School+and+District+Budget

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=**School and District Budget**=

__**2009-2010 School Budgets At a Glance**__
Minneapolis, MN School District - $666,398,718 Milwaukee, WI School District - $1,072,818,849 Independent District 196 (Apple Valley, MN) - $323,000,000 Eau Claire, WI School District - $143,352,471 Edina, MN School District - $104,528,916 Hudson, WI School District - $64,324,012

__**Who develops the budget?**__
The school board is the governing body of the school district who is responsible for developing policy regarding the finances while supporting the mission of the district. Within the school district, a committee is formed to provide feedback to the school board regarding the budget. Members of the district administration, building administration, teachers, and support staff are assigned to the committee. School and District budgets may vary based on the governing body that oversees the school budget. Many times a district or a Board of Finance oversees the budget as each school does not have control over funds.

__**Who decides the school budget?**__
Ultimately the school budget is controlled by the local, state, and federal government governor. In Minnesota, although it varies per district, approximately 75% of a school and district's budget is funded by the state. Another 20% of the funds come from local taxes, 3% from local revenue, and 2% from Federal aid. The District or Board of Finance will go through a process of determining where the funds are allocated. A series of budget drafts are issued throughout the year and a finalized budget is issued in late spring for the following school year.

__**Where are the funds allocated?**__
Generally funds are allocated into three types of categories shown below. Within these categories are used only for general funds expenses, school operations expenses are separated for food services, community services, building, and debt services.

Salaries and Benefits - 88% Services - 8.5% Supplies and Materials - 3.5%
 * //General Fund Expenses Breakdown//**

__**Budget Five-Step Process**__ **- District 196**
1. Property Tax Levy: this is based on the current legislation and formulas and updated yearly per district. 2. Preliminary Budget: during the middle of each year, a district begins to make a preliminary budget for the next school year based on enrollment projections, budget forecast, development of staffing guidelines, and determination of revenue and expenditure. 3. Final Budget: Each fall the preliminary budget is finalized with staffing allocations and any law changes. 4. Budget Adjustments: In the spring, the budget is adjusted based on any federal and state grant programs and align closer with expenditures. 5. Annual Finance Report & Audit: During the late summer the budget is closed and financial statements are prepared. An audit is routinely done to ensure proper reporting.

__**Links**__: [|Minnesota Dept of Education] [|Wisconsin Dept of Education] [|Minneapolis School District] [|District 196 Budget] [|Edina School District]