Primary Purpose:
Responsible for oversight of all financial, business affairs and operations of the district. Provide leadership for the district’s financial services activity to ensure legally sound and effective management practices. Direct and monitor the management and investment of all district funds and ensure they are adequately protected. Serve as chief financial advisor and budget advisor to the superintendent and board of trustees. Responsible for the overall management, strategic planning, development, evaluation, and implementation of district maintenance, child nutrition, warehousing, health services, and transportation functions.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Superintendent Certification
Master’s degree in education, administration, business, accounting, or other related field
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Advanced knowledge of school finance, budgeting, accounting systems, and economics
Knowledge of information/data processing systems and financial applications
Ability to resolve conflict, listen, and appropriately respond to concerns
Demonstrated leadership skills
Ability to manage budget and personnel
Ability to implement policy and procedures
Ability to interpret data
Excellent communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills
Knowledge of operations management
Ability to interpret data and evaluate maintenance and custodial programs
Experience:
3 years administrative or management experience
3 years experience with supervisory responsibility in the field of finance and operations
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Financial Management
- Ensure preparation and integrity of all district general accounting records and related financial reports using accepted standards for school accounting as prescribed by the Texas Education Agency.
- Develop long-range and short-term objectives for the district's business operations and prepare the district budget. Monitor budget variances and oversee budget adjustments.
- Act as financial advisor to the superintendent and board of trustees and keep them informed of the financial condition of the district.
- Maintain the district’s investment portfolio. Supervise and coordinate the investment of all available funds to the best interest of the school district and ensure that these funds are adequately protected against loss at all times.
- Ensure that all financial obligations of the school district (accounts payable, notes payable, bonded indebtedness, and payroll) are met on a timely basis.
- Implement and maintain internal control procedures to ensure the safeguarding of assets and reliability of accounting data and to promote operational efficiency and ensure adherence to prescribed procedures.
- Oversee the auditing program for all district funds and work cooperatively with the district’s independent and internal auditors in conducting periodic audits.
- Administer the business office budget and ensure that programs are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
Operations Management
- Oversee the management of facilities maintenance, warehouse, child nutrition, health services, and transportation operations of the district.
- Incorporate district-level goals into operational objectives to ensure that students arrive at school and school activities safely and on time; receive nutritious meals; and attend school in an environment that is safe, clean, and conducive to learning.
- Monitor and reevaluate operations departments on an ongoing basis to ensure that district needs are being met in an effective and efficient manner. Implement changes where appropriate.
- Collaborate with architects and consultants during the design and planning phases of all construction projects to ensure compliance with the district’s specifications, design and construction standards, and building programs. Monitor the progress and compliance of ongoing construction projects.
- Ensure that the necessary time, resources, materials, and technology to support accomplishment of department goals are available.
Policy, Reports, and Law
- Review and recommend appropriate policies, administrative regulations, and administrative practices for the areas supervised.
- Implement the policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and local Board policy in the areas assigned.
- Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, and other documents required including preparing and evaluating monthly financial statements and related budget reports, preparing quarterly and final reports for all federal funds and grants, developing semi-annual financial information for submission of data to TEA and preparing and publishing comprehensive annual financial report in compliance with Association of School Business Officer (ASBO) standards.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Budget
- Develop and administer the department budget based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
Communication
- Ensure that established goals and expectations related to district operations are communicated clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner.
Personnel Management
- Prepare, review, and revise job descriptions in finance, maintenance, child nutrition, warehouse, and transportation departments as needed.
- Develop training options and improvement plans for department staff to enhance the effectiveness of department operations.
- Select, train, evaluate, and supervise department staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
Safety
- Ensure that safety standards are maintained in conformance with federal, state, and insurance regulations and a district-wide preventive safety program is developed and implemented.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Other
- Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations on finance and operational issues to the board when appropriate and/or requested. Attend regular meetings of the board.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervise, evaluate, and recommend the hiring and firing of the business manager, risk manager, payroll supervisor, maintenance, transportation, warehouse, health services, and food service supervisors and staff, and operations department clerical staff.
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
Environment: May work prolonged or irregular hours; occasional districtwide and statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
*To meet the executive exemption test, the primary duty must be management and the employee must supervise at least two full-time employees.
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.