Show Me the Money

Demetrick Williams – SuperintendentDerrick Thompson – Business AdministratorChristina Bucci - PrincipalCaleb Rhodes - TeachersMarie Brinks - Public

Superintendent by Demetrick Williams

They are in charge of starting the process.They collect all mini budgets from either

every school or department.Along with the business administrator,

they then review the budgets.After they approve the mini budgets, it is

presented to the board for approval.It is presented to the public.

Superintendent

Recommendations to improve the role in the budget process:Try to keep every one on the same agenda

working towards the same goalsTry to involve teachers in the process moreThe current formula that the state uses for

funding each district must be changedThe structure that is used to tell the wealth of

the district is needs to be reviewedThe state needs to give full funding

Superintendent

Recommendations to improve the role of each stakeholder:

Have public meetings through the entire process so that the public has a better understanding of each part of the budget

Have a full break down of cost for each part of the budget so that the parents can see where all of the money is going

Develop new ways of getting the public educated about the school and the budget making process

SuperintendentEducating the public: By allowing different groups to use the school facilities, they will

see the actual condition of the buildings or the fields so they will understand if something comes up in the budget for new facilities

Try to run as many programs after school and during the summer months for the elderly. At every one of these events explain to the public that these programs

will not be available if everyone does not support the budget. It will also be important to try and give them a break down of cost to

run all of the wonderful programs that they like so very much. Ex: programs, cooking, dances, dinners, sewing, computer technology,

stock trading, and travel programs Throughout the budget making process, invite the public into give

them an update on how the budget is going They would be given all of the mini budgets from each school or

department so that they could see where the money is being spent They will be given the facilities budget to compare it with what they got

in the summer time. This way they can see all of the numbers right in front of them.

Business Administrator by Derrick Thompson

Prepare and review process of all school budgets and pupil transportation contracts

Review and formulate recommendations for approval of all budgets and cap waivers

Assist county superintendent in mediating budgets between district and municipal officials

Collect budget information from school principals

Provide financial data to the building principals Provide technical assistance to school districts

on all aspects of school law and finance

Business Administrator

Budget Process

Similarities between districts1-2 budgets passed in the past five years;Educators are convinced there is no way

to cut taxes

Business Administrator

Budget Process

Variations between districtsThere is no voting in vocational schools.Health insurance, tuition, public utilities are

costs that drive up the budget.In a vocational school major stakeholders

are freeholders and county superintendent.

Business Administrator

Recommendations for improvement: involve the public early in the process have informative meetings to voice issues (very

important) create a budget committee (use members who

influence others) develop a budget brochure share decision making with everyone implement the district goals by using careful and

meaningful management planning

Business Administrator

Educating the public: An itemized financial report detailing why

the increases are necessary will be

prepared and distributed to the public

How to cut costs without increasing taxes: Use information technology to reduce manpower needed in

activities such as payroll and clerical support Use internet technology to reduce costs in supplies and

textbooks Standardize building materials such as copy machines. This

allows you to buy in large quantities and keep a smaller supply of parts

Principalby Christina Bucci

Design the budget for the school Uses the budget from the previous year as a guide Asks teachers for needs/wish list Collect individual department budgets

Some superintendents create the budget and then pass it down to the principal and the principal has to use it.

Implementation of the budget Oversee ordering of supplies

Principal

Recommendations: Do not allow the public to vote. Allow the public to vote on county and town

taxes. Process is too slow. Collaborate and trade services, supplies, and

transportation with other principals in the district.

Give money to what will find political favor.

Principal

How to inform the public:Allow the town to use the school facilities

for town functions.The principal should be present at town

functions outside of the school. Have grandparents day/ family day at the

school to bring people in and see a regular school day.

Teachersby Caleb Rhodes

Limited understanding of the entire budget process

Small role in the budget processRequesting itemsRequesting more money

Rarely attend school board meetingsFeel the budget process needs to be

more defined

Teachers

Recommendations for improvement: Give teachers a greater role in the

processCreate committees that meet with Super/BA

Be informed about exactly how much money is available

If cuts need to be made, teachers should have some input

Teachers

Recommendations to better educate the public:

Discuss the school budget in appropriate classes

Have students create a project dealing with the school budget

Have students write about the importance of passing the budget and have parents sign the essay

Public by Marie Brinks

The role of the public is unclear.

They do not know how budgets are made. Here were some thoughts. The superintendent takes the previous budget and adjusts it. The Board gathers demographics information and then adjusts

the budget. The Board of Education makes the budget and the superintendent

approves it.

They do not understand which items are the most costly. Guesses included: Technology and books Salaries and pensions Administrative salaries and utilities

Public

They do not understand where funding comes from. Here were some guesses. State 50%, Local 20%, Federal 30% State 30%, Local 60%, Federal 10% You mean we do not pay it all in taxes.

Acronyms remain a mystery to the public. When asked to identify NCLB, IDEA, S1701, and ABBOTT, here were some responses: What? I have heard of No Child Left Behind, but I do not really

understand it. I do not know what those are.

Public

They do not attend school board meetings regularly. Here is why.

Too busy Do not care Trust the Board to make the right decisions

The Public does vote for School Board members and budgets. Here is why.

Vote down the budget Elect friends or family to the Board In a private school, all of the families need to vote. There is no public voting in a voc-tech school; the

freeholders pass the budget.

Public

Summary The Public lacks an understanding of the

overall workings of the school system in general and the budgetary process specifically, but this does not stop them from voting in the elections. The question becomes how to educate them. Here are some suggestions

Public

Educating the public:

Get the public into the schools Use district wide email and television programs to show

the public what is happening in the district. The superintendent should reach out to the public,

educating them about the schools, perhaps through

informal teas, luncheons, or coffee houses