About NYSASBO

School Business Administrators facilitate efficient operations so that resources may be invested in educational programs. A few examples may include:

• A trained Business Official carefully managing a district's cash flow can maximize return on investments (even during periods of low rates of return) and minimize the need to borrow, thus saving district funds.
• Cooperative purchasing efforts have saved teacher time by providing organized lists and have also resulted in considerable cost savings thereby reallocating resources to the instructional program.
• School Business Officials, through collaborative efforts with other districts, BOCES, municipalities and businesses where physical and human resources are shared, can help their districts realize significant net savings in those areas.
• School Business Officials across the state have developed compendia of strategies for cost savings, resulting in economies in areas such as insurance, shared purchasing, transportation and other services.

Successful management of the wide array of responsibilities requires a School Business Administrator to have developed a broad base of expertise - from a keen grasp of modern business practices to a clear understanding of and commitment to the instructional program. Business Officials often come from instructional backgrounds, certified public accountancy, or other areas of the business community.

Leadership and Conceptual Skills

The Business Official must possess intelligence, high ethical standards, good judgement, initiative, creative vision, commitment to educational excellence and dedication to the mission of the district.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

A Business Official must be an astute listener and effective communicator. Strong verbal and written skills will be a valuable asset in relating effectively with the Superintendent, Board of Education, administrators, teachers, other staff, parents and the community. The Business Official should play a key role in the formulation of the district's public relations and long range plans to articulate the financial needs and educational progress as well as accountability in the district.

Technical Skills

These are the everyday tools, the "how-to" necessary to achieve success in managing the district's affairs. Effective coordination of fiscal and statistical data, a knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment in changing times, and prudent management of fiscal resources are areas that can be developed with preparation and experience that need to be maintained through participation in staff development activities. These activities are often provided by the New York State Association of School Business Officials and its international and regional affiliates, as are opportunities for Business Administrators to interact among their peers sharing ideas and creative solutions to their districts' common concerns.

Our Nation and State have experienced widespread change affecting children and the financial management of our schools. Among these many changes are:

• Proliferation of Federal and State instructional mandates, frequently without sufficient funding for implementation;
• Significant alteration of the make-up and the roles of parents and families has led to expectations that the schools will provide more services for children such as pre-K educational programs and specific programs for children who suffer from abuse and neglect;
• Realization that public schools must address health concerns – lead, radon, asbestos, AIDS and AEDs – placing greater economic strain on already limited financial resources;
• Calls for educational reform at all levels leading to the development of Federal initiatives such as No Child Left Behind. Additionally, the New York State Education Commissioner and Board of Regents Higher Learning Standards and other initiatives aimed at improving student performance;
• Significant economic challenges in New York which have diminished resources and, subsequently, increased taxpayer resistance to the support of education - the requirement to do more with less.

These changes and others take on greater significance when linked to the serious economic challenges this nation faces from abroad, and the realization that our schools must adapt if we are to be competitive in the world market. To accomplish this will require strong fiscal leadership to effectively manage available dollars and stimulate a new era of productivity and progress in public education.

The position of School Business Official is unique in New York State since individuals seeking to become Business Officials can pursue one of two options. They can qualify under Education Law by possessing a School District Administrator (SDA), School Business Administrator (SBA), or  School District Business Leader (SDBL) certification through the New York State Education Department or they may enter classified civil service by passing a written exam under the auspices of the local county civil service commission.

Certified School Business Official

Common Job Titles: Assistant Superintendent or Business Administrator

The State Education Department no longer issues the SDA or SBA certifications. Candidates seeking certification as a schol business official must now pursue the SDBL certification. 

Educational Requirements for the School District Business Leader (SDBL) Certification

• Completion of higher education school business program registered with the State Education Department as an approved program leading to the SDBL certification
• The approved program requires an academic accumulation of a BA degree plus 60 graduate credit hours including a Master's Degree. Twenty four (24) hours of the 60 graduate credit hours must be in education administration.
• Endorsement of the candidate by the higher education program of completion
• Completion of an approved internship
• Passage of the state administered SDBL certifying exam

SDBL Renewal Requirements

The SDBL certificate is granted for a five-year period. The certificate can be renewed following completion of 175 hours of accepted continuing education during the certification period.

Classified School Business Official

Common Job Titles: Business Manager or Business Executive

Educational Requirements

Requirements vary among local civil service commissions. Usually requires a BA degree.

Successful candidates must take an exam (administered by the local civil service commission) to qualify for placement on the local civil service commission’s hireability list for the appropriate title(s) for school business official

Experience

Requirement set by the local civil service commission

Further information and assistance regarding the role of a School Business Official may be obtained by contacting the office of the Executive Director of the New York State Association of School Business Officials, 7 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207 or call (518) 434-2281. E-mail: asbomail@nysasbo.org

The New York State Association of School Business Officials (herein after referred to as the Association) is a professional organization concerned that its members maintain qualities which characterize a professional person. Therefore, membership in the Association implies that the member has assumed an obligation to be diligent in the performance of professional service, fair and honest in relations with all district staff, the board of education, fellow practitioners, the State and the public, and has a proper appreciation of School Business Official duties. In recognition hereof, and to establish and maintain high standards of principles in school business methods and practices, the Association has promulgated the following standards of conduct and rules of professional ethics.

Standards of Conduct

To make the well-being of students a basic principle in all decision making and actions.

To pursue good stewardship of the District’s resources, full disclosure of relevant information, and to refrain from using the position for personal gain.

To exhibit commitment and loyalty to the governing board by implementing its policies, rules and directives.

To follow the principle of due process and protect the civil and human rights of all individuals.

To maintain the highest professional standards and seek to improve the effectiveness of the position of School Business Official through continuing professional development.

To fulfill all professional responsibilities with honesty and integrity.

To obey all national, state and local laws and regulations.

Rules of Professional Ethics

1. A member shall not commit an act discreditable to the school business profession.

2. A member shall:

a) make no promises or statements without appropriate authority which would be binding or appear to be binding on the member’s public office.

b) dispense no special favors or privileges either for remuneration or reciprocal favors, and accept no benefits or favors of any kind which might be construed as influencing the judicious performance of the member’s public duties.

c) maintain the highest levels of personal and professional integrity, and set the best possible example for colleagues, the community and the younger generation.

3. No member, while acting as a school business official, shall:

a) have any direct or indirect interest whatsoever in any contract or business or professional dealings with the school district in which the member is employed, except by operation of law.

b) act as attorney, agent, broker, representative or employee in a business or professional dealing with the school district in which the member is employed, for any person or corporation.

c) engage in, solicit, negotiate for or promise to accept private employment or render services for private interests when such employment or service creates a conflict of interest or impairs the proper discharge of the member’s official duties.

d) invest in or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial, business, commercial or other private organization, which creates a conflict of interest with the member’s official duties.

4. No member, while acting in the capacity as a school business official, shall:

a) directly or indirectly solicit any gift for personal gain or use.

b) accept or receive any gift which would violate the provisions of the laws of New York State.

5. No member shall disclose confidential information acquired by the member in the course of the member’s official duties except when required by law, nor shall the member use such information to further the financial or other private interests of the member or others.