Goal Driven Budget Assignment -- Week 2

             A goal-driven budget should be a balance between the educational needs of students and the ability of the school district and state to provide the necessary financial support to serve them.  A goal-driven budget should be developed from a district’s mission statement, vision, and strategic goals. In the Week 2 lecture, Dr. Elvis Arterbury sates that a goal-driven budget should reflect the Board’s district goals, the district’s District Improvement Plan, and each Campus Improvement Plan; and that the budgeting process should reflect a commitment to expending funds to achieve these goals. My district’s business manager explained that the goal-driven budget process can be achieved from beginning to end through a series of seven steps:  budget planning, budget preparation, school board review, budget adoption, tax rate adoption, budget amendments, and audited financial statements. Dr. Arterbury, also states that the purpose of a goal-driven budget is to assist in the attainment of a shared vision for the school district as well as each campus.

            The PN-GISD Education Improvement Plan focuses on seven goals: Improvement of Academic Performance; Governance and Management; Parental and Community Involvement; Attendance; Safety; Technology; and Recruitment and Retention. Each goal is supported by objectives and the objectives are supported by initiatives, strategies, or activities.  In addition, each initiative, strategy, or activity outlines person(s) responsible, a timeline, resources, and evaluation. When considering a goal-driven budget in relation to our District Improvement Plan, one can see that the plan clearly identifies the district goals and identifies resources (funds) for funding the goals. 

            For example, Goal 1 (Improvement of Academic Performance), Objective 1 (90% of students in each student group, as indicated in AEIS and AYP, will meet the TAKS passing standard for Reading/ELA), lists the following strategy:  “Provide remedial instruction for identified elementary and secondary students utilizing Title I teachers at eligible campuses, continue Title I reading program, integrate instructional technology in classrooms, explore and implement research-based instructional programs and interventions, and explore availability of reading improvement software to enhance reading skills for at-risk students.  Not only are the specific activities identified, but funding resources are listed. The funding sources identified for this goal/objective/activity include Title Funds, ARRA Funds, and Local Funds.  Other funding sources identified in the plan include Title III funds, Title II Part D, Title II Part A, state funds, and grants. All goals in the PN-GISD District Improvement Plan are identified in this manner.

            Dr. Arterbury noted that the budgeting process should reflect a commitment to expending funds to achieve the Board goals, district goals, and campus goals. In my opinion, Port Neches-Groves ISD exemplifies Dr. Arterbury’s definition of a goal-driven budget.