Budgeting for Mean, Lean Times Part 4
Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 09:00PM 4. I can describe the “consequences” of an under-funded budget in concrete terms.
What won’t happen may be as important as what will happen
While it would great if national studies and research about the importance of school libraries and technology were universally read and believed, we need to make the case ourselves that inadequate or reduced library funding will have an impact on school programs, the classroom curriculum, and student achievement.
Specificity and goal orientation
This is easier to do if your budget proposals are specific and goal driven. In visiting with the person or team that makes budget decisions, you can say things like:
- I won’t be able to purchase the 25 books that support the revised 9th grade history class the teachers requested.
- Teachers will only get one ink cartridge for their printers this year instead of 3 as in past years.
- Only four students will be able to use the research terminals in the library at a time.
- With the reduced clerical staffing, I won’t be able to maintain the school webpage.
- Students will not be able to participate in the state’s children’s book award program.
You will need to use your very best interpersonal skills to make sure these predicted outcomes don’t simply sound like threats. Give budget decision-makers the entire budget and be open to their ideas about how to economize.
Reader Comments (4)
Corollary #1: Whoever said money cannot buy happiness is shopping in the wrong places.
Corollary #2: Money may, in fact, not be able to buy happiness BUT it can make misery much easier to endure.
Somebody also said, "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better."
You know one of the things I think about is winning the lottery. I worry that I would become totally aimless and bored. I have heard, however, that one actually needs to buy a ticket before one can win such things.
Happy holidays!
Doug
Can you think of a way to make your point without using a woman's body to get attention? The objectification of women is less and less appreciated. You make some thoughtful points about budgets otherwise.
Image removed, P.