This post goes out to all those new and upcoming Career and Technical Educators out there. We sit in a unique seat. Our budget goes further then index cards, highlighters and textbooks. We have equipment needs, repair needs, plant needs, transportation needs and the list goes on and on. I am going to share the top three things regarding budgets and school funding in the realm of Career and Technical Education utilizing advice from two seasoned agriculture educators and the business manager here at Midd-West High School.1. Relationships
- Initiate and Invest. Relationships like the Secretary that oversees your accounts, business managers and administrative assistants play a huge role in the success of the financial aspects of the program. Initiating and investing into these individuals help get them on your side is will be powerful down the road. Give them flowers, FFA apparel... long story short, make them feel appreciated. I was also recommended to send students to them first, they enjoy the opportunity to help them learn through the process and see their successes. In that though, these relationships are delicate in the sense that your emergency does not constitute as their emergency. Ever. The district office is a business office, they run on business hours, not school hours. They're "slow" season is during the summer, take the time to work with them then!
2. Fundraising
- Identify multiple funding sources. Whether that is through program fundraisers sponsored by the FFA or through an alumni association, access to resources beyond simply school funding can help programs ensure a "safety net" for years when funding may be questionable. When solidifying these multiple funding sources, it is important to keep a creative mindset. Never say no to an opportunity that may result in an profit. These multiple sources help teachers plan for success. These efforts also allow for a unique opportunity to keep your program visible in your community. When those external groups see the value see the power of the program they will seek out ways to support. My cooperating teacher also gave some awesome advice, the school board approves each major financial decision of the program. This helps build rapport and maintain program support on an administrative level.
3. The Program Budget
- Much of this process is dependent on infrastructure at the local level, but there are many general terms and themes that arise across the board. There are potentially up to three sources of external funding that the school (with an agriculture program) can secure - Perkins (federal funding), Vocational Subsidies (state funding) and Fair Funds (state funds). These funds will come a year late and because of that, is why careful recording of program concentrators, students who take at least 2 agriculture classes a year, plan to continue taking agriculture coursework and have set an agriculture career objective, is so important. The program budget will be itemized into subcategories that can range from equipment repairs, propane for the greenhouse, NOCTI testing, etc. Purchase orders play a big role in billing process throughout the year, because of the line-item system in the budget. Again, another important reason that those relationships with the secretary is so important!
Simply put, plan ahead - budgets get completed a year in advanced. You won't really know what you'll need next year but with careful planning, good record keeping and efficient communication successful budgets can be possible!
Simply put, as always, relationships are easily the most important factor in this situation. Establishing and working to maintain relationships with the correct parties will help ensure effective and efficient use of program dollars.
Until the Next Teac{HERR} Tale, K. Janae
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