SCHOOL FINANCE BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN AND JUSTIFICATION Essay

SCHOOL FINANCE BUDGET REDUCTION PLAN AND JUSTIFICATION - Essay Example It is the duty of the principal to go back to their respective campuses and then collaborate with their school leadership teams in order to develop a comprehensive plan regarding how to accomplish such budgetary reductions from their existing operating budget. The objective of the study is to plan the budget cut from given information and justify the items chosen to remove or reduce from the school budget in order to meet the district requirements. Budget Reduction Plan The most challenging task of budget cut is to determine the primary sources of revenues and expenditure and then to allocate scarce resources according to requirements. It is general that in a high school, the majority of school budget is allocated towards the benefits and compensations of their staff. In such a scenario it is very important to keep in mind that any significant reduction in the compensation of core teachers and most important staff might lead to de-motivation of staffs and unrest in the campuses. In order to avoid such disputes, the rest of the budget allocations have to be re-planned and prioritized in such a manner so as to help the districts meet goals and standards of the students’ academic performance (Williamson, 2011, pp.1-5). The annual budget is a statement of expenditures and revenues that are likely in a high school during the fiscal. It has to be determined at a prior stage whether the school would have enough funds to pay for the necessary activities by ensuring optimum resource allocation matching school priorities. The budget has to be realistic in the sense that all items of reduction have to be justified to respective departments when cuts will be introduced. All minute details must be highlighted such as any probable error in estimating teaching staff requirements in case any staff leaves the school. Also, it must be ensured that all regulatory and statutory requirements have been complied with. A realistic school budget will ensure financial stability by lowering financial crisis risk during the year; educational excellence by hiring the best teachers available at attractive packages; and reputation and image of school reflected from the relationship between the authority, pupils, and staffs. T he first stage of budget reduction plan is to identify the primary sources of revenues and expenditures (Hechinger Institute, 2011, pp.1-9). Identification of Primary Sources of Revenues The expenditures of a high school are generally divided into three categories namely, salaries and employee benefits, materials and supplies and capital expenditures. In addition, the states also collect expenditure data of school by transportation, operations, debt service and maintenance. It is important to note that the schools hire instructional staffs, custodians, and cafeteria workers in addition to licensed staff members such as administration and teaching staffs, librarian, counselors, etc. Thus, the biggest expenditures in a school are consumed by the personnel. During the 1950s, the teachers’ constituted almost 74% of total school staff and the numbers have been reducing since then as the percentage of instructional staff has been increasing. In the 20th century the percentage of te achers dropped by almost 33% and they have been replaced by instructional aides. The teachers’ salaries are compensated by most districts under single salary schedule where teachers are compensated on the basis of their educational level and total years of experience in teaching profession (Serwach

Animal testing Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Animal testing - Research Paper Example The same applies to cosmetics since researchers investigate for the suitability of such products in animals. Animal testing therefore is a vital practice in education, defense and breading researchers with most governments formulating appropriate legislations to guide the use of animals in studies as the discussion below portrays. Government regulation is essential in safeguarding the rights of both the animals and the humans who engage in the practice. Proponents of animals testing argue on the positive attributes of the practice key among which is the fact that animal testing enhances the growth of knowledge thereby bettering such vital sciences as medicine and social arts among many others. â€Å"they feel that the scientific advances that have emerged from animal testing-such as polio vaccine and measles, cancer chemotherapy and open heart surgery- far outweigh any pain, suffering or death the animals may experience† (Hayhurst 72). Opponents of the practice on the other hand argue in favor of the animals. They claim that using animals is both unethical and breaches the rights of the animals. The studies disrupt the natural existence of the animals in their respective habitats. Furthermore, the testing includes inserting harmful substances in the bodies of the animals possibly endangering or killing such animals. Such individuals oppose the practice based on the ethical implications and the rights of the animals. Despite the above arguments, both parties contend that animal testing is important and advantageous in medical practice among others. Toxicology testing is one such important tests conducted on animals. Just as the name suggests, it refers to the testing of the toxic levels in such finished products as pesticides thereby establishing the suitability of such products. The tests investigate for the effectiveness of such pesticides and their effects on other animals including humans. The tests include testing both the