How to Build Department Budgets with Non-Financial People
By Amy McPartlin
Asst. Supt./Finance & Operations
Prospect Heights School District 23
Brian Rominski
Dir./Building and Grounds
Prospect Heights School District 23
The world of the CSBO can be a lonely one, especially as the fiscal years begin to collide in June and July. While everyone else is breathing a sigh of relief at the close of the school year, things are just starting to “heat up” in the early summer months for the business office.
The development of the budget is a collaborative process that should engage key stakeholders long before the summer months. Our district budgets drive everything from our ability to hire highly qualified teachers, to professional development, student support and curriculum, safety and cleanliness of our buildings, extracurricular offerings, technology infrastructure, food, field trips, media resources, capital projects and more. One of the toughest challenges for school business officials to navigate is communicating with the budget administrators (principals, department directors and even superintendents) in a way that allows them to understand the importance of their involvement in the overall budgetary process. The budget is more than just an explanation of revenues and expenditures. It is a living document that reflects the priorities of the district and serves as a roadmap for the fiscal year.
Oftentimes, while administrators oversee a specific fund allocation, they do not understand the larger picture of how “their” dollars fit into the larger district budget. They may be intimidated by the budget and its development or they may lack the financial literacy to understand their role. Either way, it’s the responsibility of the business official to reach out and engage them, share their knowledge and bring them “along for the ride!”