	THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
TO:		The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:		Theresa E. Savo
SUBJECT:		2007-2008 Budget Development Process
DATE:		June 15, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:		Goals 1-6
AUTHORIZATION(S):

Executive Summary

Issue for Discussion

The third step in the 2007-2008 budget and legislative development process calls for the Board to:

· Review the existing budget, legislative and State Aid initiatives to ensure they align with the Regents priorities, the Department’s strategic plan and the second half of the new 24-month calendar. (March 2006);

· Discuss the draft legislative initiatives and the conceptual goals of the Regents State Aid proposal (May 2006);

· Evaluate the 2007-2008 budget and legislative initiatives proposed by the program offices in the Regents Standing Committees (June 2006);

· Discuss the proposed 2007-2008 budget initiatives and the State Aid conceptual proposal with the full Board of Regents (July 2006);

· Act on the 2007-2008 Budget Proposal, the Regents Priority Legislative Proposal and the State Aid conceptual proposal (September 2006); and

· Approve the final 2007-2008 State Aid proposal (October 2006).

Reason(s) for Consideration

Board direction and input are sought at each step in the process of developing the Department’s annual budget and legislative proposals.

Proposed Handling

Discussion

Procedural History

The Department budget and legislative proposals are developed over several months and involve staff from all areas of the Department. The Department budget and legislative proposals are expected to:

· be linked to the Department’s strategic plan and the second half of the new 24-month calendar;

· achieve the outcomes established by the Regents Goals; and

· include all program areas in the development process.

Background Information

Each year the Board of Regents is invited to review the existing initiatives and suggest changes. The Commissioner and Deputies then meet to make adjustments to existing initiatives or to develop new initiatives for the upcoming year. Deputy Commissioners involve the respective Regents Standing Committees in the review and evaluation of the initiatives for the upcoming year. The draft budget and legislative proposals, reflecting any changes recommended by the Regents Standing Committees, are then reviewed with the Full Board in July and the Regents act on the final budget and legislative proposals in September.

Recommendation

Attached is a summary of the proposed 2007-2008 budget initiatives for your review which reflects a total requested increase of $166 million including an additional 89 positions. You will have an opportunity to discuss and provide input on the proposed initiatives at the respective Regents Standing Committees.

Objectives Of This Proposed Budget

· Educate Students for the Global Workforce. Enhance the capacity of the K-16 and continuing education systems to prepare students for the math, science and technology requirements of the global economy.

· Create and Build Access to Knowledge. Bring broad access to learning resources in every community.

· Strengthen the Teaching Workforce. Increase the capacity to recruit, retain and continually develop the skills of teachers, especially in shortage areas.

· Ensure Excellence and Opportunity for All Students In Higher Education. Provide resources to ensure that more students, especially those from middle and low income families and those with disabilities, succeed in college.

· Improve Accountability. Ensure that school districts use resources efficiently and effectively and that all students graduate with a diploma.

Timetable for Implementation

N/A

2007-2008 PROPOSED

REGENTS PRIORITY BUDGET INITIATIVES

(By Committee)

CULTURAL EDUCATION

New York Knowledge Initiative: Broad Access to Learning Resources for All

NOVEL $10 million

Sustain Library Aid and Library System Aid Increased Funding $3 million

Sustain Local Library Construction Funding $14 million

Museum Education Act $25 million*

EMSC-VESID

Employment and Independence for Individuals with Disabilities

Independent Living Centers $4 million

Making Money Matter: Strengthened Accountability to Ensure

Improved Student Achievement and Effective Use of School Resources

Academic Intervention Teams $13 million

Student Record System $3.7 million

Early Financial Warning System $.3 million

State Aid Management System $5 million

Fiscal Oversight/Technical Assistance Staff $1 million

School Improvement Staff $2.4 million

Audit Services Staff $2.6 million

Create Office of Educational and Academic Technology to Effectively Use

Technology to Improve Performance $.5 million

Committing to Higher Standards: Supporting the State’s Rigorous

Assessment System $14 million

HIGHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Ensure Excellence and Opportunity for All Students in Higher Education

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) $5.5 million

Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) $6.1 million

Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)/

Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) $2.5 million

Improving Graduation Rates for all Students $4 million

Postsecondary Education and Disabilities Initiative $15 million

High Standards for All Educational Institutions

Strengthen Graduate Education $4 million

Strengthen the Teaching Workforce Through Increased and Continued

Ability To Recruit, Retain and Develop the Skills of Teachers

Increased Teacher Retention and Effectiveness $26 million

Teacher Opportunity Corps $1.8 million

Professional Education Opportunity Programs $2 million

Strengthen OHE’s Ability to Carry Out Its Responsibilities and Programs $.36 million

* Preliminary estimate; amount may change.

The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents