected a $3.78 million gap in the 2026-27 budget, prompting discussions about reductions. The final $141.3 million budget, approved by voters in May, included a 2.06 percent tax levy increase and staffing reductions, while 13 positions were restored.
The budget vote also brought two new members to the Board of Education. Joyce and Christa Dorrego won the two available three-year seats in May. They joined a board after months of public discussion about spending, staffing and the budget.
The proposed finance committee would add another avenue for community participation as the board works on longer-term financial planning.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations William Herman explained that two committee members would also serve on the board’s audit committee. The district works with external, internal and claims auditors as part of its regular financial oversight.
Applicants are asked to submit a letter of interest and completed disclosure form to Gaven and Herman at FinanceCommittee@rvcschools.org.
Gaven said he expects to update the board on the status of applications at its Sept. 24 work session. A resolution establishing the committee is also expected to be presented at that meeting.
