Plan of Operation Cycles
As described in earlier modules, the School Plan of Operation includes the School Performance Plan and the School Budget.Â
Development cycles for the School Performance Plan and the School Budget overlap, but are not quite the same. Both cycles are driven by Nevada law and regulations.
The School Performance Plan is developed in the summer and updated through a series of status checks. The process steps are called "Acts." (For more information see Nevada's School Level Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) and Resources Overview video.)
The steps in developing the school budget are driven by requirements in Nevada Law that determine when schools must be provided with estimated and updated allocations each year.
Major steps for the development of the Plan of Operation
Estimated allocations to schools. By January 15 each year, schools are provided with estimated allocations based on projected enrollment. This usually takes place on or just before January 15.
Preliminary School Budget Development. Using estimated allocations and their School Performance Plan, principals develop their preliminary budget. The preliminary budget is used to staff and prepare for the upcoming school year.
School Performance Plan Development. At the end of the school year, Continuous Improvement Teams use information from the previous year's school performance plan ("Act 3") to inform the development of the School Performance Plan for the upcoming school year ("Act 1"). The new School Performance Plan is presented to the SOT for approval when school resumes in August.
Adjusted allocations to schools. By November 1 , schools are provided with adjusted allocations based on the actual enrollment of students in the school. This usually takes place in September.
School Budget Revision. Using adjusted allocations, and the new School Performance Plan, principals revise their budget for the school year.
School Performance Plan Continuous Improvement. Throughout the year, the principal engages in Continuous Improvement activities as part of Nevada's Continuous Improvement Process ("Act 2" and "Act 3").
The diagram below illustrates the 18-month process and how it overlaps each year.
