A goal driven budget is designed to define the importance of each goal set forth and determine the order in which these goals should be addressed. In using this type of budget, the school district must plan the importance of each goal and the budget needed to ensure the goal is reached. In doing this, the school district must order the goals according to importance to the district. Once the goals are ordered from the District Educational Improvement Committee, the school board along with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent determine which goals are to be implemented the next school year. This type of planning is necessary to establish a strong community backing as well as have buy-in from all staff members, too.
Huffman ISD has established a District Improvement Plan that works toward the attainment of the District’s Vision, which is to empower students to be responsible, life-long learners who are prepared to succeed in personal and professional life (District Improvement Plan, 2011). The District Educational Improvement Committee has worked extremely hard to establish district goals, place these goals according to importance, and list how meeting these goals will improve campuses as well as Huffman ISD. Each meeting, this committee listens to campus representatives who explain their campus goals and how they plan to implement these goals. Then, each campus votes on their top goal to implement and look for majority votes. The Board and the Superintendent then look at these goals and determine whether we can include them in the budget. Once the decision is made, the next step would be to include them in the budget and relay that information to the rest of the Committee members.
Huffman ISD has set goals for the school district to improve the performance of students. One of the goals in Huffman ISD’s plan is to improve the level of proficiency in the use of technology. This goal is backed with resources to help implement training for teachers, materials for staff, and improving the infrastructure at all campuses. The committee set a budget for achieving this goal and once this goal was reached; our classrooms will have technological equipment needed to enhance the education of our students. We will have wireless systems in our schools as well as laptops for students to access. This will enable our students to utilize distance learning opportunities, electronic microscopes, kindles, cameras, and many other things to improve the quality of learning at our schools. This is one goal that is very attainable for our district but will also improve the quality of education we are able to give our students at each campus.
According to Jean Isaly, it takes a strong relationship between the Board members and the Superintendent to make the school district effective. As an aspiring Superintendent, I believe that the constant communication with the Board members keeps the district running smoothly and effectively. From the lecture, we are able to understand the relationship between the board and the Superintendent is based on trust. This means that the Superintendent has a duty to keep the board informed and up to date on important things that occur in the district. In doing this, there is constant communication between this team which keeps them prepared and knowledgeable about issues and expectations within the school district.
