OK, Let’s Talk BudgetsVirginia has standardized the school division budgeting processThere are seven budget categoriesHow many are showing on the budgets you brought this evening?Try and find the major categories.

Budget Time Frames in Virginia

Counties must have budget by May 1st or within 30 days of estimate of State funds.Cities budgets must be approved by May 15th Why do you think there is a difference?

Budget CategoriesInstructionAdministration, attendance, and healthPupil TransportationOperation and MaintenanceFood Service (and non-instructional)FacilitiesDebt and Fund Transfers

InstructionTeacher salaries, apportionment of School Board Office instructional personnel, supplies, texts, professional development, and othersUsually takes 70-80% of the budgetIf this percentage is exceeded it may be an indication of problems? Why?

Admin., Attendance, & Health

All administration functions, salaries, supplies, professional development, expensesAll attendance (visiting teachers, etc) functions, salaries, related expensesAll Health (school nurses, etc) functionsGenerally runs 5-10% of the budget

Pupil TransportationYou’ve got it! Yellow bussesDrivers’ salaries, benefits, professional development, etc.Oil, gas, bus purchases, maintenance on busses, etc.Percentage varies from rural/urban (3-7%)

Operations and Maintenance

Maintenance costs for buildings including salaries and benefits, maintenance materials, and suppliesDoes not not include capital constructionVaries extensively depending on how facilities are cared for

Food ServiceCafeteria expensesBy law this category must be self-supportingIncludes furniture, food, salaries, equipment, and related expensesUsually does not appear as a percentage of budget

FacilitiesBuildings and grounds construction, capital repairs, major replacement/renovations, etc.Includes all expenses associated with facilities constructionVaries as a percentage of budget depending on governing body

Debt and Fund TransfersDebt is usually coordinated by the governing body with some exceptionsIncludes VPSA, LLF for construction and land acquisition Fund transfers – technical – grants transferred to other funds – i.e. Title 1, and other federally-funded programs. Think of this as a holding tank for funds that come in and must go out to other areas – instruction, administration, etc.

Your JobTry to figure out how your budget is organizedCan you identify the seven categories in your budget?If you can not find seven categories, how many categories can you find?What percentage is spent on each?