Let's see....I started doing the job of CTE Director while still doing my duties as a teacher. The first meeting I attended in my new "unofficial" position was review the budget. It would have been nice to know the difference between 014, 017, 5120,6120 and the myriad of other designations were before sitting with my new Boss-To-Be to decide where our newly passed budget would be best spent.
Over the space of the next two weeks, still prior to having the official title, I reviewed over 300 requistions and sent all of them back for revision. We have since fought through most of the issues and presented teachers with a basic set of supplies.
And, of course, there were the three PLTW labs needing upgrading that required multiple dicussions with the IT folks and then ended up in schools with no monitors, though they had been included on the initial requisition (and yes, I take full blame for the fopaw).
Let's see....what would have been nice to know....maybe something more than nothing...:)
I am a person that likes to be told exactly what should be spend from each line item. I agonized for months to make sure I was doing things like the previous director had. I read the fiscal and guide policy but I would welcome more information about best practices with 014, 017, and 023 monies.
Chandra Darr: It is a daunting task to manage the CTE budget being a new director. Clarifications of 013, 014, 017, 023, and moe's would really help. The new Fiscal and Policy Guide is on my desk and I seem to pick it up weekly trying to answer questions. A small session on amendments would also be helpful.
I had experience dealing with purchasing procedures from my days as a central office director in other capacities and from school-based principalships. The fiscal and policy guide was helpful in making sure I used the right codes for the right amounts. In addition, the records kept by our financial folks have helped in formulating budgets to schools. The frustrating thing I have dealt with was the release of 017 money. I had bills to pay and no way to pay them until late September. I won't repeat that mistake.
I already have experience developing and managing school budgets from my experience as a principal and district director. Currently, I manage local, state, and federal budgets for six different program areas. It can be a challenge to keep up with all the restrictions and do's and don'ts for each budget.
That said....the CTE budget is a whole new animal to me. There seem to be many different kinds of restrictions on what can be spent from all the different funds. I am not sure that I really understand all the restrictions and would really benefit from a fund by fund tutorial.
Also, I would really benefit from hearing how other school systems allocate funds for different programs and schools. Our former director held all the money and then allocated it out on an as-needed basis. Other ideas?
I have had experience with High School level CTE budgets as a principal and Central Office budgets as a director. While the budget codes for CTE are unique, they operate under similar regulations as Title I and II funds.
After spending a morning with our Director, Eric Porter, and our Finance Director, I feel prepared to monitor our budget. The challenge rests in aligning our budget with the priorities set forth in our local plan. we will need to review the budget after writing next years plan with our stakeholders. The linking of these two should help improve our service to students.
Have a good few weeks and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
I have had limited experience with the Fiscal and Policy Guide but I reference it almost daily. I had an excellent session this week with my RC who cleared up many of my questions. I had time and effort forms questions and questions on how to discard old equipment. I realize that becoming proficient with budget codes will take experience with them. I am truly looking forward to our December session. Why in the world is my picture attached to three posts....I needed a good laugh tonight!
CTE is so different from my educational background. I would just like to see some organizational strategies for how best to organize the information and how best to communicate the information. Greg Little
I have a lot of expericence with the budget process in general because of the other positions I hold or held. I do know that CTE tends to operate in a different demension at times and am looking forward to spending some time on it in December. I am looking forward to talking with other directors from other districts to learn their budget process and ideas.
I have had limited experience with the fiscal policy. We discuss it often at team meetings and I know that it affects my job as an IMC. I'm looking forward to learning alot during this session.
I am over 74 Family and Consumer Science teachers in my system. I remember the first month on the job I recieved all of the requisitions for supplies, equipment, etc. from all of them. Trying to figure out the budget codes was a true nightmare.I still find myself referring to cheat sheets constantly.
Let's see....I started doing the job of CTE Director while still doing my duties as a teacher. The first meeting I attended in my new "unofficial" position was review the budget. It would have been nice to know the difference between 014, 017, 5120,6120 and the myriad of other designations were before sitting with my new Boss-To-Be to decide where our newly passed budget would be best spent.
ReplyDeleteOver the space of the next two weeks, still prior to having the official title, I reviewed over 300 requistions and sent all of them back for revision. We have since fought through most of the issues and presented teachers with a basic set of supplies.
And, of course, there were the three PLTW labs needing upgrading that required multiple dicussions with the IT folks and then ended up in schools with no monitors, though they had been included on the initial requisition (and yes, I take full blame for the fopaw).
Let's see....what would have been nice to know....maybe something more than nothing...:)
I LOVE my new job!
I am a person that likes to be told exactly what should be spend from each line item. I agonized for months to make sure I was doing things like the previous director had. I read the fiscal and guide policy but I would welcome more information about best practices with 014, 017, and 023 monies.
ReplyDeleteChandra Darr:
ReplyDeleteIt is a daunting task to manage the CTE budget being a new director. Clarifications of 013, 014, 017, 023, and moe's would really help. The new Fiscal and Policy Guide is on my desk and I seem to pick it up weekly trying to answer questions. A small session on amendments would also be helpful.
I had experience dealing with purchasing procedures from my days as a central office director in other capacities and from school-based principalships. The fiscal and policy guide was helpful in making sure I used the right codes for the right amounts. In addition, the records kept by our financial folks have helped in formulating budgets to schools. The frustrating thing I have dealt with was the release of 017 money. I had bills to pay and no way to pay them until late September. I won't repeat that mistake.
ReplyDeleteScott Elliott:
ReplyDeleteI already have experience developing and managing school budgets from my experience as a principal and district director. Currently, I manage local, state, and federal budgets for six different program areas. It can be a challenge to keep up with all the restrictions and do's and don'ts for each budget.
That said....the CTE budget is a whole new animal to me. There seem to be many different kinds of restrictions on what can be spent from all the different funds. I am not sure that I really understand all the restrictions and would really benefit from a fund by fund tutorial.
Also, I would really benefit from hearing how other school systems allocate funds for different programs and schools. Our former director held all the money and then allocated it out on an as-needed basis. Other ideas?
Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!
Scott
Hmm...maybe I wish I was Chandra, but not sure why her pretty picture attached to my post!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have had experience with High School level CTE budgets as a principal and Central Office budgets as a director. While the budget codes for CTE are unique, they operate under similar regulations as Title I and II funds.
ReplyDeleteAfter spending a morning with our Director, Eric Porter, and our Finance Director, I feel prepared to monitor our budget. The challenge rests in aligning our budget with the priorities set forth in our local plan. we will need to review the budget after writing next years plan with our stakeholders. The linking of these two should help improve our service to students.
Have a good few weeks and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
-Drew
I have had limited experience with the Fiscal and Policy Guide but I reference it almost daily. I had an excellent session this week with my RC who cleared up many of my questions. I had time and effort forms questions and questions on how to discard old equipment. I realize that becoming proficient with budget codes will take experience with them. I am truly looking forward to our December session. Why in the world is my picture attached to three posts....I needed a good laugh tonight!
ReplyDeleteCTE is so different from my educational background. I would just like to see some organizational strategies for how best to organize the information and how best to communicate the information. Greg Little
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of expericence with the budget process in general because of the other positions I hold or held. I do know that CTE tends to operate in a different demension at times and am looking forward to spending some time on it in December. I am looking forward to talking with other directors from other districts to learn their budget process and ideas.
ReplyDeleteI have been in a position for several years to work with federal budgets. I am interested in learning about other CTE directors' budgeting processes.
ReplyDeleteI have had limited experience with the fiscal policy. We discuss it often at team meetings and I know that it affects my job as an IMC. I'm looking forward to learning alot during this session.
ReplyDeleteI am over 74 Family and Consumer Science teachers in my system. I remember the first month on the job I recieved all of the requisitions for supplies, equipment, etc. from all of them. Trying to figure out the budget codes was a true nightmare.I still find myself referring to cheat sheets constantly.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMarty Tobey said.....
ReplyDelete