The Public School Finance course is designed to introduce prospective administrators to basic functions related to the planning, organization and implementation of district school budget. The course provides a broad overview of the essential elements of budgeting, financial management, resource allocation, national and state laws and trends and community/school involvement in the budgeting process as outlined by the P.S.E.L. and M.L.D.S. standards as well as the EAD Knowledge Base.
The major goals of this course are to inform the students about:
- School finance procedures
- Financial management and resource allocation
- Laws pertaining to finance, sources of funds and specific financial practices
- Analyze pertinent data to determine funding and establish priorities for expenditures.
End of course project: After working with your superintendent of Financial Director/Assistant Superintendent develop the Budget Message that could be included in your district's budget applying the knowledge and Missouri requirements that you have learned during this course. Attach the budget financial statements that you will be working from. In addition, create the budget workshop presentation to your Board of Education and Community. Include all important information on changes in significant revenue sources, significant changes to expenditures and your projected ending fund balances.
Per University Guidelines, log all your hours spent in the course, traveling to and from the courses, and the hours that you are working on the project.
In addition, set up specific meeting times with your district's financial mentor. This could be the superintendent or assistant superintendent level depending on the district. Learn from them how the district's budget is created. Work with the mentor to understand the upcoming year's budget. Utilize this information that you have learned, and you have been provided to help develop your Budget Message and presentation to the Board. You should track your hours and estimate your hours needed based on the University guidelines.
Registration and attendance to the 2027 Annual Spring Conference is required for the course. This registration and travel expenses are in addition to the course fees. The conference will be held at Margaritaville Resort at Lake Ozark, April 25-28, 2027.