Part of the Oklahoma School Finance for Boards Series
Module II serves as the foundation for understanding Oklahoma's state and local education finance system. This experience introduces school board members to the funding structures, revenue mechanisms, and financial operations that support public education throughout Oklahoma. Beyond Budgets OSFB focuses on governance, stewardship, accountability, and oversight rather than day-to-day financial administration. Participants examine how funding systems function and how effective boards ask informed questions about fiscal health, transparency, and sustainability. 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 II as a standalone experience or continue through the larger Oklahoma Education Finance Suite 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 financial literacy, stewardship, and governance in supporting Oklahoma's public schools.
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 How Oklahoma Schools Are Funded
Develop a stronger understanding of the state and local funding systems that support educational opportunities throughout Oklahoma.
Strengthen Oversight and Fiscal Stewardship
Examine how boards monitor financial health, promote accountability, and ensure responsible stewardship of public resources.
Ask Better Governance Questions
Learn how informed boards use data, reports, and financial information to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust.
About the learning experience
Public school finance is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to local boards of education. Effective governance requires board members to understand where educational resources originate, how revenue systems operate, and how financial decisions influence students, schools, communities, and long-term district sustainability. This Governance Application Experience helps school board members develop a practical understanding of Oklahoma's school finance system while strengthening their capacity for informed oversight and stewardship. Through concise video segments, guided reflection, governance application activities, and professional dialogue, participants move beyond understanding finance concepts toward applying a governance lens to real issues facing local school districts. 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 Oklahoma's education finance system • Greater familiarity with state aid, local revenues, and financial operations • 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 with Confidence in School Finance
$70.00