A unique resource for both academics and practitioners, School District Budgeting provides a comprehensive look at the resource allocation process, from developing planning guidelines to reporting the results of financial operations. An all-inclusive guide, the book provides theoretical and practical treatments of the entire budget process.
Developing budgets that meet economic constraints and instructional expectations is challenging. This valuable resource is for administrators who want to enhance their instructional, technical, and managerial skills as visionaries, planning coordinators, and budgeting managers.
Does the prospect of preparing your school district's budget seem daunting? Beginning school administrators, often having only one theoretical course on the subject under their belt, see the budget development process as a nightmare. New adminstratiors, teachers, and board members who have little experience with budgeting are justifiably concerned by the prospect of their involvement in budgeting. This book leads the reader through all stages of the process, from the theoretical underpinnings (history, types of budgets, etc.) and practical considerations (revenue planning, budget calendar, etc.) through to the adoption of the budget and its implementation. Includes sample budgets and tips for administration of a budget once it is in place.
How schools budget and spend the money they receiveAnalyzes links (or their absence) to educational goalsA candid guide to how resources are used in schools Based on extensive research and hands-on school budgeting, this volume is a systematic exposition of how money is collected and spent in the thousands of public school districts in the US, as well as parochial, private and charter schools. The volume explains both the paper trail of how money is allocated in budgets and justified in outlays, as well as the decision-making steps authorizing the collection and spending of funds. A thesis of the book is that money for schools should in all instances contribute to the promotion of educational goals. The book shows that the determination of, as well as the realization, of such goals is subject to complexities that result in questionable uses of limited resources--a result that has wide implications.
A Better Way to Budget provides practical, innovative advice on how to overcome the political and social pushback that often prevents district and school leaders from shifting scarce resources to the most student-centered uses. Nathan Levenson shows how school leaders can uncover the sources of potential conflicts and create a budgeting process that normalizes change, minimizes pushback, and builds public buy-in for needed reforms. A Better Way to Budget: focuses on a strategic and process-oriented approach that anticipates roadblocks and challenges; introduces eight effective strategies for shifting funds and winning support; provides real-life examples of mistakes and successes; and includes joint fact-finding, simulations, and other exercises to help stakeholders agree on goals and identify the budgetary changes needed to reach those objectives. Filled with advice gathered over decades of work in schools, A Better Way to Budget provides timely insights and tools for leaders who are exploring ways to make their districts more inclusive and student-centered.