What is the first step for developing a school budget?

Creating a fiscal calendar is a crucial step in developing a school budget as it establishes the timeline and key milestones for the budgeting process. A fiscal calendar outlines important dates related to budget preparation, approval, and implementation, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned on the timeline and have adequate time to contribute to the budget process.

This step is foundational because it sets the stage for subsequent activities such as analyzing past budget reports, consulting with parents and stakeholders, and estimating student enrollment. Without a structured timeline, these other activities may lack focus and organization, making the overall budgeting process less effective. The fiscal calendar serves as a roadmap that guides the school through all budget-related decisions and actions in a systematic manner.