The Challenges Of Budgetary Management In Horry County Schools

Register to read the introduction… In order to accomplish this task it is necessary that the district prepare a documented plan of action that outlines the financial resources to be utilized in order to achieve specific objectives (Horry County Schools [HCS], 2005). It is necessary to assign budgetary responsibilities to specific school district officials in order to ensure the completion of the budget process and to achieve the benefits of good budgetary management. Specifically the district superintendent and chief financial officer have the responsibility for developing the budget based on collected data and expected revenue for the upcoming fiscal year. The superintendent is also charged with the responsibility of presenting the proposed budget to the school board. Once the information has been presented it is the responsibility of the school board to review the budget and hold a public hearing, modifying it as necessary, and approving it for implementation prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. Again, the superintendent and chief financial officer have the responsibility for the implementation of the budget, which is then passed on to each building administrator. Once the budget has been implemented only the school board has the authority to alter the budget during the fiscal year although the authority may be delegated on …show more content…
Susan Furr, bookkeeper at the Academy for the Arts, Science, & Technology, states that the general funds that are available and sent to each individual school are based on student enrollment and are usually adjusted after a 45-day count has been completed. The chief officer for each specific department handles funds for special programs and federal funding allocations. Included in this area are things such as Title I funds or Perkins funds for vocational programs (S. Furr, personal communication, October 9, …show more content…
This money is placed into the school budget and can be used only by purchase orders. These purchase orders must be approved by the building administrator prior to the purchases being made. This not only maintains a record for the school district, but the donating organization can review the purchases to be certain the funds are being used in ways that were intended. An audit is conducted on an annual basis as an integral part of the decision-making process of the Horry County school board. This helps to define the expenditures made by individual schools and assists in determining the budgets for the new school year. In this way, taxpayers can hold the school district fully accountable for monies the district has been entrusted with (S. Furr, personal interview, October 9, 2005). When addressing district and school goals in relation to budgetary needs, the superintendent, school board, and school administrators must continue to seek ways for the citizens of Horry County to receive more for their dollars. Examining the efficient use of funds by continually reviewing all instructional programs to determine their effectiveness and importance to the overall district goals is necessary to maximize both the revenue and expenditure sides of the