EDLD+5342+wk+2+stuff

** __ Part 1: __ ** A goal driven budget is one in which there is an alignment of the Board of Trustees goals with the district improvement plan goals with campus improvement plan goals so that the budget supports successful implementation for all. Dr. Arterbury says “the purpose of a goal driven budget is to assist in the attainment of a shared vision for the school district and each campus.” He said “commitment to expending funds to achieve the shared goals of all stakeholders.” I agree. In Rice ISD, the goal driven budget process is seen in the alignment of the vision. The Board, community and district staff evaluates and implement this plan. It requires the Board, the district and the campuses to continuously make decisions using data from benchmarks and ideas from state guidelines to keep budget updates and changes in mind for educating our kids. Our District Improvement Plan outlines each major subject and how we will implement the learning process and who and what funds will be used to do it. My finance director and assistant superintendent, Mr. Larry Baer, said he is always looking at the needs and goals or each campus while still maintaining an open line of communication with the superintendent of schools, because she carries the responsibility of the budget and how it is used for educating our kids. He used the word “stewards of the taxpayer’s money” a lot. ** __ Part 2:  __ ** **  The top five events and dates that I believe are important are listed below:   ** 1. Develop a budget using the DIP/committee input along with previous district budgets. (January/February) 2. Determine Revenue and revenue sources using templates provided by ESC's. (March/June) 3. Decide on necessary expenditures and operating costs using numbers of kids, etc...(April/May) 4. Submit the district budget to the School Board. (July/August) 5. Get Board approval of the district budget after many clinics and adjustments. (August) All of these have dates of compliance as set down by TEA and can be adjusted depending on when the official district budget year begins. I can see where the personality of a district can really begin to show by the way it plans and implements the use of funds for education. ** __ Part 3:  __ ** **  Reflecting on the TEA Budgeting Guide   ** The budgeting process is comprised of three major phases: planning, preparation, and evaluation.” This gave me the information I will need in the future if I am to move up in administration. I now feel better about the finance process in education. The test we took had me putting an “I” in almost every box. Now by reading the “Guidelines” and TASBO budget information, I know I will keep these and use these for future decisions and answering questions from others about state funding and how education spends taxpayer money. The TEA Budgeting Guidelines provides guidance and information for the planning of a district budget was long, but very useful. It took me a long time to read and take notes, but I am able to answer these questions because of the new knowledge I have gained in this week’s assignment. ** __ Part 4:  __ ** **  Role and Responsibility of the Superintendent   ** The role of the Superintendent involves more than political knowledge to deal with board members that may have their own agenda for being on the school board and business management knowledge along with a strong education and instruction knowledge in order to lead the board in the direction of the district vision. I am so much more impressed by the “other” duties that our superintendent handles on a daily basis, while helping teachers and administrators work with kids and parents. Our superintendent is a very good leader. Being prepared for any of the unexpected changes needed to help kids succeed and keeping the district goals at the front of any decision that she makes lets me know that I am learning from the best. The responsibility of the Superintendent is the budget officer of the district. That is why our superintendent has surrounded herself with experienced leadership in the finance end of things. Our finance officer was the superintendent for eight years before our current superintendent took over the head position. He told me that his strength was finance and hers was curriculum, and that they made a good match for leading our district into the future. They still are great leaders, training others to follow in their footsteps. I know with the way they are teaching us we will be good “stewards” of money and the greatest resource of all – our kids. ** __Part 5: __ ** ** Additional Stakeholder Input in the Budgeting Process ** At the beginning of the week the lecture pointed out that “the Superintendent and Board of Trustees are often described as the team of eight”. They must provide a clear direction their vision and goals for the district. They must have open lines of communication about revenues, expenses and alignment of these budget issues following the goals of the district. They are the team that produces the energy and drive for everyone in the district. I thought about breaking down each and every addition these stake holders have in the decision making process for budgeting. It would be the same for each group. They all have a purpose and that is to give the best information to the Board through communicating with each other about how to effectively educate kids with the money that has been given to them by the tax payers of our state and local district. Central office administrators, staff, principals, decision making committees, community members, students and board members have to have the goal and vision for educating students of all ages at the front of each budget question and answer. Communication at each level is crucial to having a productive educational organism. I believe that the ‘budgeting” process is like eating to a human being; you must plan, prepare and evaluate every meal. Depending on your age, needs and desires what goes in determines what you become.  
 * EDLD 5342 Week Two Assignment  **
 * ** Definition of a goal driven budget **
 * ** Description of a goal driven budget utilizing the your district improvement plan goals and describing the financial resources focused on achieving the goals  **
 * ** Provides references to the lecture/interview and the your district improvement plan goals  **