New Zealand Experience
As Senior Manager of Early Childhood and Schools Resourcing, responsible for New Zealand school finances (over $2 billion) and the subsidised funding of the early childhood sector, Eric successfully managed:- the implementation of the formula-based direct funding of all school non-teaching costs;
- a centralised payroll payment system for all school staff through electronic funds transfer directly into staff personal accounts; and
- an attendance-based subsidy payment system to early childhood institutions.
Of particular note were:
- the development and implementation of a formula-based block grant teacher salary national pilot involving about 30% of all schools;
- a formula-based socio-economic driven equalisation supplementary funding system for all schools and the introduction of an on-site audit and (financial) accountability process to assure the integrity of the formula-based funding approach; and
- the development and implementation of a highly successful school insurance scheme.
The key driver for the funding formulae was the number of pupils enrolled at a school with formula based enhancements related to the circumstances of the pupil (special needs etc) and the situation of the school (size, type, rural/urban etc).