Dakisha Perry, Cohort V

Dr. Eddie Price

Budget
Fall 2016

Reflection/Discussion Assignments

1. My thoughts on the role of a Book Keeper

Keep accurate financial records
Purchase orders
PO inventory
Day to day managerial and clerical tasks
Assist the principal
Friendly customer service
Bank deposits; reconciliations
Perform tasks of an administrative assistant (when there is not one in title)
Payroll
Classified Staff Timesheets
Bus Timesheets
Serve as resource in the school building
Keep documentation and communicate clearly
Meet deadlines

2. Book Keeper Responsibilities according to Ms. Lee

In addition to the above, responsibilities of a bookkeeper are as follows:

Follow the processes that are in place. Because its in board policy, does
not mean that you cant make things work for your school.
It is the responsibility of the bookkeeper to keep proper documentation.
Theres nothing that cant be fixed by a journal entry.
It is important that the bookkeeper immediately follow up conversations
with an email to let supervisor know what they are planning to do. In
other words, be able to justify purchases.
The bookkeeper does not need to have quotes for items purchased
through state contract businesses, but need to be mindful. Just because
its a state contract, doesnt mean their products are cheaper. The
principal needs to have procedures in place and ensure that theyre
followed.
The bookkeeper should not spend any money without the principals
signature. Even if the principal is out and the AP has to sign, the principal
should not be surprised at the end of the month with the finance report.
3. Leandro Case
In 1994, a lawsuit was filed against the State of North Carolina by parents, children
and school districts in five low-wealth rural counties (Hoke, Halifax, Robeson, Vance
and Cumberland). Judge Manning ruled that every child in the state has a
constitutional right to a sound basic education that quality of education not
equal opportunity or funding -- should determine whether that right has been
violated. The concern basically was how funds were distributed to meet the
educational needs of the disadvantaged students in those districts.

In October 2000, Judge Manning ruled the following:

1. The state's curriculum, testing program and overall system of funding meet
the Leandro standards for constitutionality.
2. State's system of certifying and licensing teachers is constitutionally sufficient.
3. Students not performing at grade level on the state's ABC tests are not meeting
the Leandro standard for receiving a sound basic education.
4. System of funding schools was sound, but the question of whether there are
sufficient resources available is a different matter.

The requirement does not come with money attached and Senate leadership points
out that schools with a lot of resources are on the failing list as well as schools with
few resources. It is believed that school districts have the money they need to provide
quality education, but they are mismanaging funds. The case looked closely at
curriculum, test scores and teacher certification. As a result of this case, it changed
the way the state started to allocate funds to school districts. The state decided to fund
schools but also proposed that school districts do their part in helping to fund their
own schools.