Leadership Badge #03 - The Role of the Business Manager-Badge #L-03 - The Role of the Business Manger

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Lisa Sutton, a K–12 school district business manager with 12 years of experience, introduces Badge L03 on the role of the business manager. The on-demand course supports both new and experienced leaders and covers compliance, reporting, audits, budgeting, navigating financial change, and leadership. Objectives include understanding evolving responsibilities, adapting to district size/structure, identifying key reports and systems, improving organization and compliance, and using professional networks and resources (especially WASBO).<br /><br />She outlines core duties by timeframe. Daily work includes responsive problem-solving, supervising business operations, and ensuring transparency and accountability to staff, students, taxpayers, and the community. Monthly responsibilities focus on budget-to-actual monitoring, fund balance and cash flow oversight, enrollment tracking (e.g., P-223 and special education counts), grant management (carryover rules, indirects, minimum expenditures), and presenting a monthly budget status report to the board as required by WAC 392-123-115. Annual tasks include budget development (F-195), four-year projections (F-185F), potential budget extensions (F-200), year-end reporting and reconciliation (F-196), audit preparation (including CEFA and single audit thresholds), and supporting labor negotiations.<br /><br />Sutton emphasizes key relationships (superintendent, board, principals, unions, community), the post-COVID challenges of declining enrollment and rising costs, and the importance of networking, process improvement, and work-life balance. A final assessment (80% required) completes the badge.

Keywords

K–12 school district business manager

school finance compliance and reporting

budget development F-195 and projections F-185F

monthly budget status report WAC 392-123-115

enrollment tracking P-223 and special education counts

audit preparation CEFA and single audit

WASBO professional networking and resources