Description
Book SynopsisBuilding a strong relationship with the CFO is essential for superintendents seeking to build sustainable educational programs for all students. Benzel and Hoover use their CFO and superintendent experience to identify what current and future leaders in both roles need to know and be able to do with respect to fiscal leadership and improved student learning. This book emphasizes that a focus on student achievement must be central to fiscal planning. The authors discuss the role values play in forming the leadership team, how to create a climate for success through collaborative strategies and ways to build systems strength to cope with uncertainty in fiscal planning. Using this leadership base, they outline the key management elements that must be in place to assure sound fiscal practices that monitor fiscal status and manage cash flow to mitigate uncertainty. Benchmarks for organizational success enhance communication with governing boards, internal audiences and taxpayers. This se
Trade Review
Benzel and Hoover provide an essential, practical handbook to district leadership that focuses on using limited resources to improve outcomes for all students. The lessons and vignettes on strategic planning, aligning resources, and monitoring bring to life the challenges and the systems that can be built to support achieving these goals.
-- Greg Baker, superintendent, Bellingham (WA) Public Schools
Trust is key to every relationship, and superintendents and CFOs are no exception. Benzel and Hoover lay the groundwork for achieving trust and deliver crucial lessons in how to turn that trust into the foundation for successful school systems that support student learning and achievement.
-- Susan Enfield, superintendent, CFO, Highline (WA) Public Schools
A budget is a moral document that truly states the core values of a school system and broader community. The work between the superintendent and CFO is critical in ensuring a school system is meeting the needs of ALL students. This book details how to strengthen the relationship and build a shared vision.
-- Gustavo Balderas, superintendent, Edmonds (WA) School District
The relationship between the superintendent and the CFO is the north star that positively impacts outcomes for the students they serve. Benzel and Hoover’s book powerfully examines this critical partnership and offers valuable guidance to these district leaders as they navigate both the technical and adaptive challenges in their roles.
-- Stephen Zrike, superintendent, Salem (MA) Public Schools
Table of ContentsForeword
Helene Paroff
Washington Association of School Administrators
Dr. Steven Fink
Center for Educational Leadership
University of Washington
Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I: LEADING THE BUSINESS OF LEARNING
- Student Achievement is Paramount
- Values Outperform Skills
- Create the Climate
- Collaborate for Success
- Build Systems Strength
Part II: MANAGING THE BUSINESS OF LEARNING
- Manage Uncertainty
- Know Your Status
- Cash is King
- Benchmark for Improvement
- Consistent Communication
- Building the Buildings
- How to Detect and Prevent Fraud and Embezzlement
Part III: BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
- Knowing What to Do and When to Do It
Bibliography
Glossary of Fiscal Terms
Index
About the Authors
