A chief financial officer’s predominant job focus is preparing, managing, and executing a school district’s budget. Understand the application of enrollment projections, budget assumptions in developing a budget as well as major revenues and expenses that comprise a school budget. Learn practical ways to amend budgets, presentation of budgets to staff, the board of education, and community. Group work will focus on building a budget, sharing details, and simulating board and community presentations of a budget. Details of a school district’s yearly audit process will also be highlighted.
Download the Agenda
Updated 10/25
Presentations and Materials
October 29, 2024
9:00 – 9:30 am
Every school district has a story. What will you be sharing with your board of education and community? As you build your budget and understand your revenues and expenditures, what will you be sharing with your board of education and/or community? Learn the tools you will need to create this story.
Presenter(s): Kathy Konon, L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
9:30 – 9:50 am*
Review the Accounting Manual and other resources. examine property taxes along with the necessary school expenses.
Presenter(s): Christopher May, MDE
9:50 – 10:15 am*
Understand how schools are funded and how property taxes work with school funding.
Presenter(s): Phil Boone, MDE
10:15 – 10:30 am
Break
10:30 – 12:00 pm
Assumptions – what do you know about your district?
Presenter(s): James English, Cassopolis Public Schools
12:00 – 12:45 pm
Lunch
12:45 – 1:45 pm*
Understand the legalities of a budget and timelines of school budgets.
Presenter(s): James English, Cassopolis Public Schools
1:45 – 2:15 pm
Presenting your budget – sharing examples and tips for understandable presentations.
Presenter(s): Steve Lenar, Holly Area Schools
2:15 – 2:30 pm
Break
2:30 – 4:00 pm
Build your budget. Work in groups to build an actual budget based on a case study provided.
Facilitator(s): Steve Lenar, Holly Area Schools
October 30, 2024
9:00 – 10:30 am
Participants will present their budget to the group. Each group will have an opportunity to critique and learn from each other on what information is shared with staff, the board of education and your community.
Presenter(s): Steve Lenar, Holly Area Schools
Handouts
- Budget Presentation 1
- Budget Presentation 2
- Budget Presentation 3
- Budget Presentation 4
- Budget Presentation 5
- Budget Presentation 6
- Budget Presentation 7
- Budget Presentation 8
- Budget Presentation 9
- Budget Presentation 10
- Budget Presentation 11
- Budget Presentation 12
10:30 – 10:45 am
Break
10:45 – 12:00 pm*
Execution/reconciliation of the budget. Discuss practical ways revenue is recorded, the payment of bills, and managing the budget. Share examples of what transparency means in working with school budgets.
Presenter(s): Mike Klosowski, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools
12:00 – 12:45 pm
Lunch
12:45 – 2:00 pm
What happens when the amount budgeted doesn’t match the actual? These deviations from the budget are critical and must be explained. Learn techniques on what you need to do to keep the board and community informed.
Presenter(s): Carrie Sekelsky, Clio Area Schools
2:00 – 2:15 pm
Break
2:15 – 4:15 pm*
Learn to prepare your fund-level and district-wide financial statements. Understand how to prepare for your auditor. Everything you need to know about an audit report and what it means to you and your district. The Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) Report process will be reviewed.
Presenter(s): Christie Bueche, Dexter Community Schools