Education and School Budget Cuts in 2020
by David Mocton
Education and School Budget Cuts
This article was first published in 2015. Every year, school administrators tackle the subject of school budgets (and budget reductions), but no year in recent history has been as dramatic as 2020. The information below has been updated to reflect the reality of education and school budget cuts in the wake of COVID.
Many administrators find the creation and maintaining of school budgets a great challenge. In 2020, COVID dealt a wicked blow to the economy. One of many difficult outcomes has been a drastic increase of unexpected expenses for local government, and a severe reduction in the amount of taxes that would normally be collected. This double whammy has forced local governments to reduce costs. This resulted in school budget cuts in almost every community in America. How can school administrators, principals and school leaders adjust?
Similar to household finances, one must not only honestly evaluate needs but also have a clear idea of where money is being spent and how to cut back or increase expenditures where necessary.
Although budget requirements vary from district to district and even state to state, there are some broad categories which should be taken into account when creating school budgets.
Here are some of the main areas to consider:
- Maintenance costs, including materials and workers, to assure that the building is clean and safe (remember to include parking lot and grounds maintenance). Additionally, note plumbing and electrical repairs, painting, floor, ceiling and even school bell repairs. Take into account supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, pails, mops, copy machine paper, etc.
- Updated for 2020: Cleaning budgets will need to be increased. Whereas every school campus needed to maintain a high level of hygiene, in 2020 schools are required to increase the level of hygiene to almost hospital-like levels and supply soap, hand sanitizers, etc. for every person on campus - visitors, staff, teachers and students.
- Buses and drivers for student transportation.
- Electricity costs for heating, cooling, lighting, and other areas, such as for the computer lab.
- School nurse and security personnel salaries and supplies.
- Qualified teachers, instructional aides and classroom provisions.
- Curriculum and staff development training expenses.
- The outlay for cafeteria employees and a properly stocked kitchen which provides nutritious and affordable breakfasts and lunches.
- Updated for 2020: Cafeteria budgets will be expected to run with an increased level of hygiene - resulting in higher costs for cleaning. Additionally, there will be a stronger focus on using disposables or single use serving products. School cafeterias will need to adjust and serve individual meals, socially distance the diners (students and staff) and provide hand sanitizing products for before and after meals.
- An up-to-date and well organized library including knowledgeable staff.
- Well-trained counselors for handling testing preparation, college admission services, drug/alcohol abuse programs, and family needs.
- Salaries and supplies for an effective principal, assistant principals and administrative support team.
- Insurance, sick and vacation day payrolls and other benefits. Gardener salaries and supplies.
- School equipment costs and maintenance for the office and classrooms.
- Updated for 2020: New classroom desks, preschool classroom furniture, common area furniture that is antimicrobial should be purchased.
- Updated for 2020: New items, never been required before will need to be purchased such as dividers for offices and classrooms, sneeze guards, hand washing stations, social distancing signage, floor decals.
- School campus equipment such as sports equipment, playgrounds, common areas, equipment for extra curricular clubs and activities.
- Updated for 2020: Schools will need to equip for distance learning. This means that every classroom should be equipped with at least one computer and associated equipment to allow the class to be broadcast to students who are in quarantine or staying at home. This will ensure that even those students who want or need to stay away from school will not be left behind if the school does not close.
Anyone who has created an accurate and working school budget knows that it can be a daunting task. Hopefully, including the above areas will ease the process.
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