Top+5+Events+In+Developing+a+Budget

1. Around the end of January or early February, the Finance Department will provide each principal and district level department leader with a projected budget amount. They are given approximately six weeks to determine how those funds will be utilized depending on their campus needs assessment.

2. Around the middle of March, budgets should be submitted. The Finance Department compiles all budgets district-wide and presents that information to the Superintendent and Cabinet by the first of April.

3. The Superintendent and Cabinet review the budgets that have been submitted to ensure that they align with the district mission and goals. They then look at the expected income from all funding sources including current tax rolls, State/TEA, grant, and federal monies. Once they know the projections for monies going out and monies coming in, they begin to make reductions as necessary or possible additions such as cost of living increase, additional teaching units, etc.

4. The Superintendent will conduct a series of budget workshops with the Board of Trustees in May and June to discuss the budget planning process, fiscal matters, and how it relates to the district strategic and improvement plan. Adjustments may be more frequent in years when the Legislature meets.

5. The Board of Trustees adopts the budget for the upcoming school year no later than the end of August. Technically, no money can be expended as of September 1 if the budget is not approved.

Reasons for choosing these:

The top five events in the budget process were identified by my wiki group because we feel that having deadlines make leaders abide by certain timelines and have their input ready by a certain date. Setting dates allows for accountability for all leaders involved in the budget process. Another reason we chose these five were that all stakeholders have a voice in the process of developing the district budget. Giving stakeholders the opportunity to voice their opinions helps give buy-in from all community members so they understand why we are implementing certain things to improve the school district. Lastly, this process needs consistency and direction. Having things due in certain time frames allow this process to become consistent so all members involved understand how it works and what is involved in the budget process. Developing a district budget is a process that must be checked and understood because many steps are involved in creating the budget but as long as we are aware of the steps, all members can ensure we are prepared and have the documentation ready when it is due. In doing this, each person involved is held accountable for their input and their opinions. This allows for a collaborative effort in creating the School District’s Budget.

This process has given me the understanding of how all personnel involved play a vital role in the development of the school district’s budget. If we did not set timelines and hold people accountable, we may never be able to set the budget in a timely fashion. This process also involves many people and having the input of several individuals gives different perspectives on ideas that are coming into the district. Sometimes, multiple perspectives are pooled together to create one great plan. Giving stakeholders a voice to explore many different ideas can also help create a collaborative group within our school district whose primary purpose is to develop goals to improve the instruction at our campuses. The process of budget development also must be consistent because being consistent means that all leaders involved know what to expect and when it is due. I believe that it takes a team to create a budget.