1. Why does the per-pupil amount change?
Per-pupil amounts vary annually due to changes to overall levels of funding at the State and District level, changes to salaries determined by negotiated agreements, transfer of any additional authority to schools to carry out responsibilities, and other factors.
2. Are per-pupil amounts changed to account for salary increases?
Yes. Changes to negotiated agreements impact per-pupil funding in strategic budgets.
3. Will schools still have to take surplus teachers if they do not want to?
Provisions in the negotiated agreement must be followed.
4. What are the standard procedures for eliminating positions?
Support staff positions can be eliminated in the spring, but not in the fall unless warranted due to substantial reduction in enrollment.
5. What school positions are mandatory?
Principal - Overall leadership
Office Manager/Administrative Secretary - Overall management of the front office
Clerk/Registrar - Student accounting associated with State funding
FASA - Health and safety of students
Campus Security Monitor – Safety (secondary only)
6. Does the School Associate Superintendent need to approve the annual school budget?
Yes.
7. Since my preliminary budget allocation in February, the school gained enrollment before (or after) the validation day. Can I open positions prior to (or after) the validation day?
Validation day student enrollment determines the dollars built into the school’s budget. Adjustments can be made based on the number of students enrolled at the school on that date. If there is growth at other times during the year, principals will consult with HR to determine the course of action.
8. Are special education positions purchased by the school?
No, not in 2017-2018.
9. What salaries are being used in the budget?
Average salaries, including benefits, are used in the budgets.
10. Can principals revise school budgets after the preliminary budgets are finalized?
Spring budgets, which are based on projected student enrollment, can be revised in the fall after the actual student enrollment is determined on the District’s staffing count day.
11. Will there be any scheduled budget conferences for the preliminary budget development?
Each year, the Strategic Resources Office schedules optional training/collaboration opportunities for each level of school. If schools need individual assistance, they can schedule time to come to the Strategic Resources office or the budget assistants will go to the schools as their schedules permit.
12. What if a school cannot balance the budget?
Schools must submit a balanced budget. For assistance, schools should work with their School Associate Superintendent.
13. Why doesn’t student data match what I am given by the District?
If the student data does not match, clerks and registrars must then work with Student Data Services to reconcile the data so that it does match.
14. Does a school receive the difference between a teacher’s salary and a substitute’s salary if a teacher is not hired?
Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, schools will be able to retain these dollars not expended during the next year.
15. Who absorbs the difference between an average salary and an actual salary?
Since the salaries are based on the average there is no discrepancy. If there is a discrepancy, plus or minus, the District will absorb it.
16. Can I carry over more than the allotted funds from one year to the next?
Yes. If your school has a project that requires saving for multiple years, the plan needs to be created and fulfilled within the planned timelines.
17. Will schools get additional funds for students who enroll in the middle of the year?
Yes, in January, schools who have received 10 or more students will receive an additional growth allocation. This is an additional 10 students from count day through December 31.