One of the most important responsibilities of the business office is working in partnership with the board of school directors and district administration to develop an annual budget. The budget acts as the financial blueprint for the district to provide quality instruction and educational programs for all students in order to achieve academic excellence. At Elizabethtown, the school directors and administration have made fiscal responsibility and accountability its highest priority, while at the same time maintaining a budget process that is instructionally driven. Each year, the directors and the superintendent bear the responsibility of adopting a budget that will ensure quality education for all students and financial stability with available resources.
The district's fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The district begins developing the budget for the subsequent year typically in early September. This process entails teachers and administrators submitting expenditure estimates of what they will need for the following school year. These projections include costs for supplies, equipment, books, and other materials. In addition, the business office forecasts revenues, hiring needs, and district-wide expenses including fuel, electricity, water, sewer, debt payments, transportation, and insurances.
The Board's Finance Committee typically meets once a month throughout the year to discuss the budget. Committee meetings are open to the public.
