3030 Budget Implementation, Monitoring, and Transfers

Policies

Middletown Public Schools                                                       No. 3030

Middletown School Committee Budget Implementation, Monitoring and Transfers

BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING, AND TRANSFERS

I. INTRODUCTION

The Committee recognizes its statutory duty to make appropriate changes to the  school budget during the course of the school year and to approve expenditures  consistent with state law and as applicable, the Middletown Town Charter.

Additionally, the Committee recognizes legislated duties and responsibilities of  the Superintendent of Schools to be directly responsible for the administration of the  annual operating budget of Middletown Public Schools and to provide appropriate  financial information to the School Committee.

II. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Middletown School Committee seeks to achieve the following goals and  objectives with regard to budget implementation, monitoring and budget transfers:

• The School Committee will receive monthly updates of district expenditures.

• All other school department personnel will be directly responsible to the  Superintendent in all procedural matters related to finance.

• All actions of the Superintendent or any other district employee in executing the  programs and activities set forth in an annual operating budget of Middletown  Public Schools shall be subject to the monthly review of the School Committee.

• Throughout the school year, the School Department will monitor all line items  within the budget and report to the School Committee monthly on the status of the  budget and year-end projections.

• During the monitoring and projection process, it may be necessary to adjust  accounts within the budget.

• With the written approval of the Superintendent of Schools and Business  Manager, funds not to exceed $10,000, or 10% of the line item, (whichever  is greater) in transfers between School Committee meetings, may be moved  between line items to facilitate the balancing of the budget.

• In no case shall such transfer result in any change to the bottom line of the  budget. The School Committee will be notified of the transfers at each  regular or special meeting.

• Line item adjustments in excess of $10,000, or 10% of the line item,  (whichever is greater) must be brought before the School Committee for  approval.

• All line item changes reflecting a substantial change in School Committee  financial and/or educational objectives must be brought before the School  Committee for approval. (with the exception of cases for special education,  emergency repair, or purchase.)

• All budget actions by the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee  must be consistent with Rhode Island General Law and all other policies of the  School Committee.

• All expenditures of district funds must meet the legal requirements of the Rhode  Island Department of Education and Rhode Island General Law.

• All purchases must be made in accordance with the requirements of adopted  School Committee policy.

References

State Statutes and Regulations:

16-2-9 General powers and duties of school committees.

16-2-11 General powers and duties of superintendent.

16-2-21 Pre-budget consultation – Annual reports –

Appropriation requests – Budgets

16-2-21.2 Three-year budget forecasting process.

16-2-21-3 Meetings with city and town councils.

16-2-21.4 School budgets – Compliance with certain requirements.  Town Charter and Code Provisions:

Sec. 304. Enumeration of power and duties.

Sec. 812. Budget; school committee to incur no obligation beyond the amount provided by budget.

33.10 Transfer of appropriations.

33.16 School Department Funds.

Amended from July 28, 2009 Approved Policy

1st Reading – October 15, 2015

2nd Reading and Approval – November 19, 2015

Review - September 18, 2025

3 Year Review Due - September 2028