Academic Leaders Webinar: What Academic Leaders Need to Know About Business and Operations
Channel: One Schoolhouse
Date: 02/12/2021

At our December 1 Academic Leaders Webinar, Brad welcomed James Palmieri, Ed.D., Executive Vice President of NBOA, for a conversation on what Academic Leaders need to know about school finances post-COVID. 

On Our Blog: "Finance and Operations for Everyone" https://www.oneschoolhouse.org/learning-innovation-blog/what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-school-finances

Nine Takeaways from James on Partnerships Between Academic Leaders and Business Officers: 
1) First and foremost, partnering and breaking down silos.
2) Sit on the same side of the table as partners; keep challenges and opportunities on the other side.
3) Welcome budget constraints as drivers of innovation. 
4) Develop an awareness and appreciation for each other’s leadership and communication style, perhaps by using tool like the DISC assessment.
5) Business leaders need to bring financial statements to life. Review them together regularly, establish that as rhythm. Think of it not just as fiduciary reporting, but as a jumping off point to merge perspectives, build trust, combine knowledge, and create something better.
6) Academic leaders need to have comfort in knowing that the business office numbers can be trusted. 
7) Involve business officers in school activities. Coach a team, go to plays, teach math to fourth graders, or read books to kindergarteners. 
8) Academic leaders should learn basic budgeting principles to better understand the basis for business officers’ approaches.
9) Last but not least, use data-driven decision making, together.