Additional Stakeholder Input in the Budgeting Process

I had the opportunity to visit with the Assistant Superintendent for Finance of my district.  He spoke very strongly as to the need for a strong support structure within the district for successful budget development.  The idea of clear communications became central to our discussion, just as it did during my conversations with the Superintendent.

I asked him about the contributions each of the following individuals or groups could provide toward the budget process.  I have summarized his responses below.

Central Office Administrators and Staff

The Central Office is very important to the process.  It is there that major curriculum and initiative decisions are made.  Those decisions require funds.  The Central Office personnel put together their “wish list” for the following year.  The “wish list” must be simpatico with the Vision of the Board and utilize data-based decisions to be considered.  If the Assistant Superintendent for C & I agrees, we make every attempt to fund appropriately.

Principals

Principals know best what they require at their campus.  They are in a position to work closely with students, teachers, and community stakeholders to develop local plans.  Principals submit budgetary requests through their assigned Executive director for C & I for consideration.  From there, the decisions are made by Central Office personnel.

Site Based Decision Making Committees (SBDM)

Site Based Committees work with the Principal to develop campus plans.  The Principal serves as the mouthpiece for the SBDM in dealings with Central Office personnel.  The SBDM assists the Principal to determine how funds should be spent locally.

District Improvement Committee

The district Improvement committee largely works to develop the District Improvement Plan, but has very little to do with the budget process.

Teacher Organizations

Play no role in the development of the budget.

Key Stakeholders

Everyone on this list is considered a “Key Stakeholder”.  If by “Key Stakeholder” the implication is parents and community leaders, then they play a limited role.  Key Stakeholders serve on both SBDM and District Improvement Committees (see notes above).  Key Stakeholders may, however, speak at Board meetings and initiate conversations among District leadership and Board members that could ultimately lead to budgetary line-items.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees sets forth their Vision and approves the budget annually.  The Board works collaboratively with the Superintendent to develop a budget to best serve the students of the ISD.  While it is the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop the budget, the Board must formally and legally appropriate the funds.

As I reflected on his responses, I began to differ to some degree.  I agree largely with his responses concerning the Board, Central Office, District Improvement Committee, and Teacher Organizations.  I do not fully agree with his responses concerning Principals, SBDM, and Key Stakeholders.  My thoughts follow on these follow:

Principals

Principals typically told what funds will be made to them in the form of an allotment.  Their faculty allocation is given to them based upon enrollment projections and course assignments.  Additional financial allotments are left to the discretion of the Principal for allocation to departments as well as any discretionary funds.  In my experience, any reference to Principals as active members of the actual budgetary planning process are lacking.

Principals are expected to manage the resources that they are awarded and to “make it happen.”  Principals are required to submit a budget request to their superiors each spring for consideration.  In that budget request they may request additional funds allocations, but as for true decision-making, they have little to none.

Site Based Decision Making Committees (SBDM)

In “real life” our SBDMs have nothing to do with budgets or true decisions at the campus level.  The SBDM largely serves as a conduit for communication and a sounding board for the Principal concerning upcoming plans.

Key Stakeholders

See my remarks concerning SBDM directly above.

In the end, our District serves its constituents well.  The needs of our students come first and all stakeholders work diligently to provide the best education possible through an appropriate allocation of funds.