| School Board of Alachua County |
| Bylaws & Policies |
6231 - DISTRICT BUDGET SYSTEM
The District's operation and educational plan is reflected in its budget. The financial activities of the District shall be carried out in accord with the budget that is recommended by the Superintendent and adopted by the Board.
Preparation
Through the budget process the Board's goal is for its budget to be prepared in a needs-responsive, fiscally sound manner, with an emphasis on providing additional resources for any increase in recurring operating expenses.
The Superintendent shall prepare an annual District budget in the form by the State Department of Education. In formulating the budget, the Superintendent shall take into consideration the immediate and long range needs of the District's school system and student achievement data obtained pursuant to Florida law. The budget system shall be related to the goals and objectives of the District and its programs. To assure equity among schools and program elements, personnel and other resources shall be allocated to the schools on a formula basis or by other means as determined by the Board.
In accordance with this philosophy, the Board's goal is that the following procedures be adhered to in the preparation of the annual operating budget:
| A. | Balanced Budget | |
| The budget should be prepared to ensure that the operating fund recurring revenue budget for the fiscal year shall be equal to or greater than the recurring expenditure budget. | ||
| B. | Fund Balance Reserve | |
| An adequate fund balance reserve is necessary to cover unforeseen events (including but not limited to revenue shortfalls and student enrollment under projections). The adopted annual operating fund budget shall include, if feasible, a fund balance reserve which is at least four percent (4%) of the recurring expenditure budget. | ||
| C. | Performance-Pay Reserve | |
| In accordance with Florida law, the Board will include a reserve to fully fund an additional five percent (5%) supplement for qualifying school administrators and instructional personnel. The District's performance-pay policy is subject to negotiation as provided in Florida law. This policy shall continue in effect until the Florida law mandating this inclusion is amended or repealed. | ||
| D. | School Food Service Fund | |
| The School Food and Nutrition Services Fund shall be operated on a self-supporting basis utilizing Federal and State revenues, as well as customer revenues. The prices for meals shall, therefore, be maintained at a level adequate to sustain a balanced budget. |
It is the Board's policy that the procedures enumerated above shall be controlling unless unusual circumstances dictate otherwise. In such instances, any variances from the guidelines will be highlighted and explained prior to the adoption of the budget by the Board.
Adoption
The Superintendent shall present the budget for review and adoption in accordance with the Truth in Millage (TRIM) calendar. After approval by the Board, the budget shall be submitted to the State Department of Education.
Adjustments to the original budget shall be made in accordance with the rules of the Board and in accordance with F.A.C. 6A-1.006.
Implementation of Budget
Implementation of the official District budget shall give appropriations and reserves therein the force and effect of fixed appropriations and reserves, and the same shall not be altered, amended, or exceeded except as authorized. Expenditures may exceed the amount budgeted by function or object provided the Board approves the expenditures and amends the budget no later than the annual due date established by the State Department of Education for submitting the District's annual financial report.
The Board shall monitor the budget on a monthly basis.
General Fund
The Constitution of the State of Florida requires that the District operate under a balanced budget. The Board understands that there may be unforeseen circumstances that can result in increases or decreases in revenue and/or expenditures. These circumstances would thereby impact the financial stability of the District. As required by Florida statute, the Board shall maintain a general fund ending fund balance that is sufficient to address normal contingencies.
The Superintendent shall provide written notification to the Board and the Commission or Education any time the portion of the General Fund's ending fund balance not classified as restricted, committed, or nonspendable in the District's approved operating budget is projected to fall below three percent (3%) of projected General Fund revenues during the current fiscal year.
The District shall adhere to a policy of full and open public disclosure of its financial activities.
F.S. 1001.42, 1001.43, 1011.01, 1011.051, 1012.22(1)(c)
F.A.C. 6A-1.002, 6A-1.006
Adopted 7/17/07
Revised 5/3/11
Revised 3/20/12
© Alachua 2012