DBC - School Budget Adoption
Book: D
Section: Fiscal Management
Title: School Budget Adoption
Code: DBC
Status: Active
Adopted: February 6, 1984
Last Revised: November 9, 2011
SCHOOL BUDGET ADOPTION
The School Board shall provide for the adoption of an annual school budget for the fiscal year July 1 to June 30 in accordance with applicable statutes, policies, regulations and the City Charter. The annual budget shall be developed within the context of the Portland Public Schools’ multi-year budget.
This policy provides a broad overview of the budget adoption process and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of each step in the budget process.
It is the policy of the Board to encourage employee and public participation in the budget-making process and opportunities for such participation shall be provided at appropriate points in the process.
- The Superintendent shall establish the schedule for the annual budget process each year, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer, the Finance Committee and City officials.
- The Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer are responsible for gathering data necessary for preparation of the annual budget. They shall provide such budget information and supporting documentation as the School Board and Finance Committee may request for their budget considerations and decisions. They shall provide such available budget information and supporting documentation as City Council, the City Manager, or their designees may reasonably request in the accomplishment of their responsibilities for the school or City budget.
- Building and cost center administrators shall complete budget requests in consultation with staff and in the format specified by the Superintendent.
- The Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer shall develop a draft annual budget, using the multi-year budget as a resource (the “Superintendent’s Proposed Budget”). The Superintendent’s Proposed Budget shall be prepared for presentation in a format consistent with Charter requirements and Maine law.
- In accordance with the Charter, no later than March 15 (i.e., by the School Board’s last meeting prior to March 15), the Superintendent shall present the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget to the School Board. The School Board shall forward it to the Finance Committee.
- Following the submittal and referral of the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, School Board or the Finance Committee shall hold at least two (2) public hearings on the school budget. The Finance Committee shall review the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget (using the multi-year budget as a resource), hold workshops and recommend adjustments to the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, as necessary.
- In accordance with the Charter, during the 30 days following submission of the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget, the School Board or its designated subcommittees shall meet jointly at least twice with the City Council or its designated subcommittees to review the proposed budget. In accordance with the Charter, during that time, the Superintendent and City Manager shall provide information regarding the Superintendent’s Proposed Budget that is reasonably requested by the School Board and the City Council, or their designated subcommittees.
- In accordance with the Charter, not later than the last Monday in April (i.e., by its last meeting before that date), the School Board shall approve an annual budget and submit it to the City Council; thereafter, the Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer shall provide the City Council with such information relating to the budget as the City Council shall require.
- In accordance with the Charter, the City Council shall hold a hearing on the annual budget, after which the Council shall act upon the school budget in accordance with Article III, section 5, paragraph 5 of the Charter.
- Following the City Council vote, a school budget validation referendum shall be held, unless the budget validation referendum process is discontinued by the voters or the State Legislature
- Following final approval of the annual budget, the Chief Financial Officer shall include it in the multi-year budget document.
Legal References: Portland City Charter, Article III, Section 5
20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1485 et seq.; 2307
Cross Reference: DA – Multi-Year Budgeting and Fiscal Management Goals
DI – Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
DIC – Budget Oversight and Administration
Adopted: February 6, 1984
Revised: August 26, 1992; August 6, 2003; November 9, 2011
Legal
20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1485 et seq.; 2307
Portland City Charter, Article III, Section 5
Cross References
DIC – Budget Oversight and Administration
DI – Fiscal Accounting and Reporting