The Profession
The School Business Official
The business of education in many instances is the largest single enterprise in a community. Given the operation's magnitude and importance, an individual with the financial and managerial expertise to provide fiscal leadership is a vital member of the school district's management team. A School Business Administrator can assist greatly in facilitating the allocation and redirection of resources to educational programs, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all students.
Business Official Responsibilities
The responsibilities of a School Business Official are diverse, complex, subject to change and quite often vary from district to district for many reasons. The Business Official is a key member of the management team representing the Superintendent and Board of Education in the management of district financial, physical, material and human resources. The extent of interaction between Business Officials, Boards of Education, administrators, teachers, staff, parents and community is dynamic and changing. This interaction of participants must be spelled out and articulated to all stakeholders.
The following is a partial listing of responsibilities usually performed or supervised by a School Business Official:
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Accounting Human Resource Management Auditing Information Management Budget Development Insurance/Risk Management |
Cash Flow Management Investments Collective Bargaining Management of Business Office Community Relations Operations & Maintenance |
Educational Facilities Planning Payroll Management Emergency/Disaster Planning Purchasing/Supply Management Financial Reporting Records Management |
Food Service Staff Development Grant Writing Transportation |
School Business Officials Make a Difference for the Educational Program
School Business Administrators facilitate efficient operations so that resources may be invested in educational programs. A few examples may include: read more »
Competencies Required of School Business Officials
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 read more »
A Time of Change
Our Nation and State have experienced widespread change affecting children and the financial management of our schools. read more »
Requirements Necessary to Become a School Business Official
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.
Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
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. read more »
