The Superintendent and the CFO: Building an Effective Team

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Building a strong relationship with the CFO is essential for superintendents seeking to build sustainable educational programs for all students. Benzel and Hoover use their CFO and superintendent experience to identify what future leaders in both roles need to know and be able to do with respect to fiscal leadership and improved student learning. This book examines how a focus on student achievement must be central to fiscal planning. The authors discuss the role values play in forming the leadership team, how to create a climate for success through collaborative strategies. They also examine ways to build systems strength to cope with uncertainty in fiscal planning. Using this leadership base, they outline the key management elements that must be in place to assure sound fiscal practices that monitor fiscal status and manage cash flow to mitigate uncertainty. Benchmarks for organizational success enhance communication with governing boards, internal audiences and taxpayers. This book provides leaders with an outline of what do during every quarter of the fiscal year to exercise effective fiscal and educational leadership.

Reviews

Recognizing that sound fiscal policy and communication is essential for superintendents who seek to set sustainable educational programs, Brian L. Benziel and Kenneth E. Hoover examine the processes of fostering a successful management team. The book offers advice on identifying and setting values, directing the business of learning, and creating a climate for continued success. The authors also explain how to establish sound fiscal practices to manage cash flow and mitigate uncertainty, and provide a detailed outline for developing an annual budget. * District Administration *
The Superintendent and CFO is a must read for school district leadership teams. While written to inform the Superintendent and the CFO of best practices for strategically leading a school district, the emphasis on creating a team of leaders with a shared vision for the hopes, dreams and aspirations makes this a compelling read for the entire leadership team. Kudos to Brian and Ken for sharing their well earned wisdom! -- Dr. Jack Dale, retired superintendent of Fairfax County (VA) and Fredrick County (MD) Public Schools
This book by two experienced and brilliant school finance and superintendent practitioners is a must read for every school district superintendent and their finance chief. And it should probably be required reading in every education graduate school in Washington and around the country. -- Ronn Robinson, principal, Geoduck Education Consulting and former advisor to Governor Booth Gardner, State of Washington
If you are a superintendent or CFO focused on improving outcomes for all students, then this book is a must read. Being strategic regarding resource allocation is one of the greatest challenges faced by educational leaders today. Benzel and Hoover do a masterful job giving real-life suggestions based upon their many years leading school districts. -- Greg Baker, superintendent, Bellingham (WA) Public Schools
This book is a remarkable tool for collaboration toward district effectiveness, whether the superintendent or finance director is new to their role, or if they are joining to create a new team. -- Matt Handelman, superintendent, Coeur dAlene (ID) School District

Author Bio

Dr. Brian Benzel served as superintendent in Washington State for 19 years after serving as a state official and as a school district and university CFO. Benzel was Washington States Superintendent of the Year in 1993 and a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Ken Hoover began his career in the Washington State Governors budget office and then served as the CFO and senior financial official for school districts in Washington State and Colorado. He has served as a school superintendent in Washington State for 9 years.