Budget Badge #01 - Budget Overview-Budget Badge #1

Budget Badge #1 - PowerPoint

Pdf Summary

This document provides an overview of Washington school district budgeting requirements and processes (WASBO Budget Badge #1). A budget is defined as a financial statement that serves as the primary tool for planning and controlling district operations. It must be integrated with the district’s accounting system to support planning, coordination, evaluation, and control.<br /><br />Key budget objectives include: creating an integrated operational plan aligned to the district mission; improving communication across management levels; ensuring accounting systems reflect expenditures/commitments and remaining resources; measuring performance by comparing budgeted vs. actual spending and staffing; and using historical data to support realistic budget development.<br /><br />Legal and procedural requirements emphasize that districts must prepare budgets in the OSPI-prescribed format and file the official Form F-195. Budgets are required for the General Fund and any other authorized governmental funds. Districts must prepare the annual budget on or before July 10 for the ensuing fiscal year. The budget process must also include a four-year budget plan (Form F-195F) with a four-year enrollment projection and estimates needed to sustain ongoing program/service costs and supplemental contract obligations. The annual budget must include a summary of this four-year plan.<br /><br />The F-195 includes estimated revenues and expenditures (budget year, current year, and actuals), beginning/ending restricted/committed/assigned fund balances, and transfers between funds. The F-195F summarizes four-year projections for enrollment, revenues, expenditures, and fund balances.<br /><br />Public hearing and adoption requirements include publishing notice (two consecutive weeks; last notice at least seven days before the hearing). Any person may comment. Budget adoption requires a board resolution passed by a majority vote and signed by the chair and secretary. Deadlines: First-class districts (2,000+ enrollment) adopt by August 31; second-class districts (under 2,000) adopt by August 1.<br /><br />The document also highlights using district-specific timelines, stakeholder communication, and accountability tools, and notes a final assessment (75% required) to earn the badge.

Keywords

Washington school district budgeting

WASBO Budget Badge #1

OSPI budget format requirements

Form F-195 annual budget

Form F-195F four-year budget plan

General Fund budgeting

four-year enrollment projections

public hearing budget adoption notice

school board budget resolution deadlines

budget vs actual expenditure performance