Input from Additional Stakeholders

EDLD 5342 Week 2- Part 5

Input from Stakeholders in the Budget Process:

 Central Office Administrators and Staff-   The superintendent has regular meetings with the leadership team. This includes central office staff, such as area superintendents and curriculum department leaders. In January, this team receives relevant projections and budget planning information.  In February, budget planning workshops are done with this team and they begin working on their documents and requests. These budgets are received in the budget/finance office in March.

 

Principals- Principals work all year with their staffs to monitor the needs of their campus. They work with their site based team as well to plan a goal driven campus plan and budget. Principals receive training in budget workshops in February and submit budget requests in March. Principals also meet monthly with their area or level superintendents and monthly as a leadership team with the superintendent and central office staff.

Site Based Decision Making Committees-  Site based teams meet monthly and create/review/adjust the campus plan and the budget associated with it. This team is important in helping to drive innovation and performance at the campus level.  

District Improvement Committee- Our district education improvement committee meets several times throughout the year and is comprised of members from all stakeholder groups. In the past, I have observed this committee to be a rubber stamp for administration and not truly a forward thinking, strategic committee. Ideally this committee helps to align the campus and district plans and the goal driven budget for the district and seeks innovation. I am looking forward to seeing how this committee works in my new district.

Teacher Organizations- Our district has an active teacher organization called the United Educators Association. Each campus has a representative and those representatives are given an audience with the superintendent monthly. Concerns involving a variety of issues are heard. Currently, the UEA is active in expressing opinions about changes in schedules that are being made due to budgetary concerns as the district moves to an 8 period day at the secondary level in order to save money and jobs.

Key Stakeholders- Stakeholders are involved in several aspects of the district, from district education improvement committees to community forums.

Board of Trustees- The superintendent and board work together to create goals and listen to each other. I have seen my superintendent work very well with the board as they develop plans for the new high school. They have made many decisions regarding programs, funding, school colors, zoning, and more. I have also seen him work to pass a bond election this year to provide equality at each campus. When he needs to lead rather than collaborate he does. Evidence of this has been seen as he advocates changing to an eight period day at the secondary level. He knows this is unpopular with parents, kids, and board members. However, he has been able to explain the cost saving benefits of this proposal and pointed out the number of jobs saved by the switch.

The process of creating and working from a goal driven budget involves working with a variety of stakeholders and getting input from a variety of sources. It also involves leadership. Politics aside, sometimes you have to step up and be a leader or advocate for the things that are difficult to promote.