Blog 11: Budget/Funding ASI

Blog 11:

It was interesting completing the assignment on Alta Sierra Intermediates Budget/Funding Inventory.   Katie Scalzo is in charge of ASI budget and admits that it sometimes keeps her awake at night.  Being in charge of schools budget /funding is a big responsibility especially with all the budget cuts schools are currently facing

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 ASI funding is broken into five categories; 1.  Title III (Federal) $570 to help increase English Learning achieve State standards and improve CST scores and CELDT test.  2. Title III Language (Federal) $5,573 is to help English Learners with assistance of Bilingual Aids and supplies to help increase CST scores and CELDT.  3.  Economic Impact Aid (State) $94,725 is used to help with after school interventions, push-in teachers, etc. to help students learn State Standards and increase CST scores.  4.  State Flex Money $ 35, 100 gives the school more flexibility on where and how to spend the money.  Such as stipends, campus monitors, science fair, Olympiad, or Robotics directors.   5.  Student body Foundation is money the school raises through magazine sells, cookie dough, fund raisers, etc. and the money is used to benefit students at ASI in various activities throughout the school year.   

Before spending money from a specific fund, the ASI administration team must meets and discusses the school needs.  After discussing the schools needs and specific amount to be spent, Katie Scalzo then completes budget forms on Doc-u-share.  The school site council must then approve needs and budget spending.  Once it’s approved then ASI get to implement the new budget needs! 

I sometimes feel teachers are so out of the loop with budget spending and wonder where the money is going and how it’s being spent.  Dr. Bradleys presentation helped put all things into perspective and I only wish I had a portion of his knowledge!

Class Reflection Nov. 5th and 6th

I had so much going on this week that class seemed like a blur.   I really enjoyed Friday evening’s class and hearing the three speakers giving us advice as future leaders.  I was extremely excited to see Eduardo Martinez.   Mr. Martinez was my learning director at Buchanan High School (he has been my favorite L.D) and I very sad to see him leave.   Some of the advice given that I will walk away from all three speakers:

·         Decision should be student centered

·         When dealing with employee discipline make sure it is based on education code.  If unsure, always consult your Human Resources and ask for next steps or procedures. 

·         You are what you hire! 

·         Make sure you document, document, document!!! 

·         When hiring with panel, it is important to ask for individual input.  DO NOT have them pick as a panel their choice of hire.  Remember it falls on the administrator not the panel if it was a “Bad” hire.

Dr. Terry Bradley is extremely knowledgeable and   gave us a LOT of information on site based management-finances.  I just hope that when I go into leadership that I’m not the person in charge of the District’s finances.   Finance just isn’t the most exciting thing for me to learn about in administration but I know it’s important.   It was interesting how the voters and teachers supported prop 98 thinking it would benefit schools but actually had a negative impact!  If the schools taxes decrease then so will money for schools.   Our schools must now rely on the economy.  We also have to wait to see what happens on Dec. 15^th –Budget Act (Trigger) and hope for the best for our schools.  Some of the information I found important were:

·         Majority Of Operational Revenue Raised Through Property Taxes

·         The Revenue Limit Per Student  is Adjusted Each Year Based On Statutory Formula (Referred To As The COLA)

·         Prop. 13-Passed by the voters, imposed a Maximum Property Tax Rate of 1% of Assessed Value for all Local Governments—Cities, Counties, Special Districts, School Districts

·         Prop. 98/111-Provides K-12 Education and Community Colleges with a Constitutionally Protected Portion of the State Budget.  Envisioned to be Minimum State Funding for Education—Became Maximum.

·         A Budget Is Not A Series Of Numbers.  It Is A Reflection Of The Philosophy And Priorities Of A District

·         Categorical Budgeting Must Be Closely Monitored

·         A School District Can Afford To Do Anything, Just Not Everything

·         Student Body Fund- Make sure you do NOT misuse funds and deposit ALL cash into the account.  Don’t want to get FIRED!!!!