The way your district uses money = quality
of your professional life.
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Some politicians argue that money doesn’t
matter
What do you think??
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What is the difference between
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Administrative unit within a state is defined
by geographical boundaries & is legally
responsible for the public education of
children within those boundaries
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Hire/Fire teachers
Determine curriculum
Instruction
Differ dramatically- number & size
Large or Small – both have disadvantages
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What is the difference between a school and a
school district?
Correction: Test – Thursday, not
Friday
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Group of elected citizens responsible for setting
policies that determine how a school district
operates
District budget
◦ Raising money through taxes
 Buses/lunch programs/new schools/salary increases/health
care
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Personnel
Curriculum
◦ Defining & implementing
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Dress code, extra curricular activities, out of
state trips
Infrastructure
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Elected members – by voters
◦ 3 – 4 year terms
◦ Voter turn out - low
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Some may be appointed
Typical – male, white, older & wealthy –
though now more diversity (45% women)
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District’s head administrative officer
Along with staff implements policy
Leads the board & help set agendas
Hired by school boards
Women/minorities – underrepresented
Superintendent vs. School Board – School
board wins
Political & public opinions
Pay – good
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Person given the ultimate administrative
responsibility for a school’s operation
Greatest impact on your life as a teacher
Hires/fires teachers
Major role – establishing academic & work
climate
Demographic profile – similar to school board
◦ Classroom experience/master’s degree – most
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Wide range responsibilities
◦ Teachers selection & evaluation
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Experienced teachers – principals = instructional
leaders
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Salary
Professional Development Opportunities
Resources
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State
Contributes the largest source of funding
Nearly ½
Income & sales tax
Lottery – the more we get from here, the less we
get from other sources
◦ Different states = different funding
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Local
◦ Responsibility – local school board
◦ Property taxes
◦ California, 1978, Proposition 13- limited property
taxes in the state
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Federal
◦ Smallest, most controversial source
◦ Impact – considerable
◦ Where the funds must be spent