In this episode of School Business Insider, we explore the future of school technology and connectivity through the lens of the federal E-Rate program and other key EdTech policies. Our guests, Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director of Advocacy & Governance at AASA, and Jon Bernstein, President of Bernstein Strategy Group, provide in-depth insights into the vital role of E-Rate in supporting school connectivity and how recent legal challenges, including a 5th Circuit Court ruling, ...
Sep 10, 2024•53 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, we tackle the critical issue of cybersecurity in K-12 schools with special guest Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). As schools increasingly become targets for cyberattacks, particularly ransomware, Keith shares invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and the best practices that school districts can implement to protect their data and systems. From understanding the importance of multi-fac...
Sep 03, 2024•54 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, we take an in-depth look at the financial audit process and the essential relationship between school business officials and auditors. Our guests, Regina Sampson, Business Manager at Corbett School District in Oregon, and Jean Larson, Director of Government Resource Management & Senior Audit Manager at Umpqua Valley Financial, bring their wealth of experience to the discussion. Together, they explore the technical steps involved in a school distric...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, we’re giving you an exclusive preview of the 2024 ASBO International Conference and Expo, set to take place in Nashville, Tennessee, from September 18th to 20th. Join us as we speak with Jim Rowan, Executive Director of ASBO International, Cristin Watson, Director of Education, and Lorie Grooms, Director of Events, who share the immense effort and planning that goes into organizing this marquee event. We discuss the must-attend sessions, keynote speake...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, we explore a story of perseverance, resilience, and career evolution with Brady Brucato, Coordinator of Sales & Relationship Management at PMA Financial Network, LLC. Brady shares her remarkable journey through the world of school business, from starting as a state aid planner at Questar III BOCES to her roles at ASBO New York, Forecast5, and Frontline Education. Despite facing significant challenges securing a school business official position in ...
Aug 13, 2024•55 min
In this episode of School Business Insider, we delve into the critical topic of long-range facilities planning with two experts from BLDD Architects. Join us as we sit down with Kayla Peck, an architectural designer, and Damien Schlitt, Director for K–12 and a principal at BLDD, to explore why comprehensive facilities planning is essential for the success and sustainability of educational environments. Kayla and Damien share their deep understanding of developing strategic plans that align schoo...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this conversation, Jeff Laporta, the Executive Director of Maryland ASBO, discusses leadership lessons for school business officials and how they can be related to classic TV shows. Jeff shares his background and experience in school business administration and explains his journey towards becoming a better leader. He highlights the importance of combining great work with great leadership and the impact of ego on leadership effectiveness. Jeff also explains how he uses classic TV shows like T...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Amanda Verba, Chief Operations Officer at the Ithaca City School District, shares her journey of handling a failed budget vote and the challenges she faced. The budget process in New York requires a majority vote from registered voters to approve the budget. If the budget fails, the district has a condensed timeline to redevelop a budget and go back for another vote. Amanda discusses the factors that led to the failed budget, including an increase in property assessments and an aspirational goal...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In this conversation, Tim Hilker and Christine DeMass, two School Business Officials who have served and will be serving on the ASBO New York Board of Directors discuss their backgrounds, their involvement with ASBO New York and ASBO International, and their experiences as board members. Tim shares advice for new board members and highlights the close relationships and sea of change within the organization. Christine talks about her motivation to join the board and her desire to have a voice in ...
Jul 16, 2024•48 min
In this conversation, Jim Spellos, the president of Meeting U, shares insights on the transformative world of artificial intelligence and its potential to revolutionize school business operations. He discusses the background of AI, generative AI, traditional AI, and the differences between them. He also explores the use of AI in education, the challenges of AI detection, and the future of AI in the job market. Additionally, he provides valuable tips on how to prompt AI effectively for optimal re...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Summary In this episode, representatives from GOVMVMT discuss the importance of cooperative purchasing for public school districts. They explain how cooperative purchasing can streamline procurement processes, increase cost savings, and provide access to a wider range of goods and services. The mechanics of cooperative purchasing are explored, including the role of lead agencies and the compliance requirements. The guests also discuss when school districts should consider cooperative purchasing ...
Jul 02, 2024•55 min
Lou Pepe, the Director of Business Services at Southern Lehigh School District, shares his journey and insights on leadership in the educational sector. He discusses the qualities of a great leader in school business and the importance of communication, delegation, integrity, motivation, team building, empathy, flexibility, innovation, positivity, and vision. Lou also talks about his book 'Pathways to Leadership' and the key themes of pathfinding, trailblazing, pace setting, and voyagi...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Dr. Timothy Unruh, the Executive Director of the National Association of Energy Service Companies, discusses the challenges that school districts face in maintaining and upgrading their facilities. These challenges include aging infrastructure, insufficient funds, and the impact of climate change. He highlights the importance of innovative financial strategies and partnerships, such as energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) and collaborations with energy service companies (ESCOs), in revam...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 3 min
This episode explores the world of school business literature with the Editorial Advisory Committee (EAC) of ASBO International. The EAC plays a crucial role in shaping the content of School Business Affairs Magazine and other publications. The committee generates ideas for articles, reviews submissions, and ensures that the content remains relevant and valuable to school business professionals. The EAC members discuss their experiences on the committee, the creative process of selecting and org...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Summary Mike McCarthy, Director of Business and Administration at St. Johnsbury Academy, Jeju, shares insights into managing finances, operations, and resources in an international school setting in South Korea. He discusses the challenges of navigating language and cultural barriers, adapting to the regulatory landscape, and building trust with the national staff. McCarthy emphasizes the importance of respecting and understanding the Korean culture and traditions while integrating Westernized s...
Jun 04, 2024•53 min
Today's conversation explores the topic of electric busing and the challenges and opportunities it presents for school districts. The panel of experts discusses the sweeping trends of electric busing nationwide, including the funding from the EPA and the political ramifications. They also touch on the logistical issues of infrastructure, training, and disposal of batteries. The implementation experiences of different districts are shared, highlighting the proactive approach to infrastructur...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Summary The ASBO International Eagle Institute is a premier event designed specifically for school business officials seeking to elevate their skills, expand their knowledge, and connect with peers from around the globe. The Eagle Institute offers a unique professional development opportunity that combines leadership training with a focus on history. Attendees have the chance to learn from quality speakers, explore historical sites, and build relationships with colleagues. The Institute is open ...
May 21, 2024•52 min
Summary In this episode, the guests discuss the Secure Act 2.0 and its potential impact on public schools. They highlight the need for retirement planning in the education sector and the challenges faced by teachers relying solely on pension benefits. The Secure Act 2.0 aims to address these issues by providing opportunities for individuals to save more for retirement and offering additional benefits such as Roth provisions and student loan forgiveness. The legislation also includes provisions f...
May 14, 2024•1 hr
Summary In this episode, representatives from ASBO International and ASBO New York share their insights into the operations and leadership of these associations. They discuss the mission and vision of ASBO International, the unique challenges faced by ASBO New York & state affiliates, and the strategic planning efforts of both organizations. The conversation also highlights the important work that goes on behind the scenes of associations, including the role of staff in providing support and...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Summary In this three part episode, we have the privilege of speaking with three remarkable leaders who share their insights and experiences in addressing critical issues in education. In our first segment, we delve into the importance of collaborative partnerships in school business management with Panther Valley School District's initiative to address parking lot maintenance challenges. By partnering with local municipalities, the district not only saved costs but also enhanced resource u...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Summary Stephen Morales, Chief Executive of the Institute of School Business Leadership, discusses the implementation of operational excellence in public education. Morales shares his background in education and his mission to improve the educational experience for students, educators, and communities. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing autonomy and accountability, the role of culture and technology in operational excellence, and the need for setting clear expectations and sta...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr
Summary The conversation focuses on the ASBO International Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, which nurtures the next generation of leaders in school business management. Three scholarship recipients share their experiences and reflections on the program. They discuss their backgrounds, interest in the program, and the impact it has had on their careers. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, networking, and professional development. The participants also discuss the commit...
Apr 16, 2024•31 min
Summary In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with the incoming board of directors for ASBO International to discuss their backgrounds, motivations for running, and the support they received from their state organizations. They also talk about the challenges of balancing their new commitments with their day jobs and share their takeaways from the leadership forum. Takeaways Running for ASBO International board requires support from state organizations and a stro...
Apr 09, 2024•36 min
Summary In this episode, John Wilson, Chief School Financial Officer at Baldwin County Schools, discusses the topic of school choice and its implications for school business officials. He explains the different types of school choice programs, such as education savings accounts, voucher programs, tax credit scholarships, and tax credit education savings accounts. Wilson highlights the challenges faced by school districts in planning for school choice and the impact on enrollment and funding. He ...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr
Summary In this episode, Elleka Yost and Noelle Ellerson Ng aka, "Noelleka", discuss various topics related to federal education policy. They cover the partnership between ASBO International and AASA, changes in Congress and education policy, and President Biden's State of the Union address. They also discuss the funding for pre-K, increased funding for chronic absenteeism and learning recovery, raising pay for teachers, and privacy policies affecting educational institutions and ...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Summary In this two part episode, John reflects on the first and second day of the 2024 ASBO International Leadership Forum and discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and board leadership. The guests share their experiences with the DiSC® profile exercise and how it has helped them understand their own leadership styles and interact with their staff more effectively. The conversation explores the importance of creating a safe space for vulnerability, the accuracy and self-awareness o...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Summary Sarah Viera, the Executive Director of Business Services at the Mequon-Thiensville School District in Wisconsin, speaks about effectively communicating the budget. Sarah shares her background and the unique aspects of her district, including the inclusion of a recreation department. She discusses the challenges she faced during the pandemic in communicating the budget and the misconceptions that arose. Sarah explains how her district formed a community task force to address these challen...
Mar 12, 2024•35 min
In this two part episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Victor Manuel and Julie Marlette to discuss advocacy in the education sector. They talk about the importance of speaking to lawmakers and the best approach to do so. They also discuss the challenges of advocating for education amidst competing interests and the political dance that often takes place. John also speaks with Ron Clamser to reflect on their day of advocacy together. The episode highlights the prepara...
Mar 05, 2024•51 min
In recognition of Public Schools week this week, we're highlighting the great things SBOs are doing with ESSER funds to support their students! In this episode, the guests discuss the impact of ESSER funds on their school districts. They provide background information on their districts and demographics. The conversation covers topics such as the initial reactions to the funding, the challenges faced by business and grants offices, the transition off ESSER funds, and the focus on addressing...
Feb 27, 2024•42 min
In this episode, John Brucato interviews Cindy Reilmann, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services/CFO at the Ferguson Florissant School District. They discuss Cindy's transition from a higher wealth district to a higher needs district and the challenges and opportunities that come with it. They also explore the role of school business officials in impacting student achievement and managing resources in different districts. Cindy shares her first impressions of her new district and the...
Feb 20, 2024•56 min
