Budget Development Process

The school budget development process is a collaborative process involving many educational partners including school personnel, School Site Councils (SSCs)  and the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).  A school's budget is often driven by allocation formulae, contractual obligations, District-wide policies and procedures, and school-based initiatives.

The process starts with schools' enrollment projections and programmatic requirements. In January, the Budget Department sends each school a budget workbook for the following school year via the Site Based Budget (SBB) tool showing its resource allocations.  It contains various components such as enrollment, staffing, and prior-year expenditures.

School administrators review the budget and work with their educational partners to make decisions regarding staffing and resource allocations for the following year. The principal, SSC (for Title I, as applicable), and area superintendent must approve the budget before it is submitted to the Budget department for review.

The School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA) containing various budgets such as Local Controrl Funding Formula (LCFF) and Title I are reviewed by the Strategic Planning for Student Achievement Department. This department is composed of certificated staff that ensures sound instructional plans.

The SPSA is then reviewed/approved by the Board of Education.

School Site Council

The school principal is responsible for ensuring that the School Site Council is regularly informed on budget expenditures included in the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA).  These budgets include the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), Title I, and Comprehensive Support and Intervention (as applicable).

Spending Guidelines and Resources for School Site Council

Title I Guidelines for 2025-26

LCFF Guidelines for 2025-26

How To Read The Budget Overview And Transfer Forms In SSC Meetings (January 22, 2025 DAC presentation)

School Budgets and SPSAs for School Site Councils (Access to LCFF and Title I Budgets)