Successful Schools Start Here
Your Holistic Partner for K-12 Operations Support
Our School of Thought
We believe in the power of a successful, equitable learning journey for every student. Our operations expertise keeps districts running smoothly so you can focus on what matters most.
Partnering with school communities of all sizes to offer customized consulting, project management, and staffing support, we help leaders like you optimize daily operations and implement long-term success.
Your Schools. Our Expertise. Their Success.
All Of Your Operations - Covered.
Transportation
Ensuring access to school safely, efficiently, and on time.
Finance
Maximizing all of your resources for a sustainable future.
Human Resources
Supporting staff so they can show up at their best for students.
Technology
Connecting school communities with safe, reliable tools.
Facilities
Creating and maintaining spaces for education, athletics, and activities.
Nutrition
Fueling student success through comprehensive school meal programs.
Communications
Building support for your schools through community engagement.
Transportation Solutions
Keep student wellbeing at the forefront and put dollars back in the classroom. With decades of experience in strategy, operations, and routing we can support your schools getting from Point A to Z.
Transportation Operations Assessment
The Best Starting Point to Improve Your Program
Fully understanding the efficiency and effectiveness of your transportation program's current operations is key to developing an improvement plan We have an assessment for your programno matter its size or complexity - and partner with your leadership team to drive measurable change
Transportation Technology Integration
Pick Up Where Implementation Leaves Off
Shift your focus from simply using transportation technology to gaining value from it by integrating it throughout operations. We can optimize your current investment in technology through an assessment, reimplementation, and integration or bring our recommended platforms with us for higher quality service
End-to-End Bundled Transportation Services
Explore a New Route for Transportation
Support
Leverage a single partner to provide what you need when you need it with cost-effective and simplified solutions Our transportation service suite provides access to one-time consulting advice and a ready-made transportation management team for routing, customer service, and analytics
Transportation Staffing Optimization
Strategic Solutions to Improve Performance
Ongoing success depends on the availability, experience, skills, and commitment of high quality transportation staff. Working closely with our HR experts, we can help with driver recruitment and retention programs, organizational structure and design, staff training and development programs, and executive search
1 2 3 4 5
Routing Support
Combining the Art & Science of Transportation Routing
We work at the intersection of data optimization, people-based route development skills, and local expertise to help you with a one-time redesign, running optimization scenarios, or providing regular ongoing support for your routing team
Fleet Management
Confidently Get Students from Point A to Z
A safe, reliable fleet is at the core of every successful transportation program, but managing fleets can be challenging. Our fleet-focused services can help your district identify the most efficient and effective mix of vehicles, determine the optimal fleet size, plan for replacement needs, properly staff and equip a maintenance program, and ensure full integration with data and technology platforms.
Bell Schedule Planning Expertise for Policy Change Complexities
Nothing has a more immediate impact on transportation efficiency than bell schedules, and CESO understands how important optimal school start times are for students, caregivers, and staff We have helped districts large and small navigate the challenges and arrive at solutions that enhance student success while minimizing transportation costs
Contractor Performance Support
Ensuring Your Transportation Contracts Drive Value
If you have hired a vendor to operate your routes, we can help ensure you have a successful partnership by managing a Request for Proposal process, designing a Performance Management program, supporting vendor negotiations, or serving as your contract manager
Transportation Staffing Services
Short-Term & Long-Term Staffing Support When You Need It Most
From data analytics to school board communications, route planning, and customer care, CESO has the resources you need. Our staffing services are available to close short-term gaps or fill long-term placements with a team that has the breadth and depth of experience to support every area of your program across customer care, route design and maintenance, contractor management, leadership, and technology
6 7 8 9 10
Change Management Support Help Drive Positive Change
CESO has assisted with some of the largest, most complex school transportation improvement initiatives. We recognize that change is always difficult, even positive change. We can work with you and your team to design an achievable plan for change, navigate the complexities, and keep the plan on track.
Finance Solutions
Where finance meets focus: our seasoned team of finance experts brings years of public and private experience to the school space for customized plans to suit your district’s needs. Whether it’s a full-service approach or consultation on a specific project, we’ll bring you a better bottom line.
Finance Business Operations Assessment
Designed to help better understand your effectiveness across the critical components of a healthy business office including Purchasing & Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Accounting, Reporting & Compliance, Talent Development, and Proactive Practices. After interviewing your team, we rate each category on a scale of 1-4 and then provide a report with key findings and recommendations prioritized as Do Now, Do Soon, Do Later
Finance Process Development & Documentation
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for your business office are essential for streamlined workflow and easier onboarding and cross-training, but many districts struggle to find time to create them We can develop and build complete SOP documentation for your team using your unique processes and tools for AR, AP, payroll, month-end close, vendor management, and more
Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable
Our team knows the ins and outs of accounts payable and accounts receivable so we’re able to jump in for as little or as much support as you need Leverage our team to manage credit, liabilities, invoices and reporting.
Federal Compliance Consulting
Get expert guidance on federal finance award considerations and management This program is customizable but can include: interpretation of code of federal regulations, preparation of a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, maintenance of equity calculations and other technical research 1 2 3 4
5
Payroll
Partner with our team to take on your payroll management system with end-to-end administration including a financial record of employee gross earnings, payroll deductions and net pay, and your related payroll tax liability.
6
Project Management
Let us help with projects that are important but difficult to prioritize. We take the extra stress out of the audit season by providing year-end reconciliation and audit paperwork preparation services while also providing data preparation for actuarial studies and fixed assets.
Remove the guesswork from grant accounting and reconciliation by leveraging us to create a process for managing your government grants Already have a process? We can review and provide recommendations to make it run even smoother
Business office training support can include developing all of your standard operating procedures for a streamlined workflow and easier onboarding but it can also include training on common ERP systems like Skyward, Y-Smart Finance and E-Finance Plus.
7
Staffing
Our team of K-12 finance experts are ready to tackle any role within a business office from Business Manager or Finance Director to Finance Specialist Whether needed on a short or long-term basis, we have the experience and capacity to keep districts running smoothly by managing everything from payroll to invoicing, budgeting, reporting, purchasing and more.
Human Resources Solutions
Caring for your people helps promote overall student and school success. Our team is passionate about employee experience practices that value, protect and inspire each person, and we have the expertise to assist with every aspect of K-12 human resources.
1
Assessments
Choose from multiple assessments and feel confident about your next steps forward to improve your HR practices. From an operations assessment and staffing analysis studies to district office or organizational design studies, you will receive a holistic understanding of your processes and structures Better identify if your district office's roles and organizational structures are aligned to support your strategic plan After working with our experienced team for an in-depth study of any or all of your departments, you'll understand how well your departments collaborate, learn ways to increase organizational partnership in your district and drive better results
2
Staffing
Our staffing services close short-term gaps or fill long-term placements in all areas of HR. Let us do the work for your team for everything from benefits administration, onboarding, leaves management, state reporting, contract negotiations to employee relations and employee investigations
3
Compensation Consulting
Know your district is competitive both internally and with surrounding organizations through a comparative assessment to attract and retain the best talent Our compensation and classification studies include discovery sessions with district team members, job banding and a gap analysis. We also conduct peer studies of competitors based on your unique demographics to review salary schedules, insurance benefits, leave policies and more. We then develop a plan that helps you lead the way in adopting impactful new practices and processes. Create greater internal equity, higher retention rates and better career path structures
4 5
Leadership Development & Coaching
Tackle complex issues with CESO as a sounding board. We have found that leaders are most inspired and effective when they receive real-time support, meaningful tools, and actionable plans in collaboration with a trusted partner Through Thought & Strategy Partnerships, our customized leadership development approach, you and your coach will alternate between thought and strategy work to achieve your goals Or leverage us to facilitate small and large group development workshops for key topics like problem solving, team building, and conflict resolution. With a focus on awareness, trust, communication, and implementation, help your team better understand themselves and how to most effectively engage in their roles.
Project Management
CESO can help with one-time or ongoing projects that are important (and often required) but difficult to prioritize Work with us for 1095 reporting, pay equity reporting, and more
Technology Solutions
As the need for technology grows, so does our team’s capabilities. Our approach keeps your community connected securely. Whether you're looking for us to partner with your internal team or provide total IT support, we deliver creative and effective solutions.
Technology Operations Assessment
The best place to start for a holistic understanding of your current processes and tools. Through our Technology Operations Assessment, we document your current reality and identify where you want to go next. From there, we develop a comprehensive plan that outlines and prioritizes recommended actions. We then partner with you to help operationalize your next steps.
On-Site IT Support
Get on-site IT support from CESO as often as needed Whether temporary or permanent, we can become your primary IT go-to or we can seamlessly blend with your existing tech team to handle standard IT tickets, escalated IT tickets and new user setup.
On-Call IT Support
We know that technology issues can pop up at unexpected moments That's why we offer on-call IT support options Leverage our technology experts to be available if and when anyone on your team needs support. Through remote access we can resolve nearly any day-to-day IT concern.
Cyber Security Review
We can support your risk management practices by evaluating hardware, software, policies and practices to mitigate and manage the threat of cyber intrusion 1 2 3 4
Avaya Cloud-Based Phone Systems
In addition to providing ongoing support for your existing phone system, we can also install AVAYA cloud-based phone systems in one or all of your buildings 5
6
Verkada Integrated Cloud-Based Security Systems
CESO is an authorized reselling partner for Verkada, a fully integrated cloud-based security system Seamlessly manage your security from anywhere, accelerate response times, and improve reliability while minimizing costs Through a centralized system, Verkada can also help prevent student vaping, lockdown all doors in seconds and manage your visitors without compromising student privacy
7
Low-Voltage Cabling
We can run low-voltage cabling throughout a single school or your entire district to support connections to computers, phones, WiFi access points and any other points that need to physically connect to your network Work with CESO for any of your cabling needs whether it's for a new building or an upgrade to an existing space.
8
Staffing
We provide technology staffing for both short and long-term needs. With years of experience, our team can step in to manage your IT department, resource planning and training to keep your district connected safely with the latest tools. Or, work with us for on-site or on-call IT support to keep your systems running smoothly.
Facilities Solutions
Give your community well-kept, best-sized places to gather. Partner with our experienced team for planning, budgeting and management to ensure top-notch facilities both indoors and out. We’ll bring our thinking caps and hard hats to develop customized solutions.
1
Facility Operations Assessment
Our facility operations assessment is the recommended starting place to fully understand your current processes and structures. We take into account all of your buildings and grounds to review infrastructure, electrical systems, ventilation systems, mechanical systems, security systems, amount of space related to district needs and more We then create a plan for strategic improvements
2
Budgeting
Financial planning is critical for well-kept, safe spaces for students and staff. Partner with CESO to create a buildings and grounds budget that maximizes all resources while also taking into account regular maintenance and upkeep as well as planning for any future expansions or remodels as district needs change Our team brings decades of both facilities and finance experience to the table for a holistic approach
3
5-Year & 10-Year Plans
Ensure your district has well-kept, best-sized spaces to serve its students and staff both now and in the future. Leverage CESO to develop and manage strategic plans for your buildings and grounds - whether they are 5-year, 10-year or somewhere in between. We combine data and multiple perspectives to analyze the true current and future needs of your district Then, we take into account available resources, equipment life-cycles and facility upkeep to create a sustainable, feasible plan
4
Safety & Security
In addition to providing an analysis of your current safety and security equipment, processes and structures, we can also install fully integrated cloud-based security systems and 911inform technology to keep your students and staff safer
5
Director-Level Staffing
Partner with CESO for facilities executive and director-level support for short or longterm needs With years of experience, our team can step in to manage your buildings and grounds team, resource planning, vendor management, disaster recovery planning, training, billing, budgeting, safety, expansion or remodel planning and more
6
Support Staffing
From safety and security managers to facilities coordinators, the team at CESO can provide day-to-day buildings and grounds support by managing teams, maintenance schedules, vendor contracts and more.
Nutrition Services Solutions
Students learn better when they have access to nutritious meals at school, but managing a successful program can be challenging. Our seasoned pros provide enhanced nutrition solutions that meet the needs and values of your school community while strengthening your food service operations. And when you’re ready, we can help bolster your catering services to add revenue to your bottom line. Partner with us to write the recipe for a healthy future for your students and your school meal program.
Nutrition Operations Assessment
A Nutrition Operations Assessment is the best place to start for a comprehensive understanding of your program. Available as a basic or an in-depth program review, we'll deliver insights to improve your effectiveness and efficiency with an actionable plan for improvement.
Leadership Transition Services
Successful nutrition service programs depend on strong leadership, and we can help with the recruitment and selection of a new Director. Our experienced team will review the current job description, complete a compensation analysis of similar positions in comparable districts, and provide ongoing support for new leaders to increase effectiveness If your district is transitioning from contracted nutrition services to self-operation, we can also help guide you through the process
Nutrition Program Branding
One of the best ways to strengthen district and community support for your Nutrition Services program depends on your program branding. Whether you're looking to create the branding or refresh existing branding, we'll explore the most impactful way to tell your story by incorporating the mission, vision, and values of your program
1 2 3 4
Administrative Review Preparation
Preparing for your district's annual Nutrition Services state review can be time consuming and complex. We can project manage the process by focusing on key areas including: wellness policy and programming, menu compliance, fiscal budget review, food safety protocols and procedures, special diet menus, and educational benefits administration
Project Management
We thrive on managing projects that are important but often not urgent Partner with our team for help with budgeting, reporting, purchasing, and more to ensure these critical tasks are being completed efficiently and on-time while freeing up your team to focus on other priorities.
Replacement Cycle Management
Proactive planning is key when it comes to nutrition services equipment life cycles From keeping equipment in tip-top shape with preventative maintenance schedules through replacement cycles and budgeting for those updates, CESO helps with everything from creating the plan to managing it for you.
5 6 7
Catering Program Development
Catering programs are often underutilized or overlooked within districts, but they can add revenue to your bottom line and also increase community engagement Whether you're looking to start a catering program from scratch or to fine-tune an existing one, CESO can help ensure you're leveraging your existing resources to expand your meal service offering
Communications Solutions
An engaged community supports its schools. Our team of award-winning strategists and creatives can help your people feel informed and included, using everything from enrollment marketing to social media, referendum planning, website design and more. We’re experts at telling your story in a way that meets your strategic goals, and we know how to build stakeholder support for the work you do for your students.
1
Communications Assessments
The best place to start for a holistic understanding of your current strengths and opportunities. In just three to four weeks, we review your current work and then create an approachable, customized action plan to share your district’s unique story.
Social Media
We combine our deep understanding of popular and emerging platforms with your goals to recommend the best platforms for your district We can help you develop and deploy a comprehensive social strategy to engage your community
Photography & Videography
With the ability to shoot and process both photos and video, we can build excitement and pride with current families plus show prospective families the bright and beautiful faces in your district
2 3 4
Graphic Design
Our dynamic in-house design team helps you stand out by building everything needed to help you clearly and consistently express your visual identity
5
Website Design
Your district website is one of the most used tools by your families and staff, and it needs to be so much more than a file drawer of information Let’s turn it into a marketing tool to effectively serve your district now and in the future.
Enrollment Campaigns
We approach student enrollment through both recruitment and retention strategies, organizing enrollment marketing into a strategic ongoing process. Successful campaigns include robust planning, research, coordination, cross-channel creative execution, and reporting - and CESO is here to help every step of the way.
Branding
Your brand is your backbone. It’s a set of collective agreements about who you are and how your organization shows up in the world. CESO is here to help ensure your story feels like you and is supported with strong written and visual communication.
Community Engagement
We bring diverse voices into your communications planning process to better inform decisions as we develop strategies that increase involvement and trust in your organization
Strategic Planning
Leaders make the best decisions when they’re informed and when stakeholders have a voice in the strategic process. We facilitate team meetings to discuss strategy with the goal of increasing community involvement, trust and confidence in your school district.
6 7 8 9 10
Finance Elections
We create and implement referendum information campaigns - including strategy and messaging - well before the election date, helping your residents better understand the proposals benefits to the community and feel empowered to make decisions.
11
Staffing
From director-level to specialist roles, our team of accredited school communications experts is here to help you for short-term or long-term staffing needs. Supplement your team’s resources and get comprehensive strategies to strengthen your community’s awareness and understanding of your district.
Rethink Possible.
With decades of both education and business experience, our team solves unique challenges to put more dollars back in the classroom. Our strength is the seamless integration of all operational areas combined with multiple support levels. Work with us for any - or alland get fully customized solutions aligned with your goals
37 States
250+ Districts
2.4M Students