Abstract
The Problem. This study attempted to determine if there were differences in job satisfaction between secondary principals with high participation in the budgeting process and those principals with low budget participation. This study analyzed ten subscales of job satisfaction that may be affected by budget participation. The subscales were: responsibility, achievement, advancement, recognition, personal growth, interpersonal relations, policy and administration, salary, supervision, and the work itself. Also studied was the impact on job satisfaction of the independent variables: school district size, length of service as a principal, and categorical program involvement. Research Methodology. This study employed a descriptive, ex-post facto design, utilizing information gathered during 1982-83. A questionnaire was mailed to the 203 secondary principals in Kern, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties of Southern California, who made up the cluster sample. The following statistical procedures were used to analyze the data: Chi-square, t-tests, ANOVA, and Scheffe Paired Comparison tests. Findings. The results indicated that categorical fund involvement, years served as a principal, school district size, and desired involvement in budgeting made no significant difference in job satisfaction. It was found, however, that high budget participation made a significant difference in the job satisfaction of secondary principals; that those principals with high budget participation had higher job satisfaction than those principals without high budget participation. There was also a significant difference between the actual and the desired roles of principals in budgeting, with most principals desiring more participation than they get. Conclusions. It was concluded that since greater participation in the budgeting process by principals resulted in higher principal job satisfaction and secondary school principals desire more budget participation than they are allowed, principals should be given a more prominent role in the budgeting process for the sake of both the school and the individual. The results of this study warrant further study in this area.