Funding for innovative and supportive programs
You are the budget director of a small school district that has a budget of $10 million and serves 2,500 children in six schools: three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The school district receives its budget from the state, and state officials have told you that the state is running a deficit and the school budget is being cut by $250,000. The state provides the revenue; however, the school district does have a partnership with a foundation that provides funding for innovative and supportive programs. What part of the budget would you first examine? Why? After that examination, what would you cut? Why?
As the budget director of a small school district that has a budget of $10 million and serves 2,500 children in six schools, I would first examine the following parts of the budget:
- Personnel costs: This is the largest part of the budget, accounting for about 70% of the total. It includes salaries and benefits for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
- Instructional materials: This includes textbooks, workbooks, and other materials used in the classroom.
- Operations and maintenance: This includes costs for utilities, repairs, and maintenance of school buildings and grounds.
- Transportation: This includes costs for buses, drivers, and fuel.
- Food service: This includes costs for food, labor, and supplies for the school cafeteria.
- Non-essential personnel: This could include positions that are not directly related to teaching, such as the district's public relations officer or the superintendent's executive assistant.
- Travel and training: This could include travel for professional development or training for staff.
- Supplies and materials: This could include supplies that are not essential for instruction, such as art supplies or office supplies.
- Enrichment programs: This could include programs that are not required by the state, such as after-school programs or summer school.