Page 42 - The Edge2023 - Spring
P. 42
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
BY TYLER MOORE
Managing a School Budget Is Critical
to Student Success
Tyler Moore
As a school business official, one of the most language such as shipping directly to each school
critical responsibilities is to ensure that the school sites. By using its resources effectively, the school
district has adequate and effective financial district can allocate more money to areas that
management. Effective financial management directly impact student success, such as hiring
is essential in ensuring that schools can provide qualified teachers and purchasing educational
students with the resources and support they materials.
need to succeed. This article will discuss the
importance of effective financial management in Effective financial management also helps to
schools and how it can impact student success. ensure that the school is prepared for unexpected
expenses, such as repairs and renovations. By
One of the primary responsibilities of a school setting aside funds for emergency situations,
business official is to manage the school's budget. the school district can avoid having to dip
This includes determining the amount of money into its operating budget, which could impact
available to the school, allocating funds to various student success. Furthermore, effective financial
programs and departments, and monitoring management helps schools to prepare for long-
the school's spending. Effective financial term investments, such as the construction of
management ensures that schools have sufficient new buildings or the purchase of new technology,
funds to provide students with the resources they which can help to ensure that the school remains
need to succeed, such as textbooks, technology, competitive and provides students with the
and extracurricular activities. This may seem resources they need to succeed.
relatively simple, but often the complication
comes with the implementation and oversight of Finally, effective financial management is critical
those budgets. to ensuring that school districts have the resources
they need to provide students with the education
Another important aspect of effective financial they deserve. By managing the school district’s
management is ensuring that the school district budget efficiently, allocating funds effectively,
is spending its money efficiently. This includes and preparing for unexpected expenses, school
ensuring that the school is not overspending on business officials can help to ensure that their
certain areas, such as administration, and that it school district remains competitive and that
is getting the best value for its money. students have the support they need to succeed.
For example, the school may consider purchasing
bulk supplies or negotiating contracts with vendors Tyler Moore, Higley Unified School District Chief
to reduce costs. Many districts utilize a central Financial Officer and AASBO Treasurer can be reached at:
warehouse for purchasing supplies in bulk, while Tyler.Moore@husd.org
others negotiate multi-year contracts that include
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42 THE EDGE SPRING 2023
