Promoting School Business Managers

1. Promoting School Business Managers Brad Shortridge John Benedetti David Hill

2. What is the role of a School Business Manager • A school business manager is a member of the administrative staff who helps to ensure the smooth operation of the school system. • By working collaboratively within the school system, school business managers make a direct contribution to the effectiveness of the schools and the academic success of the students.

3. Areas of Responsibility • Areas of responsibility include (but are not limited to): • Strategic and operational management of finances • Human resources • Facilities • Pupil Services (Transportation, Food service) • Staff development • Risk Management • Other duties as assigned

4. Finances • Budgeting • Provide financial advice • Accounting • Generating and monitoring revenue • Administrating payroll services • Obtaining, monitoring and costing insurance (commercial, medical/dental) • Developing financial policy

5. Human Resources • Managing the medical/dental plan • Administering the SR125, HRA, Flex spending, and 403(b) plans • Health and safety monitoring • Staff development • Providing financial input into all collective bargaining contracts • Handling evaluations and employee discipline • Worker’s compensation Insurance

6. Facilities • Ensuring efficient use of utilities • Managing the cleanliness, safety, security and repair of the buildings • Ensuring that the grounds are maintained properly

7. Pupil Services • Food service program • Vendors • Meals • Cash controls • Transportation • Routes • Equipment • Personnel • Discipline

8. Risk Management • Commercial Liability Insurance • Vendors/Renewals • Policy Limits/appraisal • Training staff • Worker’s Compensation • Vendors/Renewals • Limits • Training staff/procedures • Managing – employee accidents

9. Importance of the role of School Business Manager • The school business official, in most districts, wears many hats and a good SBM can provide the following benefits: • Allow leadership personnel to focus on teaching and learning • Maximize the efficiency of all financial operations, facilities, and other resources • Provides the leadership team with a different perspective • Play a vital role in the academic success of students

10. How do you promote yourself? • As a school business manager you have four different subgroups that you must promote yourself to: • Board of Education • District (administration, teachers, support staff) • Parents • Community Members • How do you promote yourself to these different groups?

11. Promoting yourself to the Board of Education • As the School Business Manager, you are the financial expert in the District. • Tools to use for promoting yourself include: • Audits (MD&A, financials) • Budgets/Levies (Finance Committee participation) • Monthly Treasurer Reports • Bill Listing explanation memos • Cost savings measures • Keep list of accomplishments/achievements (e.g. cost saving measures, etc…) • Transparency is the key!

27. Promoting yourself to the Administration and Staff • As the School Business Manager, you are the financial expert in the District. • Tools to use for promoting yourself include: • Monthly reports that illustrate budgeted vs. actual expenditures (discuss line items that are over expended) • Show how what you do benefits students- (e.g. funding for textbook adoption, materials, etc…) • Communicate the financial status of the District to provide understanding • Listen to questions/comments and provide rationale for decisions • Transparency is the Key!

28. Promoting yourself to Parents and the Community • As the School Business Manager, you are the financial expert in the District. • Tools to use for promoting yourself include: • Articles in the local papers • Documents in the district website • Finance 101 Course • Communicate the financial status of the District • Document cost savings measures • Listen to questions/comments and provide rationale for decisions • Transparency is the Key!

29. Promoting yourself for the next step in your career • If the time comes that you either want another challenge or you need a change it is important that you have positioned yourself for that next opportunity. • Tools to use for promoting yourself include: • Active involvement in the IASBO organization • Present at conferences • Foster collegial relationships with SBM’s, Superintendents, vendors • Network • These items will allow you to make a positive name for yourself so when that opportunity presents itself you will be ready!

30. Audience Involvement • What are some things that you have done to promote yourself? • What are some things that you have seen in the past that you would like to incorporate? • Questions