Sunday, April 29, 2012

EDLD 5342 School Finance Week 3 Assignment – Sources of Revenue for the School District Budget

Week 3 Assignment Part 1

Week Three Assignment Part 1 Data



District 1
District 2
Economically Disadvantaged
93.30%
20.70%
Total Refined ADA Adjusted for Decline
3893.754
4032.937
Weighted Average Daily Attendance
5555.815
4794.076


District 1 has a smaller ADA but a larger WADA because "WADA is based on the number of students attending the school district and the type of students attending the school district. For example, a district receives additional program allocations if students attending the schools are economically disadvantaged. " Excerpt  from EDLD 5342 School Finance  Week  three lecture  

Week 3 Assignment Part 2

Week Three Assignment Part 2 Data



District 1
District 2
Revenue Per WADA@Compressed Rate
$7,206
$5,044
Total M&O
$1,369,340
$35,879,109
Total # of teachers, librarians, nurses & Counselor
281
307


District 1 even though they are getting more WADA funds they have fewer teachers, librarians, nurses and counselors. District 1 has less money for M&O but both districts have 7 campus.

Week 3 Assignment Part 3
In this assignment it is stated “The intent of the WADA (Weighted Average Daily Attendance) was to provide more money and professionals working directly with students in District 2 Example than in the District 1 Example because the percentage of economically disadvantaged students but the action failed to accomplish that goal in this case;” but when looking at the Data given the data for each district the statement does not hold true.  Listed below is a compilation of Data given, when looking at the charts it is clear that District 1 is in far more need of funding then District 2.


District 1
District 2
Economically Disadvantaged
93.30%
20.70%
Total Refined ADA Adjusted for Decline
3893.754
4032.937
Weighted Average Daily Attendance
5555.815
4794.076
Total # of teachers, librarians,nurses & Counselor
281
307
Revenue Per WADA@Compressed Rate
$7,206
$5,044
Total M&O
$1,369,340
$35,879,109
2010 Local District Property Value (DPV)
$145,968,635
$2,916,187,709
I&S (Interest &Sinking Fund ) Tax Collections
$94,871
$8,836,256
Chapter 46 (EDA) totals
$572,716
$0
Compensatory Education Allotment
$3,835,006
$6,333,369
$151,840,568
$2,967,236,443


Maintenance and Operation funds by definition from the glossary of the resource section of the class notes “is a local school district property tax rate that raises revenue to operate and maintain the district’s schools; M&O taxes are subject to a statutory maximum of $1.50 per $100 of taxable value.”  M&O funds can be used for salaries, utilities and day to day operation of the district. Interest & Sinking (I&S) can be used for debt and to pay back interest from a bond. District1 total of funds for M&O,I&S, DPV,EDA and compensatory education allotment is $151,840,568. District 2 total of funds for M&O,I&S, DPV,EDA and compensatory education allotment is $2,961,031,830. A difference of $2,961,031,830 in funding to provide a safe, clean and academically successful environment for a district with 93.3% economically disadvantaged. With this type of funding difference there are some areas that District1 will fall short. The amount that staff can be paid will be less, the availability of basic supplies will be smaller, any debt there is only minimal can be paid with the hope of ever paying it off

Week 3 Assignment Part 4
The source of funding for the maintenance and operations fund is $1.04 with $0.378 debt for a total tax rate of $1.418. Given the total M&O for local and state is $81,795,851. Maintenance and Operation funds by definition from the glossary of the resource section of the class notes “is a local school district property tax rate that raises revenue to operate and maintain the district’s schools; M&O taxes are subject to a statutory maximum of $1.50 per $100 of taxable value.”  This definition was provided by the glossary in the class resource.
The relationship of source of funds for school district with the allocation of funds for a school district is a topic that is difficult to grasp but as I work it out I believe that the basic allotment is $2,537.  When comparing the source with the allocation and expenditures in Duncanville ISD. The estimated revenues for the district including local and state for general fund, child nutrition fund, debt service fund, and capital fund are $108,953,442. The total expenditures for  codes 11- Instruction, 12- Instructional Resources & Media, 13- Curriculum/Staff Development, 21- Instructional Leadership, 23- School Leadership, 31- Guidance, Counseling & Evaluation, 32- Social Work, 33- Health Services, 34- Student Transportation, 35- Nutrition Services, 36-, Co-curricular/Extracurricular Activities 41- General Administration, 51- Plant Maintenance & Operations, 52- Security & Monitoring Services, 53- Data Processing Services, 61- Community Services, 71- Debt Service, 81- Facilities Acquisition & Construction, 95- Payments to Juvenile Justice, 99- Appraisal Costs including both local and state from the general fund, child nutrition fund, debt service fund, and capital fund are $116,408,735 an overage of $-7,455,293. Due to this overage money from the fund balance are used to make up the difference.  

Week 3 Assignment Part 5

Week Three Assignment Part 5 Data



District 1
District 2
2010 Local District Property Value (DPV)
$145,968,635
$2,916,187,709
I&S (Interest &Sinking Fund ) Tax Collections
$94,871
$8,836,256
Chapter 46 (EDA) totals
$572,716
$0
Total
$146,636,222
$2,925,023,965


District 1 will have issues improving and maintaining their facilities compared to District 2.  Due to the lack of funds District 1 will have a hard time insuring their student s safety in their facilities; unforeseen problems could cause other need improvements to be put off. Like if the air conditioning breaks and need to be replaced in August and there were scheduled upgrades for the school cafeteria. One on these will have to be put off a little longer.  
Week 3 Assignment Part 6

Week Three Assignment Part 6 Data



District 1
District 2
Compensatory Education Allotment
$3,835,006
$128,756

The use of the funds from compensatory education allotment could help students that are at- risk with additional programs to help them achieve in the academic setting, It could also help will fund for staff to work with students on some of the other issue that are associated with the economically disadvantage.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

EDLD 5342 School Finance Week 2 Assignment 1-5

 
Week 2 Assignment 1
In the lecture this week Dr. Nicks described goal driven budget is one that the district and campus goals should reflect the Board goals and the budgeting process should reflect a commitment to expending the funds to achieve those goal. Goal driven budgeting is a way to keep the district’s vision, campus improvement plans and district improvement plan in alignment. The goals in the

Duncanville ISD’s Board has five aspirations:
  • Cultivating a culture to make profound learning through purposeful engagement central.
  • Developing capabilities for new roles for teachers and other leaders.
  • Developing organizational capacities to support continuous innovation and teamwork.
  • Cultivating a culture for unleashing the talents of all.
  • Building community relationships, capacities and shared understanding.
The campuses have the same aspirations with the objectives under each being specific to the campus.
The funding source are as listed:
  • ESEA, Title I Part A- Improving Basic Programs
  • Title II TPTR
  • Title III Limited English Proficient
  • State Compensatory
  • IDEA- Part B. Formula – Special Education
Funding Codes being used are 211,255,263,198,224
I found that in the budget process that the planning potation of the development can be the most important. When starting with the goals and vision of the board then using the DIP and CIPs can have a true impact on the funding in the district.  

Week 2 Assignment part 2
As I looked over the dates that my district use to plan with I realize that the planning process for the next school year takes the full current year to strategize for the next school year. The process is a never ending cycle when it comes to the budget.
Week 2 Assignment part 3
I have learned the budget can be lengthy and complex process that is a necessary chore that has to be attended to at all time. If the budget is left attended it could results in issues like Wilmer Hutchins ISD.
Week 2 Assignment part 4
The role of the Superintendent is a little different this year due to the resignation of the chief financial officer about 3 weeks ago. Normally the superintendent works with a small group of professionals after gathering important information from many different stakeholders. “The budget preparation process and guidelines should be established through interaction between the school board and the superintendent. Thus, the delegation of budget responsibilities among district administrators (district-wide) and individual campuses (site-based) will reflect consensus of the school board and the superintendent.” ( 2.7.1 Roles and Responsibilities)They come up with  tentative budget  that include the revenues and expenditures of the preceding fiscal year, the estimated revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, and his estimate of the revenues for the next succeeding fiscal year based upon the lowest rate of tax levy which in their opinion will raise the required amount of revenue by using the current years taxable value as the basis for this calculation, a detailed estimate of the essential expenditures for all purposes for the next year, and the estimated financial condition of the district at the close of the current fiscal year. This must be prepared by a date set by the state board of education, currently August 20 (June 19 if the district uses a July 1 fiscal year start date) per the power point Budget Academy Texas Association of School Business Officials from the resource section.

I have a better understanding from this experience that you do not have to be an expert at everything, but that being a superintendent requires that you know how to surround yourself with people that are experts at what you are not. That is to say a superintendent does have to have a certain amount of proficiency at many things. “Superintendents are well advised to send the equivalent of a day per week or 20 percent of one’s time review budgetary allocations, proposed expenditures and outstanding encumbrances. The superintendent should meet weekly with business official and district treasures to analyze cash flow investment earnings, and any transfer necessary to balance individual codes and the entire budget. Numerous software programs are available to permit the superintendent to spot-check a broad range of transactions, thereby providing an added and necessary supervisory layer to the district’s budget. ”(p140 Harris, Learning From the Best)

Week2 Assignment 5
The communication with the listed key groups is imperative to the success of the budget for the entire district.  
  • The Board of Trustees is where we start with the budget process; set the goals
  • Central Office Administrators and Staff – Help with actually calculation of taxes, and PEIMS data
  • Principals bring projected cost of for upcoming year, cost for any new projects,
  • Site Based Decision Making Committees take to goals of the DIP and use them to plan how the school with help meet those goals
  • District Improvement Committee takes the goals of the board and forms a plan to meet those goals
  • Teacher Organizations ensure that teacher interest are meet and  
  • Key Stakeholders – community opinion

After speaking with a person in our financial department I found that communication is a major part of the development of the budget. If information does not follow between the entities above money can be put in the wrong places or completely forgotten all together.