Full Description
Public School Finance Decoded, Second Edition demystifies one of education's most complex and misunderstood topics—how financial decisions shape student achievement. Written from the perspective of an experienced chief financial officer, the book bridges the gap between finance officers, educators, and policymakers by translating budgets, audits, and ratios into clear, actionable strategies that drive learning results.
This fully updated edition explores the financial ecosystem of public schools—from staffing and school-level budgeting to transportation, child nutrition, maintenance, and technology. Each chapter blends research, real-world data, and case studies drawn from actual district experiences, illustrating how effective financial leadership improves outcomes.
Designed for both specialists and non-specialists, the book includes reflection prompts and discussion questions to support professional learning and graduate coursework. With practical tools, federal funding updates (ESSER, Title programs), and efficiency indicators, Public School Finance Decoded empowers superintendents, principals, board members, and business officers to align every dollar with the district's mission: advancing student achievement through sound financial stewardship.
Contents
Chapter 1. How Finance and Student Achievement Go Hand in Hand
Chapter 2. Looking at the Past to Predict the Future
Chapter 3. The Plan For Student Achievement - The Budget
Chapter 4. A Granular Look at School-Level Budgeting
Chapter 5. How to Use District Efficiency Indicators
Chapter 6. What Expenses to Include in the Indicators
Chapter 7. Child Nutrition Ratios
Chapter 8. Maintenance and Operation of Plant Ratios
Chapter 9. Transportation Ratios
Chapter 10. Technology Ratios
Chapter 11. Other Ratios to Consider
Chapter 12. What Expenditures Directly Correlate with Student Achievement
Chapter 13. Linking the Strategic Plan to the Budget
Chapter 14. How It All Fits Together
