EdL 526 Business Management in Education 2 Semester Hours Fall 2003 University of North Dakota

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1 EdL 526 Business Management in Education 2 Semester Hours Fall 2003 University of North Dakota Instructor: Sherryl A. (Sherry) Houdek, Ed.D. Home address: 1723 S. 20 th St., Grand Forks, North Dakota Office address: Office: 207 I Education Building P.O. Box 7189, Department of Educational Leadership University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota Department phone number: Instructor s office phone number: Fax number: Home phone number: sherryl.houdek@und.nodak.edu Office hours: By appointment Meeting dates: September 28 & 29 on campus Room 203 Sunday - 3 p.m. 10:00 p.m Monday 8:00 4:00 p.m. November 9 & 10 on campus Room 203 Sunday - 3 9:00 p.m. Monday - 8:00 4:00 p.m. Special Needs: If you have a disability and need special accommodation, please advise the instructor or the Office of Disability Support Service (at your institution) of such disability and the desired accommodation at the beginning of the semester or at such later time as a disability may be incurred. Catalog Description This course involves the study and analysis of the business functions of school districts, with a emphasis placed on administering the school budget, purchasing practices, funding sources, capital outlay management and policy development. Purpose The purpose of this course is to assist in the preparation of individuals for the responsibility of management of the business functions within a public school district or other educational institution. Three major areas of the course will feature: accounting practices budget cycle phases of development, management and analysis; specific applications of business practices with cash management, purchasing, and risk management; and the content will provide skills and knowledge that should be of assistance in managing the business functions of school districts, and other educational and governmental institutions. Objectives Upon completion of this course the participant will have: acquired a general knowledge of the principles, policies and practices of public school accounting; developed an understanding of the budget process and application of practices, and achieved knowledge and practical skills related to specific areas of responsibility associated with school business management.

2 Course Grading and Assignments Readings, Assignments & Participation: (50 points 30 for participation and 20 points for attendance) In preparation for each class session, participants should read materials assigned and review the provided list of resources of information to become familiar with content for the course. Participants are expected to attend and participate in all scheduled class sessions and assignments. Should attendance not be possible, the participant is expected to notify the instructor in advance and is responsible for obtaining handouts, notes and/or general information from another participant so as to be prepared for future class sessions. The final grade for the course will be reduced for each session in which a student does not participate, whether due to absence, inadequate preparation or other cause. Extra credit may be approved for each session in which a student does not participate. Instructor must give approval, prior to the absence regarding the nature of the extra credit. Participation will include discussion, small group activities, in-class readings and assignments. Participants will be expected to respond orally and/or in writing, depending on the instructor s request. The instructor will review participation based on student responsiveness to assigned tasks, clarity and judgment, written or oral communications and interaction with other students. Final Paper (in place of a written exam) (50 points) Research one area of education finance and prepare a paper on the topic. Possible topics may include: School audits why; what administrative responsibilities are attached to the finalized audit; how should the audits findings be discussed and communicated to the stake holders Analyzing the budget process for productivity - purpose Politics in school financing Research three court cases involving any area of school funding; provide a summary of each case; the implication, findings, and your opinion. Other seek approval by instructor The final will be typed and a minimum of eight pages excluding title page and bibliography and must have a minimum of eight sources. Due Date: November 21. Portfolio and Presentation (75 points)) May work with another student or in a group of three. Presentations will take place on November 9 & 10. Time limit for the presentations will depend on class enrollment. Each participant(s) is expected to select a topic pertinent to school finances in education or other settings and to have the topic approved in advance by the instructor. A portfolio will be developed and given to the instructor. If you work in a group, only one document must be handed in to the instructor. The portfolio should provide a thorough exploration of the topic. The portfolio must include annotated copies of informative articles from current literature and practices, useful data obtained from interviews with practicing administrators and/or other knowledgeable individuals, copies of documents from the field and other sources, and a summary of the most important findings and/or conclusion from the project. Grading of the portfolio will be based on relevance of the findings, on the quantity, variety and quality of sources. The portfolio is due November 10th. POSSIBLE TOPICS for the portfolio and presentation: NO topic may be duplicated! Discuss the management of cash flow, including the timing of borrowing and investments with a school district finance officer. What opportunities exist for school level decisions to borrow and invest funds? Investigate and research insurance for schools: Health, injury, personal, liability insurance, risk management insurance, workmen s comp. etc. within your school district. Amount of coverage, how is it obtained (process/procedures for claims), benefits, how it is reviewed, etc.

3 School audits why do the audits, benefits, what administrative responsibilities are attached to the finalized audit and how should the audits findings be discussed and communicated to the stakeholders. How does a district select an auditor? What are the legal issues with audits? Compare business management policies from district to district. Include investing policies and procedures, budget reporting, budget committees, collection of fees, handling of money, etc. Include the policies, procedures in the portfolio and recommendations for a final policy. How are the policies reviewed, written, etc? In what ways do state-imposed limits on borrowing and investments strengthen financial management practices? In what ways do these limitation reduce the flexibility that districts need in order to maximize the benefits of these cash flow strategies. Determine how extensively business partnerships are involved in a given school district. Are they recommended, do they serve a purpose? Does conflict of interest become an issue? Comparison of private schools with a public school system, and their acceptance of private dollars. Investigate the restrictions that state policies place on charging fees for required courses, elective offerings, and extra-curricular activities in your state. IF fees are permitted, determine the extent to which students pay fees to support various school programs and activities in several districts that differ by size and wealth. Investigate the primary state-level taxes that support schools in a selected state. Indicate what proportion of revenue is derived from each of the following tax sources: personal income, corporate income, excise, sales, lottery, severance, inheritance and other taxes. What modifications might you suggest to make this state s revenue system more responsive to tax criteria of yield, equity, neutrality, elasticity and administrative burden? Design an instrument to survey residents or policy makers of your community or state to determine their preference for reform in tax policy in the coming decade. Research the history of tax initiatives for school funding at your local level and the state level. Other as approved by instructor GRADING: Grade Composition: Readings, Assignments & Participation: 50 points A = 93% and above Final Paper: 50 points B = 88% % Portfolio and Presentation: 75 points C = 83% % Total Possible: 175 points D = 77% % Below 77% - Failing TEXTBOOKS/MATERIALS: NO Textbook is required. Some reading materials will be given at the beginning of the class. Supplementary textbooks: Alexander, K., & Salmon, R.G. (1995). Public School Finance. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Brimley, Vern, Jr., & Garfield, Rulon, R. (2002). Financing education in a climate of change (8 th edition). Newton, MA: Allyn and Bacon King, Richard, Swanson, Austin and Sweetland, Scott. School Finance: Achieving High Standards with Equity and Efficiency. (2003) Allyn and Bacon. Odden, A. R., & Picus, L.O. (2000). 2 nd Edition, School Finance: A Policy Perspective. New York: McGraw-Hill. Swanson, A.D., & King, R.A. (1991). School Finance: Its Economics and Politics. New York: Longman.

4 Thompson, David C. & Wood, Craig r. Money and Schools: A handbook for Practioners. Eye on Education Supplementary Materials: NDSDFARM (North Dakota School District Financial and Reporting Manual) on DPI website ND School Finance Facts (on DPI website) Website Resources: Tentative Course Outline Dates Sept. 28 & 29 Topics/Assignments Introduction and Overview Economics of School finance: Public Funds Basic Funding Structures Administering the School Budget- site based leadership Accounting: Framework for the budget process/planning Review of budget process Budget development Budget adoption and reporting (federal/state requirements) Budget adjustment and analysis Audits Issues and concerns in school business management Politics in school financing Equity issues Legal liability Cash management and investments Guest speakers November 9 & 10 Review topics from Sept. 28 & 29 Presentations Guest speakers Business office & manager functions / responsibilities Property, Risk Management and Insurance Purchasing Insurance / Coverage Risk management Financing facilities budgeting for capital outlay, maintenance and operations Bonding Compensation/salary schedules/benefits finances for personnel Future trends in school funding Potpourri - Student request/interests Course evaluation Wrap-up The instructor reserves the right to revise the course outline as needed to allow more or less time for specific subjects, to add topics upon expression of interest by class participants or to otherwise adjust the schedule to meet the mutually accepted needs of the instructor and the participants

5 Activities and skills designed to meet NCATE standards and for EDL 526 Business Management Decision-making: Students must provide a budget analysis, which includes a critique of the budget process, including responsibilities for decision making In-basket activity where students will be assigned a position (superintendent, principal, board member, department chair, etc.) and work in a group to develop a budget for a school year involving decisionmaking, relationships, and finance management and allocation. Performance Assessments: Students will provide via a demonstration/exam how a school district is funded Develop appropriate procedures and relationships for working with local governing boards including a business manager Plan and schedule educational resources to meet financial objectives of a budget Identify and analyze the major sources of school fiscal and non-fiscal resources Make decisions regarding the development of a budget with demonstration of leadership and decisionmaking Finance Management and Resource Allocation Students will identify and analyze the major sources of fiscal and non-fiscal resources for educational institutions Students will develop an efficient budget planning process that is driven by institutional priorities and involves staff and community Students will understand budget management functions including financial planning, monitoring, cost control, expenditures, accounting and cash flow management Management and use of information systems: Students are required to review management and use of accounting systems and planning which are integrated with the budget analysis and budget review Professional and Ethical Leadership: Students will address how to initiate, manage and evaluate the change process with finance issues in a school district Students will manifest a professional code of ethics and values Information Management and Evaluation: Students are required to analyze and interpret educational financial data, issues, and trends for boards, communities and others Organizational Management: Students, within their project and/or presentations, will: Establish operational plans and processes to accomplish strategic goals regarding his/her selected topic Technology and Information Systems: Students will use technology, telecommunications and information systems to enhance report generating of financial information Community and Media relations: Students will develop a plan on how to communicate effectively the budget and finance issues with the board, community, faculty, and others Develop appropriate procedures and relationships for working with local governing boards Education Law, Public Policy and Political Systems: Students will: Apply knowledge of federal and state constitutional, statutory and regulatory provisions Apply knowledge of common law and contractual requirements and procedures Develop strategies for influencing policy development regarding finances Make decisions based on the moral and ethical implications of policy options and political strategies

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