Need training in school business? Check out our Professional Development Opportunities
You can also fill out and submit a Training Course Proposal Form. Read the information below first.
About this serviceAssembly Bill 3141 requires the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team to facilitate training on school fiscal issues. The law specifies that these training activities shall emphasize efforts to improve fiscal accountability and expand fiscal competency of local school agencies. The law also states that FCMAT "shall use state professional associations, private organizations and public agencies to provide guidance, support and the delivery of any training services."
Toward this goal, FCMAT began by conducting a statewide survey that resulted in the production of a Business Training Needs Assessment. In summarizing the study, board members, superintendents and assistant superintendents of instruction as a group said they have a "high need" for training in budgeting, finance, technology and leadership. Chief business officials and business staff indicated two major needs: assessing fiscal conditions and communication skills.
Survey results have been disseminated to the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO), the California School Boards Association (CSBA), the California County Superintendents of Educational Services Association (CCSESA), School Services of California (SSC) and the California Department of Education (CDE). All were involved in planning the survey. The study also has been shared with various districts and county offices of education.
As of March 15, 1995, FCMAT hired a director of professional development to begin coordinating training proposals. This person is working with a $500,000 budget that is used to provide training program grants to public, private and non-profit organizations to develop fiscal accountability competency training programs for public school agencies.
All materials developed by grant recipients are subject to review and approval by FCMAT and the California Department of Education. In addition, after the designated use period, ownership rights of all materials go to the California Department of Education.
For more information about school business professional development, contact either:
Thomas E. Henry, FCMAT Chief Administrative Officer, at 661-636-4587 or 415-499-5804
or
Joel Montero, FCMAT Professional Development Chief Operations Officer, at 415-499-5887 or e-mail: jmontero@marin.k12.ca.us