Business Office Manager Course Descriptions

Introduction to School Business (14 hours): An overview of school business operations with a focus on several key areas. The program begins with a brief background on the general functions of the School Business Office Manager. Major components of the program include: listing and describing reports that must be filed with federal, state, and local agencies; reviewing school laws and the Revised School Code; introducing fund accounting processes; reviewing school organizational issues and operational issues (how school boards and administrators function); and exploring inter-relationships between the business office and site operations - offices in school buildings, facilities, transportation, and food services. Part of the program is devoted to discussion about the roles and functions of the school business official.

Cash Management (3 hours): This session will develop specifications for the selection of banking and other financial services, teach you how to apply the concept of compensating balances, comprehend procedures and legal constraints for cash collection and disbursement, analyze monthly internal transfers and loans, prepare a cash flow analysis, inclding a fund balance report for the board of education, and identify and deal with fraud and abuse.

Information Systems (3 hours): Use of computers and technology in the business office and the classroom, including: overview of hardware, developing a technology plan, major business office software applications, and some telecommunications issues.

Labor Relations/Employment Law (6 hours): Major state and federal employment laws, that apply to public schools. Includes: collective bargaining, wage and hour, discrimination, COBRA, Family Medical Leave Act, and federal and state retirement issues.

Payroll and Related Personnel Issues (3 hours): Laws and regulations related to the payroll function including: state and federal payroll laws and regulations, pertinent tax regulations, employee retirement plans, practical aspects of completing a payroll, and electronic check deposits.

Principles of Education (3 hours): Provide an understanding of: the educational process, culture of schools, major learning theories, teaching methodologies, school improvement, design of in-service programs, and the structure and function of the principalship.

Public Relations and Internal Communications (3 hours): Background in PR and presenting yourself to others, including: developing a public relations plan, working with your community, relating to other administrators within your organization, doing a budget presentation, and using internal and external committees in developing a budget.

Purchasing (3 hours): Basics of performing the purchasing function, including: related Michigan laws, the structure of a purchasing operation, electronic and cooperative purchasing, bidding, reviewing contracts, lease-purchase options, and "partnerships."

Team Leadership (3 hours): The components of leadership in general, and the methods and challenges of managing people including recruiting, training, motivating and evaluating your staff.

Technology for the Business Manager (3 hours): This session will assist the Business Manager in promoting the development of staff training in technology for the school district. It will focus on developing long-range planning for the school district, while assigining appropriate specifications for technology purchasing. Technology infrastructure contracting for the school district, evaluating the cost benefits of producing information in relation to organizational value, and ensuring that apprpriate security is maintained will also be discussed.

Wrap-up (2 hours): A concluding session to very briefly review the major program content areas, provide references and resource materials, and a chance for the participants to reflect back and look forward on their roles.

Elective (6 hours): Any class can be taken in your area of specialty.

Total class time is 52 hours. Continuing Education hours are 90 hours within a five-calendar-year period.