OPSB Budget Process

BUDGET ADOPTION AND AMENDMENTS
Annually, the Superintendent submits to the School Board a proposed annual budget of expected revenues and expenditures for the General Fund and Special Revenue Funds. Legally adopted budgets are only required for the General Fund and the Special Revenue Funds. After a public hearing is held the proposed budgets are published. The budget is adopted by the School Board and submitted no later than September 30 to the State Department of Education for approval. The adopted budget must be balanced with approved expenditures not exceeding the total estimated funds available.

The Superintendent is authorized to move budgeted items within departments or programs in the approved General Fund Budget, but may not increase the total amount authorized. If during the course of the fiscal year, projections of annual revenues or expenditures vary by 3% or more from the adapted budget figures, the Superintendent must inform the Board of the shortfall. Based on the information submitted, the School Board will adopt an amended budget according to the procedures set forth by the State Legislature in R.S. 39:1309 and 1310, and send a copy of the revision to the Louisiana Superintendent of Education. Other budget revisions are submitted to the School Board for approval on a quarterly basis.

Expenditures for Special Revenue Fund Budgets, except for the federally funded Child Nutrition Program, may not exceed budget amounts by more than 5% unless a budget revision is approved by the State Department of Education. For the Child Nutrition Program, budget amendments follow requirements of the General Fund.

Capital Projects Funds are allocated by project using architectural and engineering estimates. All projects remain programmed and are completed as funds become available or until the School Board decides to eliminate the project.

BUDGET CONTROL
Department directors and school principals have responsibility for controlling and amending their budget as necessary, and ensuring that no expenditure is made unless funds have been authorized. Funds are authorized when they have been approved by the Board of Education and submitted through the OPSB Budget Office.

Special Revenue projects must have approval of the Board, as well as the external funding agency and division head of the District. The administration is authorized to expend up to ten percent (10%) of the individual Special Revenue program budget, prior to receipt of written of the grant award, if Board approval has been given.