Benchmark - Budget Defense

David Grayson

College of Education, Grand Canyon University

EAD-510: Education Finance

Dr. Kimberly Birds Gillett

September 20, 2023

Strategic Planning
u Needs are determined by the current student and teacher population.
u Surveys were sent to teachers, students, and the community (parents).
u Data from student tests, building operations, and etc. were analyzed.
u Collaborative conversation took place with all key stakeholders (teachers, data specialist, ILT,
AP’s, admin, etc.) and current needs were discussed.
u The Vision and Mission Statements were reviewed and compared to all needs.
u The committee discussed events, materials, etc. that are held throughout the year to ensure all
activities and curricula are covered.
u Enrollment numbers of students were checked. This directly impacts the amount of FTE’s
allotted for the budget.

NOTES BELOW…
Budget Development

u Stakeholders involved in the process: Principals, Assistant Principals, Instructional

Coaches, Department Chairs, Secretaries , CEO, Department of Finance, Area
Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent.
u Budget is then created, one for each department, pillar from the SIP, activity, and for
administration.
u Final site-based budget is then solidified by Administration, reviewed by Area
Superintendent, and submitted for approval to the Finance Department for final review
and approval.
u We then defended the budgetary decisions to the District Budget Committee (District,
Board, Staff, & Community)
u Through the use of data, evidence based research and student need, we are able to
present what we need and why.
 Major Budget Components

u Staffing: Teacher FTE, Staff, Substitutes, Building & Grounds, Administration

u Curriculum
u Technology
u Professional Development
u PBIS
u Activities/Clubs/Sports
u MTSS/Credit-Recovery/Additional Programing/Writing, Math, etc. Labs
u Department Supplies
u General Building Supplies (Light Bulbs, Toilet Paper, etc.)

NOTES BELOW…
Expenditures for Staff & Technology Resources
u Professional Development:
u In-school workshops from professionals will continue.
u Teacher/Staff collaboration time will now be built into the schedule
u This creates a need for FTE to support enough sections of each class period to allow common times
for department teachers.
u Collaboration in departments helps staff learn from each other and align curricula to support students
in multiple sections and levels of the content areas.
u Funding will now be provided for staff to take graduate classes and attend conferences and
PD sessions.
u This will help grow our staffs’ education and content knowledge and create incentives to do so.

u Technology:
u Continue to outfit students with 1:1 Chromebooks and upgrade the school’s inventory
u Continue to upgrade the school’s wi-fi networks and security firewalls
u Replace the library’s computers
u The library is the technology center of the school and an area that is being transformed into student
collaboration and alternat classroom learning spaces

NOTES BELOW…
Main Budget Cuts
These budget cuts are being put in place in order to support the areas of the budget that align to
our school’s vision and mission statements. Continuing to support teachers and not losing FTE for the
building is a priority.
u Staff incentives/give-a-ways
u Less staff food, shirts, etc. will be provided this year.
u Office supplies
u Teachers will get a limited amount of supplies (markers, pencils, pens, tissues, etc.) at the start of the year.
The unlimited supply will not continue.
u Paper
u Teachers are encouraged to provide as much of their materials to students digitally to avoid paper use. Each
department will have a limited paper supply.
u Printing
u Staff will need to log into the copy machines and printers before using them. Staff will have a limited number
of pages they can copy/print each semester.
u Activities/Clubs/Sports
u These will continue to be supported, but large purchases such as uniforms, large supplies, etc. will not be
purchased this year. Teachers will be allowed one extra fundraiser per activity this year and are encourage to
apply for grants.
u Large Projects (Library Remodel, Football Stadium Upgrades, Curriculum)
u All large improvement projects have been put on hold this year. No new curricula will be purchased or
implemented this year.
Solution to Reeducation in 1.0 FTE
The district has suggested in the budget reduction to cut 1.0 FTE and
release at least one teacher. That is not something I am for or feel is in the
best interest of the students, teachers, or school. Our SIP focuses on student
achievement and our Vision and Mission Statements are about student
receiving the best possible education. As an administrator, it is my duty to
support my staff.

u There will not be a 1.0 FTE reduction in the workforce!

u It is important to keep classroom sizes small.
u Teachers are one of the most important factor in student achievement (Bertolini et al.,
2012).

NOTES BELOW…
What We Will Reduce To Save 1.0 FTE
u Cut of Unlimited Supplies.
u There will be limited supplies for teachers this year, please plan to conserve in your
classroom.
u No New Department Large Purchases…budgets have been reduced.
u We will do our best to support each department, but the general budget for larger purchases
has been reduced. This year will be about the ”needs” not the “wants”.
u No Implementation of New Programs.
u New clubs and activities will be allowed, but a budget and stipend will not be available for
these activities this year. In order to still provide some funds for other activities, not large
purchases will be made.
u Maintaining Curricula Used Last Year.
u We will not implement new curricula but rather build on our existing curricula. The budget
required to implement new curricula, for supplies, professional development, purchasing of
resources, etc., is not available this year.
Plans to Promote Continual and
Sustainable School Improvement
u Teacher Team Leaders Stipends.
u Create teams in the school to help groups of teachers have the same population of students.
u Particularly in the 9th Grade level to help transition students into high school.
u This will allow for better planning and support for students in multiple content areas.
u Instructional Coaches Stipends.
u Have mentor teachers for newer teachers.
u Allows for growth in teaching pedagogy.
u Continued Implementation of Professional Development.

By May, we will improve from 12 out 36 to a 24 out of 36 in the areas of Staff Culture
and Leadership as measured by the SCL indicators on the Implementation Inventory.

NOTES BELOW…
School’s Vision and Mission of Equity and
Diversity
u Culturally Responsive Instructional Materials.
u All instructional materials have been evaluated and newly purchased culturally responsive
materials will be used in the classroom.
u All students should see themselves represented in the lessons.
u It is the school’s Mission to support and promote diversity in the school.
u Additional teachers for After School Program.
u Continuing programs after school that support the diverse student population is important.
u Budget will be allocated for additional teachers for both academic support and club
sponsorship support for students after school.
u It is the school’s Vision and Mission to support all students academic success.
u Second Language Literacy Instructional Materials
u Addition of materials in multiple languages, specifically Spanish, to support our diverse
population for students academic success.
NOTES BELOW…
Technological Resources to Manage
School Operations
u Use of 1:1 Chromebooks
u Continue to updated and support all students with an individual computer they can take home
and use.
u Many of our students do not have access to technology at home.
u Texas Instruments TI calculators
u Purchase updated calculators for students to use on State tests along with the ACT and SAT
for college readiness.
u Professional Development for staff on using technology in the classroom as a
substitute for paper and handouts.
u For example; Google Classroom, Remind App, Google Slides, etc.
 Management of School Operations
As a school, we will need to be responsible for being deliberate in our use of
supplies and resources. We will need to prioritize the needs of each department and
the maintenance of the building to be fiscally responsible. As staff, we will need to
support each other. This will be coming from the top. As an administrative team, we
will help prioritize repairs and supplies in the building. We will support everyone and
fill in when needed in any and all positions in the building. As a staff team we can
continue to grow and create a positive learning environment for the students.
u The plan has a budget in place for all basic supplies:
• Paper • Nurse Supplies
• Main Office Operating Expenses • Teacher Center Standard Supplies for Teachers
• Teacher Standard supplies. • Registrar Supplies
• Book Store Operating Expenses • IT Building Needs
• 9-10 grade Attendance Secretary Supplies • Principal Building Professional Development
• 9-10 grade Secretary Office Supplies • Principal Supplies/ Materials
• 11-12 grade Attendance Secretary Supplies • Purchase Services
• 11-12 grade Secretary supplies • Field trip Account
• Department Chairs IT Office needs • General supplies for the building (light bulbs, toilet
• Graduation programs & diplomas paper, cleaning supplies, etc.)
• Large print jobs (Printshop) • etc.
• Chromebook Charges for students

NOTES BELOW…
Using Our Diverse Community Resources
As a school, we will be looking to implement State and Federal Funding, such as
Title I Funds, to support students, teachers, and programs. We will also be tapping
into the community resources such as:
u Grants
u Applying for school-wide grants.
u Teachers are encourage to apply for classroom grants. Resources will be provided by
administration to help with applications.
u Boosters
u Continuing to support and use Booster funds for activities, clubs, and sports.
u The Boosters will be granted more opportunities to fundraise at school events.
u PTO
u Tap into the parent community and find ways to have parents support teachers in the
classroom.
u Use the parent support to help fill gaps in supplies and needs of each teacher’s classroom.

NOTES BELOW…
Advocate for Student Needs
u Student Activities and Clubs.
u The budget still includes funding for activities, clubs, and sports.
u Getting students involved in activities is not only beneficial for promoting the student’s interests, but also transferring those
stills into their academics and the classroom.
u Credit Recovery Programs Stipend .

u Graduation of each student in the school is part of the SIP.

u Funding and supporting Credit Recovery aligns with the school’s Mission.
u Students will be given a second chance with the implementation of this program in the budget.

u Stipend for Counselors.

u A student’s counselor is an advocate for their needs and academic success.

u Additional stipends are being put in place to help alleviate the overload of our current counselors and hire additional staff.
u MTSS Program
u Additional funds are being allocated to MTSS and its continued growth and outreach in the school.

u Identifying students who need additional support before Credit Recovery is required benefits the student’s needs.

By May, the development and implementation of the MTSS system will increase from a baseline score of 12 out of 40 to at
least a 30 out of 40 as evidenced by the identified SAM indicators on the Implementation Inventory.
Current Political Initiatives and
Emerging Trends
u PBIS
u Implementation of a Positive Behavior System in the school, per state requirement.
u PBIS Team Member Stipends.
u Finding ways to promote positive behavior rather than only addressing negative
behavior is a trend in education and an initiative in the state.
u Social Workers
u Student Social-Emotional Learning is an important initiative.
u Adding additional social workers to support students in the school is part of the
budget plan for this year.

NOTES BELOW…
Monitoring and Evaluating the
Improvement Plan
u As an administrative team, we have put in place responsibilities for each of the
administrators. Detailed notes will be kept throughout the school year on ways to
improve for next year and continue to adjust the budget for the future. An audit of all
funds will be run.
u Department Head will oversee their funds and implementation of the new materials.
u The Activities Director will oversee all funds related to activities, clubs, and sports.
They will also act as a liaison to the Boosters.
u Data will be collected on student achievement and reviewed by the committee.
u The head of Building and Grounds will oversee the supplies and operations of the
building and reduced supplies.
u The secretaries will oversee and monitor the reduced supplies, paper, and copies
allotted to staff.
u All technology will be overseen by the IT Department.
u Collaborative conversation will continue to take place with all stakeholders where the
current needs will continue to be discussed.
 References
Berger, E. (2022). Does Your Child’s Class Size Matter? U.S. News & World Report.

https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/does-your-childs-class-size-matter

Bertolini, K., Stremmel, A., & Thorngren, J. (2012). Student Achievement Factors. Department of Education.

https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED568687.pdf

Grand Canyon University. (2023). How Using Technology in Teaching Affects Classrooms.

https://www.gcu.edu/blog/teaching-school-administration/how-using-technology-teaching-affects-classrooms

National Policy Board for Educational Administration. (2015). Professional standards for educational leaders. National

Policy Board for Educational Administration. http://www.npbea.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Professional-

Standards-for-Educational-Leaders_2015.pdf

Rebora, A. (2011). Professional Development. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/professional-

development/2004/09