School Money Matters: Avoiding Financial Landmines | Davida W. Mutter
Program Description
Even the best educational leaders can feel unprepared for the responsibility of spending and accounting for the thousands of dollars that pass through the school's books each year. Without a solid understanding of school financial management, principals may be distracted from their primary pedagogical mission. They may also risk damage to their careers and the reputation of their schools. School money management workshops are designed around sound accounting principles for professionals at the school level that are applicable immediately to the financial tasks that principals face every day. A concise desk reference handbook is School Money Matters: a Handbook for Principals (ASCD, 2004). The book covers twenty practical topics such as safeguards for activity funds, employee embezzlement, audits, petty cash, and on-line purchasing. Workshops are available on these topics.Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Safety & Organizational Management for Learning (ISLLC standards 2 & 3)Program Goals and Objectives
At the conclusion of a session on a particular topic such as school credit cards or bank reconciliations, participants will be able to explain and reference the overall procedures and the reasons for each as part of a system for safeguarding school assets.Program Format
Workshops are presented in an informal atmosphere with the presenter introducing basic principles for accounting safely for school assets. Participants are invited to discuss concepts with colleagues as they apply to their schools and ask questions of the presenter on topics of interest. Half-day workshops include exercises and simulation activities.Target Audience
The target audience is aspiring principals and newly appointed principals. These workshops are ideal for leadership academies for prospective principals and principals new to the position. These groups are eager to learn the "secrets" of handling school money that they have not learned in graduate training or on the job.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
No/yes; leadership academies.Duration of Program
A general overview session is 1.5 hours in length. Other topics can be presented in one hour sessions. Please refer to program description.Outcomes Measured
A vulnerability test is given at the end of the introductory session that allows the participant to assess the degree of risks at the school based on the information learned in a workshop. These workshops raise the awareness level of participants of potential financial landmines and how to use available resources to help them (e.g., internal and external auditors, websites, and books.)Program Evaluation
Recent workshops have been presented at the national ASCD conference in 2004, national elementary principals (NAESP) conference in 2005, and state conferences in Virginia for principals and assistant principals from 2001-2005 offered by VAESP. These workshops have been very well received, particularly by those who aspire to be principals.Contact Information
Davida W. Mutter, Ed. D.
School Solutions
240 Brookwood Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23185
dmutter@cox.net
757-536-2335