Public School Finance and Operations

Three Micro-Credentials.
Nine Credits Towards Our MPA Degree.

Three courses, each running in a 7-week mini-term. Our courses are geared to individuals interested in becoming School Business Officials, or people just interested in increasing their knowledge of school business operations. This latter group could include Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, people working on their 092 or 093 certifications, newly appointed SBOs, individuals working in the school business office, and people working in finance either in the municipal side or the private side.

Each course earns a badge, which you can display on your social media. In addition, complete both courses and you will be awarded a micro-credential certificate.

Acquire the Specialized Skills That Lead to Career Advancement

Public School Operations badge

Through the Public School Operations micro-credential program, you will learn to navigate the complexities of day-to-day operations, including but not limited to:

  • Overview of the School Business Official responsibilities
  • Finance Operations, funding sources
  • Food Service operations
  • Maintenance and Custodial operations
  • Transportation, including bus contracts, fuel provisions, parent requests, and handicap issues
  • Purchasing vs. leasing
  • Collective Bargaining and labor contracts
  • The BOE Policy book

Course Dates: Aug. 28 - Oct. 16

Cost: $1,530

Public School Finance Management badge

The micro-credential in Public School Financial Management program runs the range of financial matters, including but not limited to:

  • The BOE budget
  • Monthly financial reports
  • Federal and State grants
  • BOE revenue sources
  • Bidding and purchasing policies
  • Collective Bargaining and labor contracts
  • Audits
  • Best practices end of fiscal year spending

Course Dates: Oct. 25 - Dec. 20

Cost: $1,530

Public School Human Resources and Educational Budgeting

The Public School Human Resources and Educational Budgeting micro-credential program highlights the integration of human resources and related costs as part of a public school budget. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Collective bargaining
  • Teacher Negotiation Act (TNA)
  • Municipal Employee Relations Act (MERA)
  • Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
  • Municipal pensions
  • Contract negotiations
  • Employee costs with an emphasis on pensions and health insurance
  • Translating personnel into a BOE budget

Course dates: March 5 - April 29, 2024

Cost: $1,530

Who You Are, What You Want to Accomplish

To highlight a few examples, these micro-credentials are for you if you are:

  • A Superintendent interested in improving your understanding of financial operations
  • A Municipal Finance Officer interested in school finances
  • A newly appointed or experienced school finance officer who wants to know more about town finances and how they impact school operations
  • A school business office staff member who wants to become a School Business Official (SBO)
  • An elected BOE member who needs to get a handle on your school鈥檚 financial and business operations
How We Deliver the Programs

  • Students do not have to matriculate at the University, so enrollment is easy.
  • We offer the programs in a 100% online format with virtual meetings offered once a week every Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30.
  • Credits can be applied to our fully online MPA program.
  • Students with any level of past education are eligible.
  • Instructors have extensive experience in both municipal finance and educational finance and operations.