A public high school is entrusted with millions of dollars of public investment to support the education of its students. In most states, a large portion of the budget comes from the state government through per-pupil allocations, which are based on student enrollment and vary by state and locality. Each state has its own formula for determining the baseline funding amount for students, and local districts can supplement that base amount.

Additional public funds are available, too, from federal, state, and local sources. On average, less than 10% of a school’s funding comes from federal sources, but those dollars may be particularly important: federal funding supports special education, school meals, and—through the federal Title I program—additional supports for highest needs schools. States and localities may have similar programs that supplement funding over and above the state minimum per pupil amount.

Each funding stream comes with stringent guidelines and constraints, but most allow for more flexibility than many people realize. Waivers from certain restrictions may also be available if a school has a strong rationale.

Financial oversight varies, depending on how a school is organized and governed:

• If a school is part of a district, its finances are overseen by the local school board and district staff.
• If a school is part of a charter management organization (CMO), its finances are overseen by the CMO management and board.
• If a school is an independent charter, its finances are overseen by the school’s board of directors.

Once a school has established a financial plan, it will need to manage its finances carefully—a responsibility that requires precision, capacity, and a commitment to accountability. Every school needs someone, usually the principal or assistant principal, who knows the budget inside out and can handle routine transactions that are part of running any school. (Some schools hire a CFO or other staff member to manage finances.) That person also needs to be familiar with public school finance regulations, reporting calendars, and auditing processes for their state and locality. These are available from each state’s department of education.

And it’s also important for others in the school—the leadership team, teachers, families, and even students—to have a working understanding of the overall budget so they can help set priorities and ask good questions about where money is allocated.