Superintendent Involvement in Budget Development

Summary:

Our superintendent, in coordination with our CFO, campus principals, and program directors, guides the development of each year’s budget.

Some of the considerations are as follows:

1. analysis of previous budgets
2. review of needed adjustments made throughout the course of the year
3. short range needs
4. capital outlay expenditures

Our budget is driven by the goals identified by our DEIC (our site based decision making committee). Information is derived from campus principals as to the needs of each campus. Additionally, directors from support services are involved for needs serving multiple campuses. Common examples of this would be a transportation director with a need for multiple new buses for the district, or a maintenance director needing new roofs for structures.

The superintendent is ultimately responsible for being able to explain the budget to the board of trustees. To say they must be able to “defend” it sounds somewhat divisive. It is not the intention (in most cases) but is accurate in description none the less. They must be knowledgeable enough to be able to answer any questions and provide explanation when the budget is put before the board for approval. Hopefully, there is conversation prior to approval if there are any questionable components of it. Nobody likes surprises and most especially at board meetings. J

True involvement of stakeholders is critical in developing a working budget. Although our superintendent has an excellent working knowledge of the needs of our district on a macro level, no one has more intricate knowledge of the needs of individual campuses than our principals. Working together with counselors, team leaders, assistant principals, and coordinators, they work to bring a comprehensive campus budget for consideration in the district budget. It is in this way that budgets are most successful in our district. I’m not sure everyone gets everything they want, but they definitely get what they need.

Reflection:

None of this is much of a surprise to me as I have been around the budget process for more than a dozen years in various capacities. Although organized, it is a fairly detailed process. Additionally, movement of monies beyond their original functions requires board approval. Therefore, it is extremely important to get it right the first time in order to avoid snags. I believe our district does it right. The budget isn’t micromanaged, and the right stakeholders are allowed input.