The Superintendent and the CFO: Building an Effective Team

by Brian L. Benzel, Kenneth E. Hoover

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475820447
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/09/2015
Pages:	148
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

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 State’s 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 Governor’s 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.

Table of Contents

Foreword Preface Introduction Acknowledgements Part I: Leading the Business of Learning Chapter 1 Student Achievement is Paramount Chapter 2 Values Trump Skills Chapter 3 Create the Climate Chapter 4 Collaborate for Success Chapter 5 Build Systems Strength Part II: Managing the Business of Learning Chapter 6 Manage Uncertainty Chapter 7 Know Your Status Chapter 8 Cash is King Chapter 9 Benchmark for Improvement Chapter 10 Consistent Communication Part III: Bringing it all Together Chapter 11 Knowing What To Do and When To Do It Bibliography Glossary of Fiscal Terms About the Authors

Editorial Reviews

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

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

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

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

A budget is a moral document that truly states the core values of a school system and broader community. The work between the superintendent and CFO is critical in ensuring a school system is meeting the needs of ALL students. This book details how to strengthen the relationship and build a shared vision.

Gustavo Balderas

The relationship between the superintendent and the CFO is the north star that positively impacts outcomes for the students they serve. Benzel and Hoover’s book powerfully examines this critical partnership and offers valuable guidance to these district leaders as they navigate both the technical and adaptive challenges in their roles.

Stephen Zrike

Trust is key to every relationship, and superintendents and CF's are no exception. Benzel and Hoover lay the groundwork for achieving trust and deliver crucial lessons in how to turn that trust into the foundation for successful school systems that support student learning and achievement.

Susan Enfield