The Board's Role in School Finance

Objective:

To provide an overview of the board's role in developing the school budget.

Description:

In this session, board members will learn their role in the budget process and how it relates the board's mission and vision for the school system.

Important topics for discussion and interaction include:

• History of School Finance
• Overview of the BEP
• Local Revenue and Federal Funds
• Budget Process
• How to Read a Budget Document
• Factors Affecting a Budget
• Building Support for the Budget

Consultant:

Chris Henson serves as the Interim Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Business and Facility Services for the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools where he oversees the budget development and management of the district’s $600 million operating budget. Other areas of responsibility include Business Services, Maintenance/Operation/ADA Compliance of Facilities (160 sites/13 million sq ft), School Planning and Construction ($60 million capital budget), Student Transportation (600 buses), School Nutrition Program ($35 million enterprise fund), and Student Assignment and Zoning (74,000 students). He served as the Associate Director of Schools, Finance and Administration for the Franklin Special School District from 1997-2002; the Budget and Finance Director/Interim Superintendent for the Sumner County Board of Education from 1995-1997; and the Internal Auditor, Central Office Administration for the Sumner County Board of Education from 1990-1995. He is a member of the State Board of Education Basic Education Program (BEP) Review Committee, Governor’s Task Force on Teacher Pay, Tennessee Association of School Business Officials (TASBO Past President), Southeastern Association of School Business Officials, Association of School Business Officials International, and Metropolitan Area School Systems (MASS). Mr. Henson graduated with honors from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Wayne Qualls has served as the Executive Director of Tennessee School Systems for Equity since 1999. Previously, he was the Director of Intergovernmental and Legislative Services for the Tennessee Board of Regents. He served as the State of Tennessee’s Assistant Commissioner of Education for two years prior to being appointed as the Commissioner of Education in 1994-95. His career in education has been varied, having served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent. Mr. Qualls received his Bachelor’s Degree from David Lipscomb University, his Master’s Degree from Austin Peay University, and his Educational Specialist Degree from Tennessee State University. In 1992, he developed the state model on accountability for local schools in Tennessee. Mr. Qualls was instrumental in a ruling which brought $700 million in new funding to schools in Tennessee.

Maximum Enrollment: 40 school board members.

Experienced Board Member Registration

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