Top+Five+Steps+in+the+Budgeting++Process

__** I know I have listed more than five but these are my first thoughts. Wiki Team One, what do you think? **__

 * 1) Conduct needs assessment and identify campus and district initiatives and goals.
 * 2) Conduct review of projected enrollment and projected taxable values
 * 3) Conduct Staffing decision-making (to include benefits packages) and produce proposed pay scale for next instructional year. (80% of the budget is personnel and benefits)
 * 4) Prepare draft budget
 * 5) Budget hearings/workshops with board
 * 6) Approve the budget
 * 7) Set the tax rate

It may be difficult to narrow it to five. What are your thoughts?

My (Joe) thoughts are:
 * if the business manager or CFO are a part of the CNA, then #2 can be lumped into #1, but the problem is that these two events happen at different times
 * Staffing, at least in my district, is ongoing through the summer. It seems to never end. Due to the nature of payroll in budgeting this is vital to solidify, but hard to know when it is over.
 * I am not sure on this, but the tax rate is part of the adopted budget or at least it is discussed at the budget hearings and workshops, so could #7 be included in one of those? If so we are down to five very good dates for the budgeting process.
 * As far as dates go for this, I believe you have this in chronological order, so with the above changes:
 * #1 CNA and tax review - Spring (May)
 * #2 Staffing - Summer (May/June)
 * #3 Draft Budget - June/July
 * #4 Hearings and workshops - ongoing in Spring and summer
 * #5 Approve budget with set tax rate- prior to August 31

Joe, I agree with you: I have added some detail to my reasoning.


 * __ Top Five steps in the budgeting process: __**

I. Conduct needs assessment and identify campus and district initiatives and goals - to include a review of projected enrollment and projected taxable values . – I think this step is important because in a goal driven budget, expenditures must support the goals of the district. Most districts will agree that the essential goal is to improve student achievement but each district will pursue that ultimate goal through varying initiatives. Projections of enrollment are also an important aspect of planning because it represents the number of customers your budget will serve, and projecting taxable values will help estimate the amount of revenue you can expect to fund the servicing of those customers.

II. Conduct Staffing decision-making (to include benefits packages) and produce proposed pay scale for next instructional year. Since 80%+ of the budget consists of personnel wages and benefits, the number of staff to be employed to serve your students in the coming year is of incredible importance.

III. Prepare draft budget. Obviously preparation of a draft budget allows stakeholders to see in concrete terms the direction of the leadership. The ability to see the ideas allows other stakeholders to provide input in order to help review and adjust the budget.

IV. Budget hearings and workshops with the board of trustees are important steps in the process of budget development because it is the official step that includes public comments and input from outside of the district staff and administration.

V. Approve the budget and set the tax rate - the final action of the board which are usually accomplished at the same board meeting in August

Kevin, you are so good. I love it! I think we are done!