Magnum Trainings: Fiscal Workshop
Strategic Purchasing (online)
Schedule, Registration, and Payment [HERE]
One 3-hour session, via ZOOM, interactive, audio and video ON
This is an advanced issues online workshop, with an emphasis on fiscal strategies and structural options to analyze and manage expenditures through good purchasing decisions…. We recognize the increased pressure to control costs through examination of purchasing policies, contractual arrangements, and reflection on every expenditure.
Audience
This online workshop is for Purchasing Agents and every administrator overseeing a building, program, and/or district budget -Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, School Business Officials, Building Administrators, Program Administrators, and other leaders. Districts may want leadership teams to participate.
About This Workshop
With increased federal funding available to meet the growing needs of our students, school districts are looking to expend these funds in a fiscally prudent way. This workshop will help school administrators at both the district and building levels proactively address purchasing through the lens of policies, best practices, and the desire to maximize expenditures to best meet the needs of their students. This workshop will include specific in-basket activities to help participants practice learning of skills and strategies as related to purchasing.
Workshop Topics
> Focus and Background
> Importance of Positions and Functions
> Legal Aspects – necessary vs. nice
> Key Findings – Audits
> Purchasing and School/District Culture
> Purchasing and the Budget Calendar
> Areas of Concern
> Best Practices
> Resources
Suzanne McLeod, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools (retired) and Assistant Professor
Dr. Suzanne McLeod served as Superintendent of the Union Endicott Central Schools for eleven years (2008-2019). Immediately prior to her superintendency, Suzanne served as an Assistant Superintendent for Business, and again prior, as a Curriculum Director. These administrative experiences provided her with insights into special education program budgeting and the cost control strategies available to decision makers. Combining her observations and discussions with fellow superintendents and business officials, she has formulated strategies to address the fiscal challenges of special education. During these difficult budgeting times these strategies are of high value to special education program managers.
Dr. McLeod is currently an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program at Bingham University (SUNY). In her career Suzanne has taught a variety of subjects and different grade levels in both elementary and secondary schools in Michigan, Massachusetts, and New York. Her college teaching includes education courses at Hofstra University, Broome Community College, SUNY Oswego, and Binghamton University. Dr. McLeod has authored professional articles on trust, home schooling, and bullying. She wrote A Principal’s Guide to No Child Left Behind, and teaches workshops to aspiring leaders.
Kathryn Blackman, CPA, Central Business Office Controller
Kathryn Blackman has 35 years’ experience in New York public school finance. She is currently the Controller of the Broome Tioga BOCES Central Business Office (2013 to present), Immediately prior to her Controller position Kathryn worked 19 years as the School Business Official in Chenango Forks Central Schools (1995-2013), and again prior, ten years as an external auditor. The BOCES CBO oversees the finances of 14 component school districts. This unique background and perspective has given her insights how different districts structure special education budgets and cost control special education programs for savings.
Ms. Blackman is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership Program at SUNY Binghamton. Ms. Blackman presents fiscal issues and considerations to regional Boards of Education. She regularly conducts training sessions for administrators on school finance, expenditure control, program budgeting.
Administrator
Dr. Jim Merrins is Executive Program Administrator of Educational Support Services. He administers numerous statewide fiscal workshops for superintendents and experienced school administrators, including Fiscal Navigation for Superintendents, The School District Negotiator,and Claims Auditor Training. Jim has more than 40 years experience in school administration, including 16 years as a Superintendent in Fredonia and Honeoye, New York. Dr. Merrins is NYS certified as a School District Administrator and School Business Administrator. Dr. Merrins taught school finance and school law at SUNY colleges for several years.
Costs
The cost of this workshop is $195 for the first participant, plus $175 for the second participant, plus $155 each for the third and subsequent participants from the same school district or firm.
Materials
Each workshop participant will receive workshop-related materials.
Hosted and administered by ESS
James M. Merrins, Ed.D., Executive Program Administrator
ESS Policies, Terms, and Conditions [HERE]
Method of Payment Information
Registration Information
Cancellation Policy
Contact James Merrins, Ed.D.
Comments, corrections, source documents, and questions welcome
Educational Support Services
42 Rosalyn Court, Fredonia, New York 14063
(716) 672-5473, FAX (716) 672-5472, jmerrins@cecomet.net