Budget and budget school participation council.

The school participation council talks about many important matters at school. For example, about class schedules, school rules, or help from parents. Finances are also included. What role does the school participation council have in the school budget? Does the council have its own budget? And which financial documents are needed to perform the task well?

Role of the school participation council in the school budget

The school participation council has an important role in financial matters at school. Not by deciding, because the council does not have agreement rights on the annual budget. But it can give advice about the multi-year financial policy, which are the plans of the school governing body for the coming years.

These plans are worked out in the multi-year budget. Often, the governing body submits this to the school participation council for advice. It is important that it is clear what choices are made and what each budget item means.

The annual budget is a more concrete document: it states how much money is available and what it will be spent on. The school participation council receives this budget each year for information. You do not have to agree with it, but you can ask questions. For example, if the policy is not clear in the figures or if choices are made that you do not understand.

Does the school participation council have its own budget?

The government decides each year how much money a school gets. The school participation council receives an overview of this by 1 July at the latest. This lets you see how the school budget is made up. The amount depends on the number of students, the type of education, and extra arrangements.

The school participation council at a primary or secondary school usually does not get its own fixed budget. The school governing body must make sure the council can do its work well. Think of costs for training, meeting rooms, or information. Sometimes there is also a payment for school participation council members.

Agreeing with new or changed rules

The rules for the school participation council budget at school are in the participation regulations. Every school participation council and central participation council has its own regulation. It states how participation works at that school. The school participation council and the school governing body set this together.

For new or changed rules, the school participation council must agree with a two-thirds majority. The council can also make own proposals to change the regulations.

Include a moment in the school participation council work plan to discuss the regulations. They apply to everyone involved in participation. You do not have to change them every year, but checking every two years is wise.

Financial documents for the school participation council

The school participation council automatically receives some documents from the governing body each year. They do not have to ask because it is by law.

The most important documents are:

• The budget: the distribution of money for the coming year.
• The annual report: a review of the past year with explanations about certain financial choices.
• The calculation of education funding: how much money the school gets and why.

Most documents are only for information for the school participation council. Only for the multi-year financial policy does the council give advice.

Budget and annual report for the school participation council

The school participation council receives the school budget each year. It shows how much money there is and what it is spent on. The budget is based on the long-term policy of the school. Besides the numbers, the budget also explains: what does each item mean, what changed from last year, and why certain choices were made?

The school participation council does not have to agree to the budget. But the council does check: does it fit the earlier agreements? If you see something unusual or unexpected, ask for explanation.

The annual report is also important. There you read what the school did last year and what it cost. You see if the money was really spent as planned. The school participation council receives this report by 1 July at the latest.

Helpful tip: compare the annual report with last year’s budget and look ahead to the new budget. This helps you see what changed and ask better questions as school participation council.

Questions or personal advice?

Do you have questions about this topic, would you like advice regarding your situation, or just a listening ear? Then please contact us via 088-6050101, email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or WhatsApp ons.