Leading at the Crossroads of Change

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:00:00 -0500

“It’s not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.” W. Edwards Deming

The 2010 MSBO conference is now history! Hopefully you were able to participate in this excellent event, take away some new tools and ideas, re-connect with old friends and make room for new ones, relax, rejuvenate and have a little fun! As I made my way through the conference, attending various sessions and events, I couldn’t help but notice that as the economic and demographic challenges of our state, country, and world escalate…the conversations of MSBO members are changing accordingly.

In education, we are in a war of sorts – we find ourselves on the battlefield almost daily. Our cause is public education – the right of every child in America to a free, quality public education. The point of our struggle can’t be just to survive, but to leave a legacy by building a system that makes such a distinct impact on the lives of the children it touches, and does so with such superior performance, that it would leave an unfillable void if it ceased to exist.

As educational leaders, we must have faith that we will prevail, while resolving to take whatever measures necessary, however painful, for the sake of our cause. So be willing to change tactics, but don’t give up on your core purpose. Embrace new ideas and strategies, listening carefully to younger MSBO members who offer fresh, new (and typically tech-savvy) perspectives. Consider forming non-traditional partnerships with businesses, governmental units or even with other school districts that may have served as competitors in the past. Challenge the status-quo when it benefits the adults employed at the expense of the students we serve. Accept compromise, and when necessary be willing to close operations and programs that you helped build, but never give up on the idea of building a great educational system.

At Tuesday’s pre-conference session for business managers, John Cape of PFM Asset Management spoke about his work in many states assisting failing districts. He said that, “Real changes are coming in public education and because of Michigan’s economic problems – I think you’re going to lead the way.” I agree with Mr. Nadol. We must welcome the inevitability of change, but never give up the opportunity to be a part of creating education’s future.

The stakes are high for public education. As a school leader, whatever your specific area of influence, challenge yourself with this question, “Do I operate with an on-going sense of urgency and acknowledge that I have to be willing to change in order for public education to move forward?” I continue to be impressed by the courage, creativity, commitment and energy demonstrated by you, my fellow MSBO members, as you tackle new challenges and change old paradigms. Your unfaltering determination inspired the theme I selected for my board presidency year with MSBO - Leading at the Crossroads of Change. I hope you’ll take a few moments to view the embedded video (volume up!), and allow yourself to feel good about your personal efforts, as well as those of your colleagues, to uphold our “cause” despite these trying times. Because it really is “all about the kids”, and “together we can” successfully lead at a “crossroads of change”.

Thank You

Change comes every year to MSBO as new board members begin their service term and senior members roll off. To Rob Burgess, who leaves our board this year, your capacity to care is amazing, and your approach is a uniquely kind and heart-felt one. You are a top-notch school business official, and one of the most genuine people I’ve had the good fortune to know.

And to Mike Adamczyk, I wish you well as you begin a new phase of your career, and I thank you for your commitment and willingness to lend your expertise and leadership to MSBO as our immediate past president albeit the logistic challenge! You are one of school business management’s brightest and best, and while your talent will be put to great use for the benefit of Illinois children, it’s a huge loss for Michigan schools as you say goodbye.

To you both, I’ll miss your leadership, your steady guidance, your failed efforts to prevent me from spilling things while on the dais, and, of course, your never-ending humor. I respect you both tremendously as colleagues, and I am blessed to count you as my friends.

View Darcie's Powerpoint presentation and audio. (Save them both to your desktop)

What Will the Future Hold?

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:00:00 -0500

As I write this column, the entire public education community is reading about, talking about, and asking many questions about what the new retirement reform legislation that was recently passed in Lansing is all about. Hopefully by the time our newsletter is published many of our questions will be answered. The future of many public school employees will certainly change with this new legislation (assuming it is signed by the Governor), and many are wondering what the future will hold for them.

I do know one thing that won’t change, and that is the challenges that we will continue to face as school business officials. I don’t think any of us believe that the new retirement reform legislation will solve all the school funding issues that we have been facing for the last ten years. In fact, it may even create more funding problems in the near future. The analysis I have read indicates that the bill creates both substantial costs and savings, all of which would be local and would be experienced by the employers. The increase in the retirement multiplier and the 80 and out is estimated to cost $2.2 billion at a 50% participation rate. This would be offset by an estimated $1.7 billion in savings from replacing fewer employees and the savings realized by replacing hired paid veteran employees with lower paid, less experienced employees. Therefore, the net cost of incentive is estimated to cost $500 million over ten years.

The estimated savings from the required 3% employee contribution toward retirement health care would be $300 million in year one with possible total of $3.5 billion over 10 years. However, this would create savings to districts only if the increased employee contributions are used to reduce the employer contribution rate. Otherwise, the retirement rate will remain at the 19.41% level for next year. All together, net savings have been projected to be as high as $3.15 billion over the next 10 years. So, what does this mean for each of our individual districts for the next school year and beyond?

Obviously, no one is able to answer that question. We will undoubtedly be called upon as business officials to explain and interpret the new legislation and its effects. We also need to remain diligent in our planning. I would like to reference a couple of quotes from President Harry Truman, whom I also referenced when I addressed the conference as MSBO President last year. I always get inspiration when I read quotes from great people like Harry Truman. Mr. Truman said, “you can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one. I don't believe in little plans. I believe in plans big enough to meet a situation which we can't possibly foresee now.” We can’t possibly foresee what school finance and our budget will look like in the next five to ten years, but we need to plan now and be ready to amend it, not once but many times.

Mr. Truman also said, “A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.” Let us remember to be optimists. Yes, times will continue to be difficult, but we need to remain optimistic about the future. We need to be the positive influence and to encourage others.

A final Harry Truman quote that I think is fitting for today is as follows: “Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” I believe our legislature acted courageously by enacting legislation that has the potential to save as much as $3.15 billion over the next ten years, which translates into increased educational opportunities for Michigan’s children. We also need to seize the opportunities when we can and change things for the better.

May/June 2010 MSBO Update

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 11:00:00 -0500

MSBO’s Executive Director David Martell and Associate Executive Director Bob Dwan discuss the recent Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, retirement legislation as well as other school funding issues in this month’s video column.

Part I

Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference from MSBO on Vimeo.

Part II

Retirement Legislation Package Discussion from MSBO on Vimeo.

Part III

MSBO Round Up from MSBO on Vimeo.

Meet the 2010-2011 MSBO Board of Directors

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 10:00:00 -0500

Darcie Birkett, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services of Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, was installed as the 73rd MSBO President at the MSBO Annual Conference.

Once again, MSBO teamed up with ASBO to use their online voting system. The total votes cast were 681. The online voting system permitted all active members to vote.

MSBO President-Elect, Jeff Crouse, Chief Financial Officer, Charlevoix-Emmet ISD was elected. Three candidates were nominated to run for one, open 3-year term. MSBO members elected Tamera Powers, Business Manager of Tri County Area Schools. Ken Simon, Facilities Manager of Ingham ISD and Thomas S. Wall, Asst. Supt of Administrative Services of Saline Area Schools rounded out the ballot.

A big thank you to all candidates for their willingness to serve their fellow members and the school children of our state.

The Food Evolution–Michigan Schools Leading the Way!

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:00:00 -0500

There is a national interest in healthy eating - particularly in schools. Parents are bombarded with this message and they inevitably look to their schools to see if their kids are getting the correct nutrition.

Does your program measure up? Chances are it already does. Chances are too, that there may be items on your menu or in your cafeteria that could be improved upon as well.

Do you feel pressure to defend your food program from a nutritional perspective? How do you respond to public outcry about child nutrition? As school meal operators, your day is consumed with logistical concerns of the operation often overshadowing the need for marketing your program and addressing the perceptions (and misperceptions) of your department.

Come to this workshop to learn how to ensure that your program is in fact providing the right nutritional content, while still providing tasty and popular food. You’ll learn menu development that encompasses the correct standards in a cost effective and easy manner.

You’ll also learn how to ensure the message gets out about the quality of your food program, along with joining the revolution to lead our children down the healthy choice path.

When: June 2, 2010 • 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Cost: $75

Location: MSBO 1001 Centennial Way, Suite 200 Lansing, MI 48917

Register online.

Register by fax.

These Two Annual Workshops Get You Up To Speed

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 08:00:00 -0500

Financial Statement Preparation Workshop and Business Manager/CPA Workshop
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8 & 9, 2010 • Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center • East Lansing, MI

Business Manager/CPA Workshop
Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Here we go again…another audit season, and with it comes the annual MSBO Business Manager/CPA Workshop. There’s no better way to close your books and prepare for your audit than attending this workshop and hearing directly from department representatives and practicing auditors regarding the latest “hot topics” of this year’s audit.

Again this year, we have Michigan Department of Education officials scheduled to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and the accounting implications for schools. This is a discussion you can’t afford to miss!

View the agenda/Register by fax.

Financial Statement Preparation Workshop
Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Still receiving the management letter comment of not having the ability to write your financial statements? Maybe you just need a refresher. Don’t put off registering for this one-day workshop, which will give you the tools you need to understand financial statement preparation. Practicing auditors will walk you through the statements and explain the fundamentals preparing your own documents for year-end.

Please note that the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center has accommodations available on June 8 for early arrivals. Please contact them at 1-800-875-5090 for reservations and be sure to mention MSBO. It is past the deadline for the special rate, which expired on May 15, but you can still make reservations.

For additional information about these two workshops, contact Robert Dwan at 517-327-2581 or email rdwan@msbo.org for details.

Spotlight on 2010 MSBO Award Winners

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:00:00 -0500

The following individuals and school districts were honored at MSBO’s 72nd Annual Conference in April. Beginning with our September issue of MSBO eNews & Views, we will provide in-depth articles on this year’s Meridian Award of Excellence recipients’ programs.

MSBO Meridian Award of Excellence
This special recognition award acknowledges successful practices in all areas of school management and education. Award winners will be presented a crystal award and a monetary donation to their district’s student scholarship fund as part of their recognition.

MSBO recognized five school districts this year. Award winners include Wayne-Westland Community Schools for their I-SAVE program – Individuals Save And Vie For Energy Efficiency and Greenville Public Schools for their energy program. Three honorable mention award winners include Belding Area Schools for their “Free Breakfast for All” program, Wayland Union Schools for their “Recycling as an Educational Tool” program, and the Dexter Community Schools Business Office for their program, “Disposal of Obsolete Property: Reaching Out to Our Local Constituents.”

Friend of Education
This special award honors individuals who are not members of MSBO and yet, have been dedicated to serving the best interests of education and students. This year, MSBO honored Dr. Charles Ballard, Professor of Economics at Michigan State University. Dr. Ballard was selected because of his tireless efforts to get the word out on the economic realities facing Michigan and the need to restructure financing for public education. He has brought a unique voice to this issue through his passion and style.

MSBO Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is one of the highest honors MSBO presents. It is given to an MSBO member who provides exemplary and inspirational service to MSBO and the school business management community. This year’s recipient is Art Bolt from Hudsonville Public Schools.

Art has served as Assistant Superintendent of Business for the past 25 years, which has resulted in his being a key steward of the district. It is said that Art realizes the importance of allocating necessary resources directly into the classroom. Art’s peers describe him as a competent and reliable professional who has consistently delivered results. More importantly, they praise him for his honest and direct approach to challenging and complex issues and as a person who can be relied on to deal with tough issues confronting school districts today.

School Business Official of the Year (SBOY)
Rick Terres from Howell Public Schools is this year’s SBOY recipient. As MSBO School Business Official of the Year, Rick will receive a $1,500 professional development scholarship to attend the ASBO International Annual Meeting, which will be held in Orlando, Florida this September and he will also be nominated for ASBO’s Eagle Award.

Using the words of his nominators, “the area that sets Rick apart has to be his innovation in developing partnerships between community organizations, businesses and schools.”
“Some long-term administrators seem to fade on the job. Not so with Rick! In recent years, he has become even more active. He also trains school board members and others in school finance, making a complicated issue accessible.”

President’s Award
Thomas Goodwin, Chief Financial Officer at Grand Ledge Public Schools, this year’s President’s Award recipient, was chosen because of his support of public education in Michigan and his diligent efforts to get the word out on the need for financial support of education to various groups, including legislators, through the establishment of The Practitioner’s Summit. Tom has recruited a cross section of individuals from around the state, working hard to keep the focus on the funding problems in the State of Michigan and advancing ideas on how to solve the current issues facing schools.

Congratulations everyone!

MSBO Members in the News

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Share Your Good News! We love to hear from you, and want to share
your stories with the rest of the MSBO community.

ASBO Membership
Congratulations to Sandra Motz, RSBA, assistant superintendent of business services at Walled Lake (MI) CSD. This month, Sandra is celebrating 20 years of membership. Congratulations to all ASBO International members celebrating milestone membership anniversaries in April.

– ASBO Accents Online E-Newsletter, 4.1.10

Gubernatorial Appoints
Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced the following appointments to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board: Timothy Raymer, of Grand Rapids, assistant superintendent for finance and operations for Forest Hills Public Schools, was appointed to represent a school finance or operations manager who is not a superintendent for a term expiring March 30, 2012 succeeding Richard Montcalm who has resigned.

– MIRS Capitol Capsule, 5.18.10

Chairing Finance Event
Cheryl Wald, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Howell Public Schools, and a resident of Okemos has recently been selected to serve as an honorary chair of the recent eighth annual Michigan Women in Finance Conference. The selection of honorary chairs by the organization recognizes women that the organization wants to honor for their accomplishments across the areas of healthcare, K-12 education, municipal, not profit, higher education and state issues.

– Towne Courier, 5.2.10

Please send the items you are aware of to Nancy Hawkins at nhawkins@msbo.org.

ASBO International Celebrates 100 Years

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:00:00 -0500

While zoot suits, beehives, and pet rocks have fizzled, ASBO stands the test of time.  Join ASBO as they look back on the decades and build the future of sustainable education funding. Leave your legacy for the school business officials who will follow us, for the students who need us.

Priceless Inspiration, Ideas, and Support

At the 2010 ASBO International Annual Meeting, you’ll find the tools to support the people who depend on you.

Design your own professional development around your budget concerns, green practices, or specific district needs.
Build relationships with leaders and supportive vendors who can help you improve your district.
Participate in the renowned Disney Institute, a program that has inspired millions with innovative business expertise.
Take part in the Second Annual ASBO International Positive Impact Program.

Registration is open now for ASBO International's 2010 Annual Meeting, Sept. 24-27, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. For more information and to register, log onto ASBO International.

2010 SET SEG Fun Run - Ready, SET SEG Go!

Admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 04:00:00 -0500

The conditions were perfect: cool, no rain and beautiful downtown Grand Rapids. Sixty-four runners and walkers enjoyed this year’s SET SEG 19th Annual Fun Run and Walk held at MSBO’s 72nd Annual Conference. It was the highest turnout since 2004 and once again some previous winners crossed the finish line first.

Winners

Closest Prediction (No time pieces allowed) – 1 mile: Donna Korzeniewski, Manistee ISD Predicted: 16:33 Actual: 16:33

Closest Prediction (No time pieces allowed) – 5K: Mike Keast, Ionia County ISD  Predicted: 44:00 Actual: 44:17 • Won the 1-mile Prediction in 2000

5K Fastest Female (Time: 25:16): Cheryl Porter, Lapeer County ISD (won three previously) and Glenda Rader, Michigan Department of Education (won four previously)

5K Fastest Male (Time: 17:30 – Fastest time ever and first-time winner):  John Strycker, New Lothrop

Congratulations everyone! As we all know, everyone who participated is a winner in the game of health.