This is a two-part assignment. In the first part of the assignment, review best practices for school building budgeting on the following issues: instruction, instructional support, resources for students with special needs , leadership, and physical resources. Using the literature as a guide, use a school’s demographic data to develop a “best practices budget.” Calculate how many and what kinds of personnel are needed and multiply it by the average cost for that personnel type to generate a line item budget for the next school year. A copy of your current school budget may prove helpful.
Next, consider Odden and Piccus’s argument that to improve academic outcomes, spending on core subject teachers should be increased by 25%. Calculate 25% of the core subject area personnel on their current budget and calculate the cost. Then make cuts to the rest of the budget to make up for the increase in core subject area spending . Rely on settled and emerging best practices, consider the role of the national accountability movement , consider the needs of special student groups (ELL, SPED, high-poverty, etc.), and consider relevant laws in making your choices.
Submit the original and revised budgets along with a 2-3 page paper justifying your budget reduction choices
