School District Business Leader program at Saint Rose sees significant growth

Leaders in school districts are facing enormous challenges, having to find innovative ways to keep their young learners and employees safe in the midst of a pandemic and unprecedented cuts to budgets and staffing. “School business officials have to be completely strategic and flexible,” says Deborah Shea, director of Saint Rose’s School District Business Leader (SDBL) certification program.

“The challenges of leadership are becoming more evident than ever,” says Shea. “And many school professionals are feeling the call to leadership.”

Shea has seen steady growth in enrollment in the SDBL program, which gives candidates a thorough grounding in the essentials of leadership – including school finance, education law, personnel management, and current issues in educational leadership and administration, as well as a required internship – in a convenient, flexible, fully online format. Students move through the 24-credit program as a tight-knit cohort, developing a strong and valuable network while learning crucial skills.

The program, which began in 2016 with 10 candidates, has grown to a current class size of 33 students. That doesn’t include the 17 candidates in the MBA+SDBL joint-degree program, the only known such program in New York State.

“Each course includes practical activities involving hands-on work that ultimately supports the knowledge needed to become a school district business leader,” says Amanda Lolik, education finance specialist at the New York State Education Department and current student in the SDBL program. “Many group activities mirror the relationship that a member of the district leadership team will have with colleagues, and (they) provide opportunities to learn from each group member’s specific area of expertise.”

An important partner in the program is the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) of New York, the nonprofit organization representing education leaders across the state. “We have a tight connection with ASBO, who is a valuable partner,” says Shea, who frequently presents at ASBO conferences.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of the program is the personal attention that each candidate receives, even before they enroll. “I speak personally with anyone interested in the program, either on the phone or via Zoom, for 30 to 40 minutes,” says Shea (pre-COVID-19 meetings happened in person, over coffee). “People are shocked at the level of attention they receive,” she adds. “It goes back to Saint Rose’s mission of providing individual attention and support to help students succeed.”

And that individual attention continues throughout the program, from Shea and the rest of the faculty, who are experienced educators with strong backgrounds in school district business. “I never expected to feel so engaged in an online program,” says Lolik. “Moving from one class to another as a cohort was specifically helpful, providing an opportunity to develop a network of colleagues moving into the field together, and the school leaders and educational professors who were our professors contributed to a unique exploration of the realities of becoming a school district business leader.”

The SDBL is just as relevant for current leaders as for aspiring ones.

“I found the SDBL program to be beyond helpful, and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to fully understand how to work with your school business organization to create a fiscal plan that supports your district’s vision,” says Christine Finn, superintendent for Carle Place School District (North Hempstead, New York). “It has helped me become a more thoughtful superintendent. It is easier to collaborate with team members when you have a deep understanding of the fiscal processes and school business functions.”

Successful completion of the program leads to certification as a school district business leader in New York State, for those aspiring to district-wide roles as business administrator, finance or business director, or assistant superintendent or superintendent. Candidates must already hold a master’s degree (for those without a graduate degree, Saint Rose offers a combined MBA plus SDBL certification program).