Additional Stakeholders - Budget Process

     A superintendent must address all the different stakeholders input regarding budget to understand their position and meet the financial needs of the district.  My superintendent pointed out that now he asks what are you really using and what can you live without. He has made it very clear in the district that if you are not using it for the benefit of the students, then you don’t need it for the next school year. The district must again make major adjustments for the budget to balance and the district cannot afford to lose much more employees. The superintendent is currently in the process of developing a task course committee made of staff from each campus, students, parents, and community members to explain where we are and what needs to be done. He wants the perspective of this task force to be part of the budget process decision making for the next school year.

      My reaction to the current situation is that everyone is part of the budget process. Every employee must use their current resources efficiently and find ways to not spend unnecessary money. I do believe our principals are working closely with their departments/leadership campus teams to analysis and review how things regarding the budget are being done. I can remember just a short while back with the stimulus money asking for “wish lists” from campuses. The community members are personally feeling financial cutbacks and are actually showing a concern and interest in school finance.  Our board is reporting of parents and community members asking questions about the changes from last year’s cuts and what cuts are to be expected for next year. Parents, staff, board members, and community members are feeling the ripple effect from last year’s changes and are anxious about the upcoming year. We are experiencing difficult financial times and everyone is going to be uncomfortable as we weather this storm together. However, as educators we will see that our students are successful.

    

     The following is the input considered while working on the budget:

·         Central Office Administrators and Staff:  The cost and/or additional cost of web base programs, service agreements, insurance increase, and any additional expenses that may be needed. The costs of professional development, district programs, and technology upgrades.

·         Principals: Principals wants the best for their campus. The costs of the programs and equipment they use on campus. Any maintenance or building improvements to enhance their campus. The principals work to ensure their teachers have the materials, supplies, and training they may need for the upcoming year.

·         The Site-Based and District Improvement Committee focuses on student achievement for the most part and seeing that all students are represented in the planning process of their plans. The allocations of the budget are included, but the actual dollar amount is not their concern. The assumption that funding will be available to reach the goals. Sometimes a strategy or activity is in the plan and during the budget process this will be considered to find the funding from another department or funding source.

·         Teacher Organizations and Key Stakeholders are usually groups looking in from the outside.  They are passion on an issue and they can be your best friend or greatest enemy. These groups must be kept informed of what is going on and have them involved on some school and district committees. We must gain trust and be open with our communications.

·         Board of Trustees: The board has the obligations that the school district spends the money wisely. Their questions and input are welcomed. The board is the eyes of watching the funds and budgets. The revenues and expenditures are looked at closely each month by the board.

·         Food Service, Maintenance, and Transportation are other areas that must also be included in the budget process. Each of these departments has unique financial needs that can be difficult to fund and maintain.