BP 3100

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Business and Non-Instructional Operations

 

Budget

 

The Governing Board accepts responsibility for adopting a sound budget that is aligned with the district's vision, goals and priorities.  The district budget shall guide administrative decisions and actions throughout the year and serve as a tool for monitoring the fiscal health of the district.

 

The district budget shall show a complete plan and itemized statement of all proposed expenditures and all estimated revenues for the following fiscal year, together with a comparison of revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year.  The budget shall also include the appropriations limit and the total annual appropriations.  (Education Code 42122)

 

Single budget adoption process

 

The Superintendent or designee shall establish an annual budget development process and calendar in accordance with the single budget adoption process described in Education Code 42127.

 

The Superintendent shall oversee the preparation of a proposed district budget for approval by the Board and shall involve appropriate staff at all levels in the development of budget projections.

 

The Board encourages public input in the budget development process and shall hold public hearings and meetings in accordance with law.

 

The Superintendent or designee may appoint a budget advisory committee, composed of members of the community and staff, to provide recommendations to the Superintendent during the budget development process.  Duties of the committee shall be clearly defined and communicated to all members.

 

In order to provide guidance in the development of the budget, the Board shall annually establish budget priorities based on identified district needs and goals and on realistic projections of available funds. The Board also shall establish budget assumptions or parameters which may take into consideration the district goals and priorities; the past, current and future fiscal obligations of the district, stability of funding sources, enrollment trends, legal requirements and constraints, anticipated increases and/or decreases in the cost of services and supplies, use of one-time resources, categorical program requirements, and any other factors necessary to ensure that the budget is a realistic plan for the district revenues and expenditures.

 

The Board shall establish and maintain a general fund reserve for economic uncertainty that meets or exceeds the requirements of 5 CCR 15443.

 

Prior to adopting the budget, the Board shall conduct a first-tier review, and if necessary a second-tier review, to ensure that the budget meets standards and criteria adopted by the State Board of Education. (Education Code 33127)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the district budget is clearly presented and effectively communicated to the Board, staff, and public.  He may adopt or supplement the state-required budget format as necessary for these purposes.

 

Whenever revenues and expenditures change significantly throughout the year, the Superintendent or designee shall recommend budget amendments to ensure accurate projections of the district's net ending balance.  Budget amendments may be submitted for Board approval when final figures for the previous year budget are available, collective bargaining agreements are made, expenditures or reserves must be decreased due to a decline in district income, increased revenues or unanticipated savings are made available to the district, program proposals are significantly different from those approved during the budget adoption, and/or other significant changes occur and impact budget projections.

 

Legal Reference:

Education Code

33127             Development of standards and criteria for local budgets and expenditures

33128             Standards and criteria

33129             Standards and criteria; use by local agencies

35035             Powers and duties of superintendent

35161             Powers and duties, generally, of governing board

42103             Public hearing on proposed budget; requirements for content of proposed budget; publication of notice of hearing

42103.3          Public budget information; CDE sampling and suggested improvements

42120-42129Budget requirements

42132            Resolutions identifying estimated appropriations limit

42602             Use of unbudgeted funds

42610            Appropriation of excess funds and limitation thereon

45253            First year budget of personnel commission

            45254             First year budget of personnel commission

 

Government Code

7900-7914     Expenditure limitations

 

Code of Regulations, Title 5

15440-15452Criteria and standards for school district budgets           

15467-15479Criteria and standards for county office of education budgets

 

 

 

Adopted:        4/9/86

Revised:         9/10/97, 5/9/07