Part of the Oklahoma School Finance for Boards Series
Module VI shifts from where the money comes from to how financial systems protect public trust. This experience examines fund accounting, OCAS coding, and student activity funds so that board members can ensure dollars are used legally, reporting is accurate, and communities can follow how financial decisions support students. Beyond Paperwork Module VII examines the operational systems that keep learning possible every day. This experience introduces school board members to capital outlay and facilities operations, transportation and food services, and risk management so that buildings stay open, students arrive safely and nourished, and learning environments remain protected. Designed for School Board Members Created specifically for busy local school board members, this experience emphasizes reflection, governance application, and practical oversight considerations that can strengthen board service immediately. Guided by the OCEA Framework Every OEFS module is grounded in the principles of: • Opportunity • Community • Equity • Accountability These dimensions provide a consistent framework for examining financial issues, strengthening stewardship, and promoting informed governance. A Connected Governance Journey Participants may complete Module VII as a standalone experience or continue through the larger OSFB Series exploring a variety of school finance topics (including strategic budgeting, fiscal accountability, operational finance, and emerging finance trends).
Meet Your Instructor
Dr. Jeffrey Maiden is a professor and former educational leader with a passion for helping leaders navigate the complexity of digital learning. Drawing on experience in leadership, research, and professional learning, he created the Oklahoma Education Finance Series to help busy board members better understand systems, strengthen coherence, and take purposeful governance action. His work is guided by the OCEA (Opportunity, Community, Equity, and Accountability) Framework and a commitment to practical, meaningful leadership development.
A Welcome Message for Your Digital Leadership Journey!
In this brief introductory video, Dr. Jeffrey Maiden welcomes participants and introduces the importance of governing the operational systems—facilities, transportation, meals, and risk management—that keep buildings open and students safe.
Perspectives about Academy Experiences from Educational Leaders
Leadership Perspective: "The experience challenged me to think beyond a district management paradigm toward a digital stewardship approach that frames leadership through relationships, instructional purpose, organizational culture, and professional judgment."
Practical Relevance: "As I transitioned into a district leadership role, I found myself returning to the ideas presented in each video as they closely mirrored the decisions I was making in practice."
Expert Perspective: The LEADS Framework for Strategic Leadership, which Dr. Jeff Maiden developed to improve educators' leadership development, is a must for all leaders who seek to deepen their knowledge of evidence-informed decision-making.
Reflection and Professional Growth: "Rather than offering a prescriptive model of leadership, the series encouraged thoughtful reflection."
Overall Experience: "Most importantly, the series strengthened my understanding that strategic digital leadership is ultimately an act of stewardship..."
Understand school operations processes
Examine how facilities operations, auxiliary services, and risk management contribute to the educational mission
Align operations with district priorities
Govern the alignment between facilities, auxiliary services, and risk management and the educational system
Govern school operations
Develop a board action to improve operational efficiencies
About the learning experience
Public education finance is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to local boards of education. Effective governance requires board members to understand that operational systems—facilities, transportation, meals, and risk management—are not background functions. They are the architecture that makes instruction possible. This Governance Application Experience helps school board members develop a practical understanding of operational finance and support services while strengthening their capacity for informed oversight and stewardship. As participants progress through the experience, they complete a series of structured reflections and governance applications that are compiled into a downloadable Governance Reflection Journal. The journal serves as an ongoing professional resource, capturing insights, questions, and governance considerations that can inform future board service. Participants Conclude the Experience With: • A deeper understanding of capital outlay, facilities operations, and debt service • Greater familiarity with transportation, food services, and budgeted risk • An OCEA-based governance analysis of a local financial issue • A Governance Consideration Plan for board reflection • A downloadable Professional Development Certificate of Completion • A downloadable Governance Reflection Journal
How the Experience Works
Participants move from financial understanding to informed governance through a structured process of reflection, analysis, application, and stewardship. Video → Reflect → Apply → Integrate → Governance Application → Dialogue
Govern Operations Confidently
$70.00