School Effectiveness Criterion #12

This is real bread and butter stuff and educators trained in other than accounting skills need to be on top of such necessities.

"Criterion #12 Our School’s Budget Spending Is Focussed On Improving

                             Student Learning  (Aligns with SDP elements #s 15,16,19)

 With one line budgeting for independent government schools there was an increased principal responsibility for how the money was spent.  For Tom the golden rule was to spend always with a view to improve student learning.  The medium term projections for spending should be reflected in a School Development Plan for say the next three to five years. This would also include processes for auditing the spending from an accounting point of view and evaluating the effectiveness of the spending for improving student learning.

Budgeting had also to take into account the projections for student numbers in the future.  An increasing student population placed pressure on building space, sufficient outdoor areas and of course staff numbers.

In respect of official accounting audits of the school budget there had to be total transparency to indicate compliance with accounting standards and to ensure honesty and integrity.

Part of making for a safe environment in a school was the need to spend on ensuring plant compliant with mandated Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.  It was also important to have essential OHS policies and procedures."

May the Force be with you!

GD