FY26 Pre-Conference: Budget Development

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Planning to Product: A Comprehensive Guide to School Budget Development

This pre-conference outlines a comprehensive process for developing and presenting a school district budget, guiding participants from initial planning through final communication. The program begins by focusing on designing and managing the budget development cycle, emphasizing collaboration with superintendents and municipal partners while aligning timelines with required milestones and local calendars. It then examines the major cost drivers in district budgets, including staffing and salaries, facilities and utilities, and special education services, and explains how factors like enrollment projections and collective bargaining agreements influence financial forecasting. Participants also learn how to systematically collect, evaluate, and track budget proposals to ensure requests align with district priorities, regulatory requirements, and long-term fiscal sustainability. The final instructional session centers on assembling a cohesive budget document and presenting it clearly to stakeholders, using frameworks such as the ASBO Meritorious Budget Award model to enhance transparency and organization. Overall, the sessions equip attendees with strategies for developing disciplined budget processes, understanding financial drivers, and communicating budget decisions effectively to school committees and community partners.

Session descriptions posted on Handouts tab.