Page 18 - PASBOReportSept2018

PASBO's Roadmap to

Professional Development

By Sidney M. Clark, PCSBA | Business Manager, Shanksville-Stoneycreek SD | Board Director

ack in late 2007, I made a decision to change school business as possible and see what else I would need
my career path. At the time, I was in education in the process. Since it was December/January, I decided
Btechnology working for a computer consortium to start with my first ever PASBO Annual Conference in
as a systems analyst supporting both financial, food service 2008, and I have been attending different professional
and student management systems for six school districts and development opportunities ever since.
one technical school. I felt that I had a good understanding
of what a business manager did. Boy, was I in for a shock. I wanted to take a moment to review the professional
After supporting administrative offices for nine years, I was development opportunities that PASBO offers and hopefully
given the opportunity to become the business manager of provide a brief roadmap that individuals both new and old
the Shanksville-Stonycreek School District. I quickly found to the school business arena can follow.
out that my realm of responsibilities was far greater than I
originally expected and that I was going to need to help. The first overview training that PASBO offers is the
School Operations Academy. This 2-day event gives an
My educational background was computer science. I overview and introduction to various school business
am sure you are wondering why a computer geek would operations components. These components include
want to become a business manager. All through my high business, facilities, food service, and transportation, and
school, vo-tech/CTC and college careers I took business new for 2018 is human resources. This opportunity is great
curriculum in order to be able to take my computer classes. for a newbie or a veteran learning a new responsibility. I
So, I had the business background with accounting, attended the academy back in the summer of 2008, and I
economics, along with other business-related courses, and I even got my superintendent and secretary to attend too.
enjoyed working with numbers.
The Elements of School Business Management courses
Even though I was familiar various PDE reports, would be your next step in an introduction to school
including PIMS, I quickly found that that there was much business. Most of these courses are face-to-face courses
more responsibility than just managing and providing the where you get an opportunity to learn as well as share your
numbers. Food service management, board secretary, child experiences and concerns and have your questions answered
accounting, federal programs, human resources, benefits by your peers. Each course represents a 1-day deeper
management, debt re-financing and negotiations were some look at a specific topic with management responsibilities
of the items I wasn’t ready for. I quickly realized I was a added into each element. The Elements courses include the
newbie in a strange world, and I needed help. following subjects:

The next question I had to answer was “Where can I • Leadership, Management & Supervision
learn what I need to know quickly and efficiently so that • Technology in Schools
I can meet my full job requirements?” Coming into a • Purchasing
new position in the middle of fiscal year meant I missed • School Communications
opportunities. I knew PASBO existed, but as a subordinate • School Finance
in a department, I did not participate in PASBO at a state • School Law & Organization
level at all, nor did I have an opportunity to participate in a • Transportation
regional chapter. • Budgeting and Planning
• Governmental Fund Accounting
So, I started looking at my professional development • Human Resources
options. I looked at PASBO as well as other organizations. • Food Service
I included broad organizations and more focused, specialty • Facility Management
organizations. I had to consider overall cost and the amount
of time spent at these trainings, both in and out of the office. A new option to learning is being added to the Elements
I decided to start with the best option that covered as much of courses. PASBO is beginning to convert these 1-day
15 PASBO Report