One of the primary responsibilities of the Board of Education is to secure adequate funds to conduct
a quality program of education in the school district. The annual school budget represents a written
document presenting the Board's plan for allocation of the available financial resources into an
explicit expenditure plan to sustain and improve the educational function of the school district. It
is a legal document describing the programs to be conducted during the fiscal year and is the basis
for the establishment of tax rates for the district.
The planning and preparation of the budget is a continuing process. It must involve a number of
people who have knowledge of the educational needs of the community and who can provide
accurate data in regard to the financial potential of the district. Members of the Board, citizens,
students and professional and support staff members should be involved in the planning process,
which culminates in the preparation of the budget document. The superintendent will establish
procedures that seek input from the appropriate people on budgetary needs and that consider the
priorities established by the Board.
The Board designates the business manager to serve as the budget officer of the district. As budget
officer, the business manager will direct the planning and preparation of the budget and will submit
it to the Board for approval. The business manager will present to the Board a tentative budget
proposal for the following year and will present the final budget proposal before the new fiscal year
begins, as provided by law.
The Board may revise the items contained therein and will at that meeting adopt the portion of the
budget dealing with the salary schedule and the needed tax rate for the district. Should the adopted
budget require an increase in the tax levy above the authorized level that the Board may levy, the tax
levy increase shall be presented to the voters for approval. The budget shall be appropriately
adjusted if the voters fail to pass the tax levy increase. The Board will conduct at least one (1) public
hearing regarding the proposed budget and taxation rate.
The annual budget document shall present a completed financial plan for the ensuing fiscal year and
shall include at least the following statutory requirements:
► A budget message describing the important features of the budget and major changes from
the preceding year.
► Estimated revenues to be received from all sources for the fiscal year, with a comparative
statement of actual or estimated revenues for the two (2) years next preceding, itemized by
year, fund and source.
► Proposed expenditures for each department, office and other classification for the fiscal year,
with a comparative statement of actual or estimated expenditures for the two (2) years
preceding, itemized by year, fund, activity and object.
► The amount required for the payment of interest, amortization and redemption charges on
the debt of the school district.
► A general budget summary.
In no event shall the total proposed expenditures from any fund exceed the estimated revenues to be
received plus any unencumbered balance or less any deficit estimated for the beginning of the fiscal
year. Upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the Board will approve a system of internal
accounting to ensure proper financial accounting of revenues and expenditures.
The adopted budget of the Farmington R-7 School District serves as the control to direct and limit
expenditures in the district. Overall responsibility for assuring control rests with the superintendent,
who will establish procedures for budget control and reporting throughout the district.
The total amounts that may be expended during the fiscal year for the operation of the school district
are set forth in the budget. The total budgeted expenditure for each program is the maximum amount
that may be expended for that classification of expenditures during the school year unless a budget
transfer is recommended by the superintendent and is approved by the Board.
The Board will review the financial condition of the district monthly and shall require the
superintendent to prepare a monthly reconciliation statement. This statement will show the amount
expended during the month, total (to date) for the fiscal year, receipts and remaining balances in each
fund. This statement will be used as a guide for projected purchasing and as a guide for budget
transfers.
During the fiscal year the superintendent may transfer any unencumbered balance or portion thereof
from the expenditure authorization of one (1) account to another, subject to limitations provided by
state laws and approval by the Board.
All moneys received by the school district shall be disbursed only for the purposes for which they
are levied, collected or received.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
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Adopted: 07/18/1995
Revised: 10/21/2003
Cross Refs: CGC, State and Federal Programs Administration
ECB, Building and Grounds Maintenance
Legal Refs: §§ 67.010 - .110, 165.016, .021, .051, .091, .131, RSMo.
Mo. Const., Art. VI, § 26
Mercantile Bank of Illinois v. School District of Osceola, 834 S.W. 2d 737 (Mo.
banc 1992)
Farmington R-7 School District, Farmington, Missouri
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