School Finance Week 2 Assignment Part 5

Stakeholder input is very important and I am sure that each district accomplishes these tasks in a multitude of ways.  In my district there is not as much site-based budgeting as probably recommended, but many efforts are made to seek participation and receive feedback to encourage buy in for the budget process. 

Concerning central office administrators and staff, these individuals play a large role in process from beginning to end.  They also provide tremendous support to campus principals in the development of the budget on each campus.

Principals are involved in the process because they are responsible for preparing their campus’ budget and provided feedback and request concerning current and future programming.  Principals utilize campus leaders, teachers, and the site-based committee to help make the necessary decisions for the budget.

Site-based and district improvement are involved in the discussion several times during the year and provide guidance to the campus level or district level administrators.

Teacher organizations have little or no input according to the superintendent.  Campus administrators are expected to share and have dialogue with campus teacher leaders about budgetary issues.  Also campus administrators should share and provide information at regularly faculty meetings or through memoranda. 

Community members and other stakeholders have little to no input in the budgetary process.  This part of the process is not volunteered, but often concerned community members voice their concerns at board meetings or through various forms of media.

The board of trustees role is focused on attending budget workshops, budget reviews, dialogue at board meetings according to the set agenda, and of course the adoption process.

Reaction:

Through this process I have learned a lot about how the State, local governments, and school districts manage or should manage their budgetary process.  Our district’s process could definitely use more of the site-based budgeting approach, but honestly the system works and there are many people who have a part in the process, although not directly.  The boards of trustees represent the constituents concerns and desires and usually voice their concerns through this method.