What I learned about the Superintendent’s role in the budgeting process: 

I learned that the superintendent serves as Chief Executive Officer for the district. As CEO, the superintendent plays a role in the beginning, middle, and end of the budget-making process.  In this role, he/she must oversee the operation of the annual school budget, recommend district goals, develop a timeline, and provide periodic updates to the school board and administrators.   Even though our district has a chief financial officer, she must consult with the superintendent before any final decision is made.  The superintendent’s interaction is not limited to the CFO.  The superintendent serves as a liaison between the district and the community at large. The superintendent must interact with a cast of stakeholders including, but not limited to, campus administrators, central office staff, community members, and the school board.  The key relationship in the budget making process is the superintendent’s interaction with the school board.  It is through this relationship that the budget is prepared, outlined, and approved.  After approval, the superintendent must continue to conduct periodic monitoring of the budget.  In our district, the superintendent completes the above tasks, as well as completing these additional tasks: reviewing budget planning calendar, presenting staffing plan to the board, conducting a budget workshop, and interacting with administrators, budget committee, chief financial officer, and the board of trustees as budget making tasks are completed.  The superintendent also deals with community members, media, and political leaders in the district.  The superintendent helps develop district goals, project revenues and expenditures, allocate resources, maintain buildings and facilities, sustain transportation, and pay salaries within budget guidelines.  A superintendent can only fulfill his/her obligations with the support of the school board, community, and district personnel.  To gain this support, a superintendent must use flexible thinking, collaboration, and shared decision-making to make the budget making process more efficient and effective.

Reflection

The superintendent roles and responsibilities in the budget making process are critical to the success of the district.  I was not truly aware of how pivotal of a role the superintendent plays in the district.  The superintendent, though, is not an island.  He/she must be able to depend on campus administrators, central office staff, community members, and the school board to help him/her accomplish this task.  Each stakeholder plays a key role in the budget-making process and the superintendent’s role requires that he/she keep the goals of the district and students in mind.  The superintendent serves as a liaison between the district and the community at large.  The superintendent plays a role in the entire of the budget-making process.  The superintendent helps develop district goals, allocate resources, project revenues and expenditures, sustain transportation, maintain buildings and facilities, , and pay salaries within budget guidelines.  A superintendent can only fulfill his/her obligations with the support of the school board, community, and district personnel.  I realize that as a future superintendent, that I must earn this support by using flexible thinking, collaboration, and shared decision-making to make the budget making process more efficient and effective.