MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Budgeting for Technology Plans “Reality and current environment” Robert Dwan Associate Executive Director Michigan School Business Officials

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Overview Current Economic Factors State Aid Foundation Enrollment Retirement and Benefits Transparency/Efficiency

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN So…. where do we go from here? 3

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 4 Fiscal Year Foundation Allowance Enrollment – Number of Students Taxable Value – Local Revenues Categorical Funds MPSERS – School Retirement System Fund Balance “Shared Services”

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 5 Fiscal Year The time period covered by the districts financial statements School District = July 1 – June 30 State and Federal = October 1 – Sept 30

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 6 Foundation Allowance This is the amount received by the district on a per pupil basis Originated out of Proposal A Used to fund general fund expenditures A portion is collected locally through tax millage What’s not collected locally is received from the State through monthly State Aid Payments* *11 months only, no September payment

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 7 Enrollment – Number of Students “Count Day” twice a year Determines the number of students for which the district will receive funding Is based on a Full Time Equivalent or “FTE” School Year Count Dates Winter Count – February 8, 2012 = 10%. Fall Count – October 3, 2012 = 90%.

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 8 Taxable Value The value accessed to properties that pay local operating millage, debt millage, sinking fund millage, and other millages collected by the district or ISD Changes year-to-year Directly impacts funds available to cover costs of debt and other obligations

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 9 Categorical Funds Funds received by the district for a specific purpose May/may not be used for specific purpose Controlled by State or Federal Funds in addition to regular foundation

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 10 MPSERS – School Retirement System Retirement system covering school employees Generally the second largest expense of the district. (Currently 24.46% of Payroll) Undergoing reforms Projected rate for = 27.37% Projected rate for = 31.21%

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 11 Fund Balance A financial term that describes the difference between Assets and Liabilities of the district “Rainy Day” Fund Does not represent cash available May be used as a measurement of financial health Recommended to be 15%-20%

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of Schools Finance 12 “Shared Services” “Buzzword” describing the delivery of service between entities An example may be Tech/Business services being supported by staff at one district for another district Promotes best practice

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Current School Aid Fund 13 No increase in Foundation Allowance Property values decreasing MPSERS Rate increases No “new money” One-time revenues Much talk about consolidating systems Software/Reporting/Operations etc. No funding to do it!!

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN 14 Personality Types and the Finance World According to psychometric testers there are distinct personality types that are the right fit for a job in finances. The top personality types are: introverted, sensing, feeling, judging They tend to be: cautious, gentle and thoughtful and they seem to be easily offended Basics of Business Manager

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN 15 Personality Types and the Finance World Other traits include: well organized, diligent and very stable They enjoy a predictable life and the ability to help others in and out of the workplace. In short …they don’t like budget SURPRISES!! Basics of Business Manager

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Basics of the IT Professional What you need to be a successful IT Professional……. Patience, patience and more patience Ability to adapt quickly to change A positive outlook The effective IT professional is not a 9 to 5 A love for challenge A PARTNER to your Business Manager 16

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Tips for success… What the Business Manager needs: To be involved in the development of the Tech Plan Potential Funding Sources Multi year plan Why this is important to the district What additional costs may be involved? Who is responsible for carrying out the Plan? What are the needs vs. wants? What happens if we don’t follow thru on the Plan? 17

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Tips for success… What the IT Professional can do……. Meet regularly with the Business Manager Have “documented” system “Manage” the Plan; Update Management Team Make the Plan a regular discussion point with staff Be prepared to be let down……financially Be the “realist” in the planning process Show the “cost of ownership” and “return on investment” to the Business Manager Be positive about the planning process and Plan 18

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Bottom Line School funding is tight Expenditures with the biggest benefit “usually” prevail The lack of involvement of the Business Manager in the Tech Plan development can make or break its’ implementation Tech is essential to the success of our students….now and in the future! 19

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Your Turn….. Questions? Comments? 20

MICHIGAN SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICIALS BE A CHAMPION FOR ALL CHILDREN Robert Dwan Michigan School Business Officials 1001 Centennial Way, Suite 200 Lansing, Michigan Contact Information……