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:		August 23, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:		Goals 1-6
AUTHORIZATION(S):

Executive Summary

Issue for Discussion

 

The fifth 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 and legislative 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 (submitted as separate Regents items) (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’s budget and legislative proposals are developed over several months and involve staff from all areas of the Department. The Department’s 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

 

I recommend that the Board of Regents approve the 2007-2008 State Education Department Budget Proposal as presented.

 

Objectives of This Proposed Budget

 

·         Educate Students for the Global Economic and Cultural Realities. 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

 

 

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