Comprehensive Education

Gain in-depth knowledge about school board financial oversight

Practical Insights

Learn from real-world scenarios and case studies

Expert Guidance

Receive guidance from industry professionals and experienced educators

Meet the Instructors

Hi, we are Robert N. Brown Jr. CPA, CFE and Jason F. Sharpe former RSU 22 School Board member and SVP Bank of America and we are thrilled to share our combined expertise in financial oversight with you. With years of experience in the education sector, we understand the challenges faced by school boards. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the financial landscape of your school district successfully.

About the Course

Budgeting for School Boards is a focused, practical, and Maine-specific course designed to help School Board members fully understand the budget process from start to finish. Whether you you are a long term school board member, or newly elected to your first term, this course will deepen your skills and equip you with actionable tools to support responsible, transparent budgeting in your district. School budgeting is one of the most important responsibilities of a School Board — and one of the most misunderstood. This course breaks down the process into clear, manageable parts and provides you with hands-on worksheets, real examples, and best-practice checklists tailored to the responsibilities defined in Maine law and common district practices. By the end of this course, you will feel more confident asking the right questions, understanding the numbers in front of you, and ensuring that your district’s resources are aligned with student needs and community priorities.

Course Curriculum

1 Chapter · 29 Lessons

  1. 1

    Budgeting for School Boards (Maine)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      📜 Disclaimer and Legal Notice

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction and Course Overview

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Budgeting and the Board’s Role

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Budgeting and the Board's Role Knowledge Check

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      The School Budget Process – From Planning to Implementation

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      The School budget Process Knowledge Check

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The School Budget Process – Timelines and Key Milestones

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      The School Budget Process – Timelines and Key Milestones Knowledge Check

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the State Funding Formula in Maine

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the State Funding Formula in Maine Knowledge Check

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Revenue Sources – Local, State, and Federal

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Revenue Sources – Local, State, and Federal Knowledge Check

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Expenditures and Cost Drivers

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Expenditures and Cost Drivers Knowledge Check

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal Funds & Compliance – Title I, Special Education (IDEA), and More

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal Funds & Compliance – Title I, Special Education (IDEA), and More Knowledge Check

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Oversight of Federal Funds (e.g., Title I, IDEA)

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Oversight of Federal Funds (e.g., Title I, IDEA) Knowledge Check

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Using a Financial Oversight Calendar

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Using a Financial Oversight Calendar Knowledge Check

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Key State Reporting Requirements

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      Key State Reporting Requirements Knowledge Check

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      Public Involvement and Transparency

    24. (Included in full purchase)

      Public Involvement and Transparency Knowledge Check

    25. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to School Board Oversight (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

    26. (Included in full purchase)

      Budgeting and Financial Planning (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

    27. (Included in full purchase)

      Deep Dive on State and Federal Oversight (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

    28. (Included in full purchase)

      Building and Sustaining Strong Financial Oversight Committees (Worksheets, Answer Keys & Checklists)

    29. (Included in full purchase)

      Budget & Budget Cycle Resources and References

Ready to Enhance Your School's Financial Health?

Enroll now and lead your school board to financial success

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