TEA Budgeting Guidlines

After reviewing the TEA Budgeting Guidelines, I better understand how the budget reflects the values of the school district. The school district sets goals based on their mission and vision, and the school district funds activities that will accomplish their goals. The budget should be the product of a planning process. One of the objectives of budgeting is accountability to the taxpayers. Since we in a since oversee taxpayers’ money, we should budget conservatively. The three major phases of the budget process are: planning, preparation, and evaluation. Funds must be used in a way that will help the district reach its goals that are aligned with its vision. The budget must be evaluated as to its effectiveness in accomplishing the district’s goals. There are several legal requirements for the development of the budget. Almost all of a school district’s revenue is a combination of local and state aid. Federal funds and grants supplement local and state funds but only make up a small fraction of the entire budget. It is important for superintendents to know how to forecast and plan for expenditures, revenue, and (ADA/WADA) student enrollment. The ability to manage the funds of a district effectively and efficiently is crucial to the success of your school district. This entire process cannot be done efficiently without the help and support of all stakeholders. The budget is the foundation for your district. It can make you or break you.