DB:  ANNUAL BUDGET

The School Committee recognizes that financial resources and the proper management of same are fundamental to the support of school programs and operations.  With this in mind, the School Committee will develop and present an annual operating budget as directed by applicable laws.

The annual budget will be for a 12-month period covering the fiscal year July 1 through June 30.

The School Committee shall designate the Superintendent as its budget officer, but he/she may delegate portions of such responsibility as appropriate.

The three general areas of responsibility of the Superintendent as budget officer are budget preparation, budget presentation and budget administration.

The Superintendent will prepare a budget planning calendar that allows the School Committee to have sufficient time to study the proposed budget and to prepare for presentation of the budget to the Town Council and the public.

The School Committee expects the Superintendent to develop a process for staff input in the initial stages of budget planning as it affects the instructional program, school activities and the operations of the schools.

While the School Department is required to budget only for the next fiscal year, the School Committee believes that long-range planning is essential to sound management of school system finances and encourages the Superintendent to assess the School Department’s needs and make recommendations to the School Committee in anticipation of future budgets.

Adopted:                May 17, 2011

Legal Reference:         20-A MRSA §§ 1482-1487; 2307; 15691 et seq.

                                 Charter of the Town of Kittery § 6.01-6.02