To get the most effective use out of available funds, it is important to think creatively about school budgets.

Many schools have unspent funds that carry over to the next budget. However, there are often restrictions in place so that funds can only be carried over into certain accounts or the total amounts that can be carried over have limitations placed on them. Budget managers need to be aware of the restrictions and limits. Many schools strategically plan ahead, making budget decisions in order to accrue a projected surplus over a number of years enabling them to make a large scale purchase, such as a computer lab. This is becoming more widely known as financial planning, rather than simply budget management. Reflect upon the difference between budget and financial planning as you read the following analogy suggested by Pereus. Excerpt from the ASAP Leadership Module: Effectively Managing the Learning Environment Accelerated School Administrator Program. ASAP: Accelerated School Administrator Program. 25 Apr. 2003.