Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is OKASBO’s first level course of the School Business Academy.  The course is designed to provide the participant with an introductory overview of the history, constitution, statutes, policies and funding of public schools in the State of Oklahoma. 

INSTRUCTOR(S)

The course is offered by OKASBO.  Instructors for each section of the course will vary.  

PREREQUISTES

• Employed by a public school in Oklahoma

• Desire to learn Oklahoma school business

• Be able to perform basic math calculations

• Possess good communication skills and have a willingness to participate and collaborate in small groups with other attendees

COURSE SCHEDULE

• In-person class

• 4 days (24-28 class hours)

• 2 consecutive days in the summer/fall; 2 days in the winter/spring

• Approximately 7 hours per day

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course, the participant should have a working knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Constitution & History of Public Schools in Oklahoma

  • Understand the constitutional history and authority for the establishment of public schools in Oklahoma.

  • Understand the history and statutory governance of public schools in Oklahoma.

• Oklahoma Statutes

  • Be familiar with the Oklahoma statutes and administrative codes that govern public schools.

  • Be able to access and find state statutes on the Internet.

  • Understand the role of the Oklahoma State Department of Education in governing public schools.

• Local School Governance

  • Understand the governance and authority of the local school board.

  • Be familiar with the local school board elections and election cycle.

  • Understand the specific powers and duties of the local school board (Title 70).

  • Be familiar with statutory conflict of interest regulations for local school board members. 

• Oklahoma Public School Funding

  • Understand the sources of public school funding: federal, state & local.

  • Recognize the funding sources by title, e.g., general fund.

  • Understand the purpose and function of various funds, and the permissible and restricted uses of those funds.

  • Understand the basics of Oklahoma state aid and the state aid formula.

  • Understand Ad Valorem taxes and bond funds.

  • Perform basic Ad Valorem calculations. 

  • Be familiar with the reporting requirements of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and the importance of timely and accurate reporting of data.

  • Understand the basics of public school accounting and budgeting (if offered in this course).

REQUIRED TEXT, MATERIALS, ACCESS

• Materials, presentations, and handouts will be provided by speakers.

• Access to the Internet. Wi-Fi will be provided in class.  

• Participants should bring a WiFi-enabled tablet or laptop to the class. 

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION

• In-person attendance is required for this course.  For successful completion of the course, participants must be present in-class, each day, for at least 90% of the class time.

• Participants must pass a competency assessment at the end of each two-day session (passing is at least 70% correct)

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion (attendance & competency assessment), the participant will be awarded the designated core certificate for the class.  

• This course is required for obtaining the Oklahoma ASBO Certified School Business Specialist, Certified School Business Official, and Certified School Business Administrator Certification.