The Director of Business Services (DOBS) and District Administrator (DA) will draft a budget assumptions proposal and calendar to be presented to the School Board at the November Board meeting.
DOBS will work with the DPI, colleagues, and other advisors to gain insight on statewide trends and potential budget outcomes to develop realistic budget assumptions.
The budget assumptions will serve as a guide in determining the budget outcome.
The budget calendar will ensure the community is aware of when tasks are to be completed, how and when they can be involved, and when decisions are made. The calendar also ensures all statutory deadlines are met.
The Board will review the budget assumptions and process documents and approve of them at the December Board meeting.
The financial data collection and organization period will begin in November and continue throughout the entire budget development process. The primary objective is to have enough information, assumptions, and tools to guide conversations for the School Board and other staff and community groups.
While collecting and organizing data illustrating the district’s financial past, present and projected future is important, communicating that information effectively is equally important. DOBS continually updates the Business Services webpage with the pertinent information.
One of the primary tools the district uses is the Baird budget forecast model. The Baird model helps illustrate different budget scenarios based on different budget assumptions.
DOBS will compile data to be presented to the Board regarding the District’s financial condition on a stand-alone basis and in comparison to similar districts.
The District will host a legislative breakfast to meet with state and local representatives.
The Board and DLT will share some of the District’s successes and challenges.
The District will request a brief update from our leaders on matters related to public school education.
The Community Focus Groups (CFG) will be constructed where Administration determines it important.
The Citizens Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) will meet to review financial data.
The purpose of the first meeting with CFAC is to define the role of the committee, present and discuss financial information, and gather requests for further information for the next CFAC meeting.
DOBS will compile data to be presented to the CFAC regarding the District’s financial condition on a stand-alone basis and in comparison to similar districts.
The group will be lead through various scenarios using the Baird forecast model.
The CFAC will meet a second time to review any additional information and determine its final recommendation, if needed.
The CFAC is an advisory committee only. All final decisions will be determined by the School Board.
The District Leadership Team will review enrollment trends and projections. The DLT will also review input from the CFG and CFAC.
The DLT will meet to develop the initial 2020-21 programming and staffing recommendations for the Board.
The strategic plan will continually be used to guide discussions in developing a recommendation for the Board.
The DLT will create impact statements to clearly articulate the overall impact of any recommended revisions, additions, or reductions.
Administration will present its initial program and staffing recommendations to the Board by no later than March.
This meeting will provide the Board an opportunity to discuss the recommendations and weigh the available options.
At this point the Board will provide direction to the DLT regarding any necessary revisions.
The DLT will present final program and staffing recommendations to the School Board for approval at the regular April Board meeting.
The DLT will continue to solidify the projected budget for the 2020-21 school year as more accurate information becomes available. Communication will be ongoing.
The preliminary budget will be presented to the Board at the Annual Budget Hearing during the regular August board meeting.
The revised budget is approved and the levy is certified at the regular October Board meeting.
December, 2020 - Presentation of budget assumptions and development process
January, 2021 - Board approval of budget assumptions and development process
February - July, 2021 - Updates on preliminary budget
March, 2021 - Review of program/staffing proposals
April, 2021 - Possible approval of program/staffing proposals
May 15, 2021 - Non-renewal deadline for certified staff
June 30, 2021 - End of fiscal year 2020-21
July 1, 2021 - DPI releases equalization aid estimate
August, 2021 - Annual budget hearing
September 17, 2021 - 3rd Friday student count
October 1, 2021 - Property values certified
October 15, 2021 - Equalization aid finalized
October 25, 2021 - Revised budget approved and levy certified
A CFAC meeting may be scheduled when the state biennial budget passes.