Annual Operating Budget
Preparing and adopting the annual operating budget is a complex and detailed process, involving multiple funding sources and numerous budget categories. The first stage of budget cycle begins in the early fall, with the final stage typically ending in May each school year.
Budget Process
YCSD takes a collaborative approach to developing the operating budget, involving school administrators, department administrators, community stakeholders, the chief financial officer, the superintendent and the School Board in the development process.
Every school and department submit budget requests, identifying the priority level of each request. The superintendent engages the community's input through public forums and the Let's Talk-AskYCSD! Platform, to ensure thoughtful planning and informed decision-making throughout the process.
Each request is evaluated to determine its alignment with the division's strategic plan priorities (Highly Effective Talent, Future Ready Graduates, Supportive Culture and Collective Commitment) and core values (Safety, Growth, Innovation, Integrity, and Engagement).
The superintendent, chief financial officer and members of the executive leadership team analyze data, including projected funding at the state and local level, to determine which priorities to include in the Superintendent's Proposed Operating Budget.
The School Board reviews the superintendent's proposal and accepts community feedback through a public forum and a public hearing. The School Board then adopts a proposed budget which is sent to the county York County Board of Supervisors for consideration and allocation of funding.
Once the county budget is approved by the Board of Supervisors, the School Board adopts the final annual spending plan.
Next Steps
| School Board Public Forum |
January 26, 2026 |
| School Board Public Hearing |
February 23, 2026 |
| School Board Adopts Proposed Budget |
March 23, 2026 |
| School Board Adopts Operating Budget |
May 18, 2026 |
