School districts have a unique opportunity to save money as they transition to electric buses and charging infrastructure. Through the federal 45W Clean Vehicle Credit and 30C Refueling Property Credit, districts can access up to $40,000 per bus and $100,000 per charger—but these tax credits are set to expire soon. In this episode of School Business Insider, John Brucato speaks with Katherine Roboff (World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative) and Carolina Chacon Mendoza (Allianc...
Sep 02, 2025•47 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with members of ASBO International’s Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) — Brandy Smith (Montoursville Area School District, PA), Erik Roush (Columbus City Schools, OH), Chris Smith (Katy ISD, TX), and Brian Cechnicki (ASBO New York). Together, they reflect on the 2025 Legislative Advocacy Conference and share why advocacy at the federal level is essential for protecting school funding and supporting students. From Hill Day...
Aug 26, 2025•43 min
Aziz Aghayev, CEO of Flowlyst, returns to School Business Insider to go deeper on AI strategies for school business officials. In this episode, we unpack prompt engineering best practices, custom GPT creation, and Aziz’s six-phase model for AI adoption. You’ll learn how to turn your thoughts into powerful, structured prompts and create your own GPTs to automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks—like policy research, board minutes, and transportation questions. Whether you're using AI to refine co...
Aug 19, 2025•45 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, we head to the Lone Star State for an honest and engaging conversation with Dr. Tracy Ginsburg, Executive Director of TASBO, and Heather Wilson, TASBO Board President and Assistant Superintendent of College Station ISD. Heather shares her experience transitioning to a new district after nearly two decades in her previous role—discussing what it takes to build culture, relationships, and trust from day one. Tracy reflects on TASBO’s role in supporting s...
Aug 12, 2025•43 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Howie Barber, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations at Old Rochester Regional and MA Supervisory Union #55 in Massachusetts, to walk through the essential steps school business officials should take before students return to class. From finalizing capital projects and updating safety plans to managing last-minute staffing and food service readiness, Howie shares his detailed approach to a successful school...
Aug 05, 2025•51 min
In this special episode of School Business Insider, we’re sharing a recorded webinar presented by ASBO New York and ASBO International’s affiliate staff planning group. Host Amanda Wing leads a candid conversation with John Brucato—Assistant Superintendent, podcast host, and ASBO New York President-elect, about how to start a podcast from scratch, even when you're busy and budget-conscious. You’ll learn: How to pick your podcast format and frequency Essential recording gear (on a budget) How to ...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, John Brucato sits down with Dr. Ron Clamser, Assistant Superintendent for Business at PNW BOCES and current President of ASBO New York. They explore Ron’s 18-year journey in volunteer leadership, from his early advocacy work to helping revamp ASBO NY’s strategic direction. Ron shares his “reflect” theme for the year, the importance of balancing service with a demanding career, and how the organization is refocusing on member engagement. Whether you’re ...
Jul 22, 2025•37 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Sonja H. Trainor, Executive Director of the National School Attorneys Association, for a timely conversation about the U.S. Supreme Court’s major rulings and what they mean for school leaders. From religious objections to curriculum (Mahmoud v. Taylor) to transgender rights and medical procedures (U.S. v. Skrmetti), and from charter school governance (Drummond v. OK) to E-Rate funding’s uncertain future, this episode cove...
Jul 15, 2025•49 min
Join host John Brucato and Maria Parry, retired SBA from Monmouth Regional High School (NJ), as they explore essential advice for those new to the school business field and those aiming to safeguard their district from disaster. Drawing from her School Business Now articles on career setup and disaster planning, Maria provides actionable insights—from résumé-risk mitigation to vendor planning—that every SBO needs. Perfect for both emerging and seasoned professionals looking to strengthen their f...
Jul 08, 2025•35 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Chris Wildman, Assistant Superintendent for Finance at Grayslake CCSD 46 in Illinois. Chris shares how his district launched a robust sustainability program—including composting, solar, paper use reduction, and strategic planning—all while delivering financial savings and engaging stakeholders. Drawn from Chris’s June 2025 School Business Now article , this episode offers a roadmap for SBOs to start or scale sustainable pr...
Jul 01, 2025•39 min
In this solo episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato reflects on a remarkable transformation in his district—from the failure of a $36 million bond in 2018 to the successful completion of a $27 million capital project in 2024. With no tax increase and overwhelming community support, this journey was built on trust, transparency, and thoughtful planning. John shares actionable lessons in stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and financial stewardship that helped restore c...
Jun 24, 2025•44 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Mary Ellen Normen, a retired school business official blazing new trails in the world of artificial intelligence. With presentations at ASBO and AASA conferences and a widely-read article on AI in school business, Mary Ellen unpacks how SBOs can use AI tools for budgeting, facilities, communications, and strategic planning. From ethical guardrails to getting started with your first AI prompt, this episode is a practical...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages in a heartfelt conversation with Peter Bard, CFO of East Stroudsburg Area School District. Peter shares his personal experiences with mental health challenges, the impact on his professional life, and his journey towards healing and advocacy. This discussion sheds light on the importance of mental well-being in the high-stakes world of school business leadership and offers insights into creating supportive environments for pro...
Jun 10, 2025•47 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Brandy N. Smith, PCSBA, and Baillie M. Nash, SFO, recent recipients of the ASBO International Emerging Leaders Scholarship. They discuss their career journeys, the impact of the scholarship on their professional development, and the importance of networking in the field of school business. This conversation offers valuable insights for aspiring school business officials and those looking to support emerging leaders in thei...
May 29, 2025•34 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages in a compelling conversation with Cheryl Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at Thomas Tallis School in London and a leading advocate for mentorship in the school business profession. Cheryl shares her personal journey, insights on establishing effective mentoring relationships, and the pivotal role mentorship plays in professional development and fostering diversity in leadership. Discover practical strategies for initiating an...
May 27, 2025•35 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Jeff LaPorta, Executive Director of Maryland ASBO, and Libby Hillard, School Business Administrator and incoming Vice President of MD ASBO, to explore the intricacies of the 71st Annual Spring Conference. They discuss the inspiration behind this year's theme, "Discover a Sea of Knowledge," the meticulous planning that goes into organizing the event, and MD ASBO's steadfast commitment to professional development. Gain in...
May 20, 2025•30 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages with legal expert Dr. Charles J. Russo to dissect a landmark Supreme Court case that could redefine the intersection of public education funding and religious institutions. The case centers on Oklahoma's attempt to establish St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School, raising pivotal questions about the constitutionality of state-funded religious charter schools. Dr. Russo provides a comprehensive analysis of the l...
May 13, 2025•45 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Elleka Yost, ASBO’s Director of Advocacy & Research, along with Trisha Schock and Jeff Hollamon, Chair and Vice Chair of the Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC), to explore what ASBO International is doing to protect and promote education funding at the federal level. They discuss the 2025–2026 U.S. policy priorities, key legislative issues impacting school districts—from IDEA and Title I to AI, student meals, and ...
May 06, 2025•50 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Cindy M. Reilmann, CPA, SFO, Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Michael Maclin, Superintendent of Schools, from the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County. Facing a projected $74 million deficit, SSD launched the Righting the Ship plan—a strategic roadmap designed to stabilize finances while preserving their mission to serve students with excellence. Cindy and Dr. Maclin share how they tackled tough decisions, de...
Apr 29, 2025•42 min
How do school leaders move beyond compliance and create budgets that reflect shared values? In this episode of School Business Insider, John Brucato sits down with Dr. Michael Juech, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the Howard-Suamico School District in Wisconsin, to explore his thought-provoking article, "We Versus Me: Collaborative Resource Allocation and Budget Management." Dr. Juech shares actionable strategies for engaging school leaders, staff, and board members in transparent, m...
Apr 22, 2025•48 min
Food procurement is one of the biggest challenges facing school business officials today. Between regulatory red tape, supply chain disruptions, and vendor relationships, school districts must navigate a complex system to ensure students receive nutritious meals. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Sacha Pouliot, SFO/RSBA, and Darin Crawford, MBA, RTSBA, to break down their work with the Food Advisory Procurement Workgroup. Together, they explore: Common pr...
Apr 15, 2025•47 min
As Congress considers major changes to Medicaid through budget reconciliation, schools across the country are at risk of losing critical funding that supports student health services. In this episode, we talk with Jessie Mandle, National Program Director at Healthy Schools Campaign, about the newly released report based on a national school Medicaid survey. Jessie and John explore how districts—especially in rural areas—depend on Medicaid to fund services for students with disabilities and menta...
Apr 08, 2025•37 min
School nutrition programs are under threat — and school business officials need to be prepared. In this episode of School Business Insider, we speak with Crystal FitzSimons, interim President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), about the latest policy proposals in Washington that could impact access to school meals. Crystal breaks down potential changes to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and income verification requirements, and explains how these would affect school budge...
Apr 01, 2025•42 min
Artificial intelligence is here, and it’s changing the way school business officials operate—if they know how to use it effectively. In this episode of School Business Insider , host John Brucato sits down with Aziz Aghayev, CEO of Flowlyst, to discuss how AI is transforming school finance operations, from budget forecasting to policy creation and meeting summaries. Aziz shares: The Five Phases of AI Adoption SBOs go through How AI can boost productivity and reduce manual workload Practical use ...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Operational excellence has transformed industries like manufacturing and healthcare, but what about education? Can schools apply these same principles to streamline operations, maximize resources, and improve student outcomes? In this follow-up conversation, I reconnect with Stephen Morales, Chief Executive of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) in the UK, to revisit our discussion on Operational Excellence (OPEX) in schools and explore how the movement has evolved over the past y...
Mar 18, 2025•41 min
Financial uncertainty is a constant challenge for school business officials, but how districts respond to it can determine long-term success. Instead of simply reacting to budget shortfalls, SBOs must take a strategic approach to resource allocation and financial planning. In this episode, Jonathan Travers, President & Managing Partner of Consulting at Education Resource Strategies (ERS), shares insights on managing financial uncertainty, using return on investment to guide budgeting decisio...
Mar 11, 2025•54 min
Strong leadership is tested in challenging times. With shifting policies, financial strain, and increasing accountability, school business officials must make critical decisions that impact their districts, staff, and students. But how can SBOs maintain composure, ethics, and strategic clarity when facing these pressures? In Part 1 of our two-part series on Strengthening School Leadership, Jim Rowan, Executive Director of ASBO International joins us to discuss how SBOs can lead effectively throu...
Mar 04, 2025•55 min
Budgeting in a school district isn’t just about balancing the books—it’s about making strategic financial decisions that ensure long-term stability, transparency, and alignment with district goals. With fluctuating funding, increasing costs, and growing stakeholder expectations, school business officials must be proactive in their approach to financial planning. In this episode of School Business Insider , Bob Saul, Business Administrator and Board Treasurer at East Penn School District in Penns...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Economic conditions are constantly shifting, and school districts must navigate interest rates, inflation, and policy decisions to make sound financial choices. With a new White House administration and evolving market trends, school business officials need to stay ahead of economic trends to manage investments, control costs, and plan for the future. In this episode of School Business Insider, we’re joined by John Huber, SVP & Chief Investment Officer at PMA Asset Management, Kendra Shellan...
Feb 18, 2025•51 min
Salary negotiations should be about qualifications and experience, but research shows that gender bias plays a significant role in the outcomes—even in school business leadership. So how does gender influence pay in the education sector, and what can be done to close the gap? In this episode of School Business Insider, we sit down with Dr. Ron Clamser, Assistant Superintendent for Business at Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES, to explore the findings of his dissertation, The Effect of Gender B...
Feb 11, 2025•37 min
