Top 5 Events on the Budget Timeline

Consensus
1.  Creating the timeline of the budget process including the updated dates.  This would also include the area of planning.  These things are critical in order to make the process run smoothly from beginning to end.

2.  The input from all stakeholders helps in the planning and direction of the budget.  This should include projections of sources of funding from all sources available.  There should be an exhaustive effort to find all sources of funding as this will allow for the best projection of what the district will have available for the coming school year.  Input from stakeholders will help district administration plan for what the important goals are for the next school year and how to make those goals a reality on the financial end.  

3.  Budget requests are also needed in order to see what the different campuses and different departments will need to be able to meet the new year's requirements.  These budget requests must be prioritized and could also be cut in order to meet the need of a balanced budget.  

4.  The budget hearing process is used to allow the community a chance to see the budget and then to voice any concerns they may have.  Following the budget hearing, the school board will then meet to adopt the budget for the coming school year.

5.  The tax rate is set following the adoption of the budget.  The setting of the tax rate will allow the local assessor to provide the most accurate figures to the school district.  This will be the tax rate used to fund the new budget.

Shawn Clubb

1. Creating a budget development plan.

This lists critical dates for the development of the budget. In order to have the final budget ready for approval by August 31 it is important for all stakeholders to know when they need to have their part of the budget ready.

2. Input from campuses and central office departments.

Evaluation of input from campuses and central office departments need to be analyzed to align programs, performance goals and funds needed to drive them.

3. Review of the budget by the board

The superintendent presents the preliminary budget to the board, usually during budget workshops. This is important because the board must come to a consensus on the priorities of the budget and provide feedback of their revisions to district personnel.

4. Board of Trustees meeting to approve the budget.

Final budget is approved. This must be done by August 31 according to state mandate. This is important for all groups. By knowing what the budget is funding each stakeholder can plan for what their allocated money is to be spent on.

5. Board of Trustees Meeting to Adopt Tax Rate

This is where the new budget is funded.

Trevor Edgemon

1.) During the budget process you must first get the calendar of dates.  You need to be able to have a set calendar when each piece of the budget needs to be finished.  We are given an example in our resources but after interviewing my superintendent and speaking to two other superintendents, I realized the calendar is not the same for all districts  

2.) My next issue would be to get projections of funding.  What will you have to work with next year?  Some schools have business officers, contract financial advisors, and some of them are just the superintendent.  This incorporates setting tax rate for local income, upcoming WADA, and income from federal programs.

3.) Input from all stakeholders.  This is a process that is ongoing throughout the year.  My school district begins to look at the budget in March.  During this time the stakeholders review budget process and have the opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas for the next year’s budget.  

4.) The next issue is the budget hearings.  The community is given public notice to when the hearings and Adoption will take place. This gives community members the opportunity to see the budget before it is adopted and voice any concerns.  During this time you will finalize the tax rate.  

5.) Follow the budget. Be prepared to cut if income is changed or an unforeseen expense occurs.  Save money when possible.  Plan for next year and in the future for big one time cost like buildings, buses, or big construction projects.  I know this does not sound like a professional educational statement but after interviewing my superintendent this is a statement many schools do not follow.

Jay Cantrell

1.  Planning before the budget process begins.  With a concerted effort here, the budget process can be much smoother.  By allowing for input in the planning process from stakeholders, such as the Board of Trustees and staff members, the business manager and superintendent can get a clearer vision before starting of their final destination in the budget process.  Planning also includes the goals needing to be met by the district.  Without these goals, you do not have a goal driven budget.

2.  August 31 (or June 30 if the district uses a July 1 fiscal year start date) is the date by which the Board of Trustees must approve the budget for the coming school year.  This date is important since it allows for all stakeholders to know what their budgets will look like for the year. 

3.  Campus budget request submissions are a big part of the process.  Without these requests, district administration cannot try to piece a budget together that involves multiple campuses, multiple needs and multiple opinions on the best way to reach the district goals.

4.  The public budget hearing allows for community stakeholders to have a voice in the budget process.  This time is used for individuals or even groups to come together before the board legally adopts the budget.

5.  Setting the tax rate for the year is another important event of the budget process and has all kinds of asterisks out beside it.  The tax rate allows the local assessor to calculate the taxes on each property to provide the district with the appropriate figures.