PRAIRIE SPIRIT SCHOOL DIVISION

BOARD GOVERNANCE POLICY MANUAL 

Policy#16 - Fiscal Management Goals and Priorities

The Prairie Spirit School Division is publicly accountable for its financial resources. The budget is a monetary statement reflecting Board goals and objectives for education in the Division and a blueprint for action, accomplishment and fiscal control. Resources are managed in an efficient, effective and ethical manner in accordance with the mission statement and educational beliefs and in compliance with The Public Schools Act (PSA) and other applicable legislation. 

Responsibilities of the Senior Administration 

• The Board places responsibility for fiscal prudence, risk management and compliance with Senior Administration and as prescribed by the PSA. Purchases are made in the most economical manner possible while encouraging purchasing from local sources.

• The Division operates in ways that optimize financial health and the effective, efficient use of financial resources. 

• Senior Administration ensures the Division operates its annual financial affairs in accordance with Section 42 of the PSA. 

• The Secretary-Treasurer ensures accounting practices are within generally accepted accounting principles as outlined by the Province of Manitoba. 

• The Secretary-Treasurer provides the Board with an operating statement for December, March and June with the annual audit report presented in September/October.

• The Secretary-Treasurer presents the budget development process to the Board annually. 

• The Board annually approves a budget for the fiscal year July 1 to June 30. The Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer develop the budget in consultation with the Board, staff and the public. 

Commitment to Goodwill and Cooperation in Contract Negotiations 

The Board acknowledges that good educational services cannot be obtained without a reasonable expenditure of money and therefore seeks to negotiate contracts that will attract and keep competent staff members. The Board further endeavors to establish and maintain a relationship of goodwill and cooperation during negotiations in order to create an atmosphere of trust and understanding between the Board and the negotiating party.