Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is OKASBO’s fourth level course of the School Business Academy.  The course is designed to provide participants an overview of the school operations including, but not limited to, construction, maintenance, transportation, child nutrition, safety, security and risk management for Oklahoma public schools. 

INSTRUCTOR(S)

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

PREREQUISTES

• Successfully complete the Level I, II & III courses

• Employed by a public school in Oklahoma

• Desire to learn about 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 and/or be able to do the following.

• Oklahoma Competitive Bidding Act of 1970

  • Understand public improvement projects as defined by the Oklahoma Competitive Bidding Act of 1970.

  • Understand the basic requirements of the Oklahoma Competitive Bidding Act.

• Hiring Architects & Construction Consultants

  • Understand the basic requirements for hiring and contracting of Architects and consultants as specified in Title 61

• Methods of Design & Construction

  • Understand basic methods of construction: General contracting, construction management and allowed and disallowed methods of design for public schools

• School Buildings and Physical Plant

  • Understand the term physical plant.

  • Review and understand replacement schedules, site plans and reporting those to the SDE.

• Student Transportation

  • Understanding the transportation services, requirements, and data collection requirements for maximum reimbursement of transportation service.

  • Understand how transportation services differ for students with special needs (IEP required transportation).

  • Identify the basic requirements for bus driver licensing and certification in Oklahoma.

• Managing Bus & Vehicle Fleets

  • Review and understand the basics of fleet management and IRS reporting requirements for employees personal use of fleet vehicles (Taxable fringe benefits).

• Child Nutrition 

  • Review and understand the USDA National School Lunch program and funding components for reimbursable and non-rebursable meals.

  • Differentiate between child nutrition self-operation vs. management services.

  • Understand the sourcing requirements for contracting child nutrition management services.

  • Discuss strategies for recruiting, hiring and retaining support employees.

  • Be able to identify the statutes and requirements for federal child nutrition procurement, e.g., USDA, 2 CFR Part 200, OKSDE.

• Outsourcing Services & Contract Administration

  • Understand outsourcing of operation services, contract administration, and sourcing methods for outsourcing services.

• Risk Management & Insurance

  • Identify various risk components, e.g., in contracts, safety, insurance, security, etc. 

  • Understand the requirements for school safety and security programs and committees

  • Understand sourcing methods for procurement of insurance.

  • Understand the basics of the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act.

• Energy Management & 3Rd Party Natural Gas

  • Understand the value, components and best practices of energy management and its impact on the school district’s budget.

  • Understand 3rd Party Natural gas, its savings, & procuring it.

• Surplus

  • Understand the requirements (state and federal) for disposing of surplus (furniture, fixtures, vehicles, IT equipment, used textbooks, etc.).

  • Understand and apply “salvage value” and its impact on depreciation.

  • Understand state and federal recycling and green procurement requirements.

  • Understand the term “e-waste” and special considerations for disposing of e-waste including, but not limited to, environmental issues and data security.

REQUIRED TEXT

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

• Access to the Internet will be provided at the class site. 

• Participants should bring a tablet or laptop with WiFi capability 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