Essentials of Finance for School Leaders

Tyrone Bynoe is an Associate Professor of Education and the Director of Educational Leadership programs at St. Bonaventure University (St. Bonaventure, New York). Dr. Bynoe has been a faculty member in higher education for eighteen years, and he was a public-school practitioner for seventeen years. Steve Bounds is Professor of Educational Leadership in the Department of Learning and Educational Leadership at Arkansas Tech University. He worked 31 years in K-12 education, four as a high school principal and 17 as a school superintendent. Davíd G. Martínez, PhD is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policies at the College of Education of the University of South Carolina. Davíd is a protean critical school finance policy scholar connecting policy knowledge and praxis through multi-method inquiry.

As its subtitle suggests the book is A Practical Handbook for Problem-Solving and Meeting Challenges. In this day and age, when school leaders face complex issues and challenges, it is important for school leaders to be able to leverage resources and finances to assist in solving the problems that they face. What sets this book apart is its practical approach to finance education, giving readers an in-depth look at the vital essentials of school finance alongside an understanding of school finance policy. Money matters – especially when it comes to providing educational opportunities for underserved children. In summary, The Essentials of Finance for School Leaders is a well-crafted guide that equips educational leaders and aspiring ones with essential financial knowledge and practical knowledge and advice from the seasoned authors which align with the National Educational Leadership Program Standards and those of professional associations. The book is a valuable resource that can be used to develop school and district leaders who possess the skills, knowledge, and ability to advance more equitable outcomes utilizing the principles of sound school finance management. It empowers school leaders and potential leaders with the necessary knowledge and practical guidance to make informed financial decisions, ultimately leading to the efficient and effective allocation of resources for the benefit of students and the institution as a whole. It imparts crucial lessons in a relatable manner and fosters a mindset of fiscal responsibility. I highly recommend this book to practicing school administrators and those aspiring to those positions.

• Part I: School Building Financial LeadershipChapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Budgeting: Sources and EffectivenessChapter 3: Accounting, Purchasing and BiddingChapter 4: Financial Reporting and School ResultsChapter 5: Other Funding Challenges Part II: Educational Funding Streams and ExpendituresChapter 6: Major Local Sources of School Revenue Chapter 7: Major State and Federal Sources of School Revenue Chapter 8: Student Activity FundsChapter 9: Special Education Funding Chapter 10: Personnel ExpendituresChapter 11: Facilities and Maintenance ExpendituresPart III: School Funding CompetitionChapter 12: Privatization and Vouchers Chapter 13: Charter School FundingChapter 14: Education Spending Accounts Part IV: Improving School Financial Leadership for the FutureChapter 15: Site-Level Financial Leadership for Principals and StaffChapter 16: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of a School Budgeting Officer