3 minute read
Better Schools Summer 2025
from Better Schools Summer 2025
by CCOSA
CFO Leadership Academy!
Attention, K-12 Principals and Central Office leaders, a CFO Leadership Academy is coming your way! At the request of school finance leaders, CCOSA is excited to partner with the Oklahoma Association of School Business Officials (OKASBO) to bring this exciting new program, CFO Leadership Academy, to Oklahoma school leaders who may have an interest in learning the role of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in a public school district. “With over ten CFOs leaving in the past five years, it is difficult to find qualified people who know and understand schools and their budget processes, financial planning, compliance, revenue management, and strategic financial leadership,” said Dr. Cordell Ehrich, CFO for Deer Creek Schools.
Program overview: This year-long program is designed to equip targeted school leaders (as defined below) with skills to help them learn the business side of public school finance. During the year, participants will meet in person two or three times with additional virtual meeting dates and touchpoints for the group at the CCOSA and OKASBO conferences.
Who is the target audience? Principals, Assistant Principals, and Central Office leaders in 5A and 6A districts as defined by the OSSAA basketball guidelines for district size. Applicants will need the approval of their Superintendent or supervisor to participate.
Who will lead the sessions? Participants will learn from current practicing CFOs, CCOSA, OKASBO, and other school finance experts in the state.
How to participate? Based on an application process, the program is designed to create a small group of emerging CFOs who will be prepared to step into the CFO role with the assistance of career CFOs, their fellow cohort participants, CCOSA, and OKASBO. The goal for the first class will be between 10 and 15 participants. Apply for the CFO Leadership Academy HERE on or before September 5, 2025.
What is the cost? The cost for the program is $500 to cover presenter costs, food, supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses. Twenty-five dollars ($25) will go toward an OKASBO membership for the current year.
PROPOSED MEETING DATES:
September 23, 2025: CCOSA Office in Oklahoma City
November 4, 2025: Virtual
January 20, 2026: CCOSA Office
March 10, 2026: Virtual
April 22-23, 2026: OKASBO Conference in Oklahoma City
May 28-29, 2026: CCOSA Conference in Oklahoma City
COURSE SCHEDULE AND TOPICS (proposed):
Introduction to School Finance and the Role of a CFO
State and Federal Funding Sources
Budget Development and Management
Bond Funds and Capital Projects
Payroll, Compensation, and Benefits
Revenue Generation and Alternative Funding
School Finance Law and Compliance
Purchasing, Procurement, and Vendor Contracts
Data-Driven Financial Decision-making
Preparing for Financial Audits and Accountability
Crisis Management and Financial Leadership
Capstone Project and Panel Discussion With CFOs
We hope you will consider this program as we work to build a cadre of well-trained school financial officers in the state. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director, at deering@ccosa.org, Amanda Burchfield, OKASBO Executive Director, at info@okasbo.org or Dr. Cordell Ehrich, CFO, Deer Creek Schools at cordellehrich@dcsok.org.
You may also call the CCOSA office at (405) 524-1191 or the OKASBO office at (405) 237-8306.
