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WHO WE ARE

�Non-profit, non-partisan
�Supported by school district contributions
�School finance analysis for local and state policy makers since 1995
�Governed by a board comprised of national and state experts on school finance

Our Mission: To compile, collect and distribute research-based, non-partisan information and data on topics related to school finance for state and local policymakers. CSFP also supports school districts by providing expertise, technical assistance and capacity building related to best practices in school finance.

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Agenda

Strategic Planning Process
Annual financial timelines for the state and districts (Tracie)
Action planning! (Glenn and Tracie)

September 2025

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Do you have a Strategic Plan?

If so, how does it align with your budget process?
If not, do you have a mission or vision statement?

How does it align with your budget process?

Are you familiar with your unified improvement plan (UIP)?
How do these objectives and goals tie to your budget?

September 2025

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Strategic Planning Process

What are the 5 basic components of a strategic plan?

Academic Achievement
Safe and secure learning environment for students and staff
Facilities
Community engagement and outreach
Creating programs and supports for to meet the needs of students

September 2025

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Who is involved in your strategic plan development?

Administration
Teachers
Students
Board Members
District Accountability Committees
PTO and PTA
Parents
Community at large

September 2025

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Strategic Plan Review

How often?
Who reviews?
How is it aligning to your budget?
What is your process for change?

September 2025

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Things to Think About

We are going to present you with a lot of different models and information.
Remember that developing this process is iterative and will take time—you don't need to adopt every practice right away.

What is your review process?

Annually this process will vary—just expect that. The process may be similar, but outcomes will be different.
As we proceed, think about what's happening in your district for next year.

September 2025

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GROUP REFLECTIONS AND QUESTIONS

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Action Planning

GFOA Smarter School Spending Framework

September 2025

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What do we mean by Strategic School Finance?

ERS: The Strategic CFO

September 2025

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Mindsets of the Strategic CFO

How can you become better at predicting revenue and expenditure trends?
How can you evaluate what your key investments require and make sure they are funded long-term?

September 2025

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Mindsets of the Strategic CFO

How are stakeholders and staff involved in key financial planning and decisions?
How can you improve input mechanisms and feedback loops?

September 2025

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Mindsets of the Strategic CFO

What are some easy ways to evaluate the effectiveness of investments?
How can you begin to stop doing things that aren't working?
Who determines what isn’t working?

September 2025

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Strategic Planning & School Finance

September 2025

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Strategic Planning & School Finance

The district's strategic plan (or strategic goals, or instructional priorities) should guide the financial plan—not the other way around
Don't get too hung up on having a perfect strategic plan

The plan has to be dynamic and responsive

If you don't have a strategic plan: Start by at least identifying 2-4 strategic goals (what) and associated action steps (how) so you know what has to happen to achieve the goal

September 2025

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Strategic Planning & School Finance

“Strategic plans are necessary to focus district and school efforts on meaningful priorities, achievable goals, and proven/promising initiatives that will benefit the school community. " - Hanover Research

"The district-level responsibilities positive correlated with student achievement include:

September 2025

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Strategic Planning & School Finance

Before you begin strategic planning, these foundational statements clarify the district's "foundational beliefs, purpose and aspirations:"

September 2025

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GROUP REFLECTIONS AND QUESTIONS

Workshop Tool

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State & District Financial Timeline

September 2025

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State & District Financial Timeline

September 2025

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District Team Workshop Tool:

Action Plan

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Phase 1: Plan and Prepare

Step	Typical Timing
Determine how to include instructional and other leaders in financial planning	Review annually, create in the summer / fall
Review Board policies and review / establish budget guiding principles	Review annually, create in the summer / fall
Review UIP(s) and performance frameworks to understand student learning	Review annually, typically in the summer / fall
Create a plan to engage stakeholders in the budgeting process	Review annually, create in the summer / fall
Review critical dates for the year, create or update budget timeline	Review annually, create in the summer / fall
Decide whether the district is going for a mill levy override or bond election	Summer

Chief Academic Officer, school leaders, HR?

Indicates a topic we've covered during the training / in the tool

Focus on root cause analysis

Consider BEST grant, long-term plan

Use CDE tools

September 2025

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Phase 2: Instructional Priorities

Step	Typical Timing
Review the district strategic plan / instructional priorities. Update in partnership with BOE and district leadership as needed based on student learning and district needs.	Review annually, create in the summer / fall
Review and update action steps required to meet each strategic goal	Review annually, create in the summer / fall
Evaluate choices and choose the action steps most likely to impact student learning in partnership with BOE and district leadership.	Review annually, create in the summer / fall

Indicates a topic we've covered during the training / in the tool

September 2025

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Phase 3: Pay for Priorities

Step	Typical Timing
Understand long-term revenue and cost drivers for your district	Fall
Develop enrollment scenarios	Fall
Understand staffing costs	Fall
Understand costs of action steps required to meet strategic goals and address instructional priorities	Fall

Indicates a topic we've covered during the training / in the tool

Use CDE tools

September 2025

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Phase 4: Implement Plan

Step	Typical Timing
Engage instructional and other district leaders in budget planning, agree on staffing models	Fall
Develop or update your long-term financial plan	Fall
Prepare for and complete negotiations with collective bargaining units	Winter / Spring
Implement budget stakeholder engagement plan	Winter / early Spring
Develop annual budget for following year, reflecting stakeholder input and priorities	Spring
Evaluate impact of annual budget on fund balance, if any	Spring
Present annual budget for approval by BOE	Approved by June 30

Chief Academic Officer, school leaders, HR?

Indicates a topic we've covered during the training / in the tool

Use CDE tools

September 2025

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Phase 5: Ensure Sustainability

Step	Typical Timing
Monitor revenue and expenditures	At least quarterly
Complete financial audit and review outcomes	Following fall
Monitor impact and effectiveness of investments in strategic goals, instructional priorities and action steps; sunset what's not working	Ongoing
Congratulate yourself and your team for implementing strategic school finance!	Ongoing

Indicates a topic we've covered during the training / in the tool

Use CDE tools

September 2025

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GROUP REFLECTIONS AND QUESTIONS

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Iterative Process

How do you review?
Who is involved in the review?
How do you quit doing something?
What is your process for adding something new?
What happens when your budget changes because of declining enrollment or other state policy changes that impact the direction you were planning on implementing?

September 2025

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DISCUSSION

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THANKS!

Any questions?

Tracie Rainey�t.rainey@cosfp.org�303-860-9136

Glenn Gustafson�gustafson_g@cde.state.co.us

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