Business Office Specialist 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: an overview of hardware, the how toís of developing a technology plan, the major business office software applications, and some telecommunications issues.

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.

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.

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

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

Total class time is 34 hours. Continuing Education hours are 90 hours within a five-calendar-year period.