In 2005, the Indiana ASBO Board of Directors determined that the creation

of a School Business Official Leadership Academy would be a high priority

for the Association. The idea was brought to the 2006 General Assembly

with the knowledge that funding would be difficult to achieve in a short

legislative session. In late 2006, a task force was created by IASBO to

develop the criteria for an Academy. The Academy concept became a plank in

the IASBO legislative package for the 2007 session. When the 2007

legislative session ended, the following language was included in HEA 1001,

the state budget:

"School Business Officials Academy

Total Operating Expense $150,000

The department shall make the foregoing appropriations to the Indiana

Association of School Business Officials to assist in the creation of an

academy designed to strengthen the management and leadership skills of

practicing Indiana school business officials."

This past summer, an Academy Advisory Committee was created to develop the

qualifications, application process, Academy cost, Academy schedule and the

Academy curriculum. The following details the essential elements of the

Academy including the application process.

**Academy Definition**

The Indiana School Business Official Leadership Academy is established to

strengthen leadership and management skills of practicing Indiana school

business officials to achieve excellence in school business practices.

**Qualifications for Participation**

1. Practicing school business official in Indiana

2. Minimum of five (5) years as a practicing school business official in

Indiana

3. A superintendent does qualify as a school business official

**Participation**

The Academy will be limited to 25 individuals in the first year. In year

two of the Academy, 25 additional individuals will be added to the

program. From this point on, 50 individuals will be Academy participants

each year.

**Application**

1. The Academy application is attached to this message

2. The application contains the requirement for an essay on why you should

be considered for the Academy.

3. The application contains a signed endorsement from your superintendent

or school board president.

4. The application contains a pledge from the applicant to attend all

meetings.

5. Applications must be sent to the IASBO office and postmarked by

November 7, 2007

6. Successful applicants will be notified on or before November 21, 2007

**Academy Selection Committee**

If more than 25 applications are received, a selection committee has been

formed to review the applications and recommend those selected for the

Academy. The selection committee is composed of the IASBO Executive

Director, IASBO Director of Professional Development, one (1) IASBO Board

of Director member, and two (2) members at-large appointed by the IASBO

President. The members at-large do not have to be IASBO members.

**Academy Schedule**

1. The Academy is a two-year program.

2. There will be four 2-day sessions per fiscal year.

3. The program is for a total of 16 days.

4. There will be five to six hours of instruction per day.

5. 2007-08 Schedule:

December 12-13, 2007

January 16-17, 2008

March 6-7, 2008

April 24-25, 2008

6. 2008-09 Schedule:

September 25-26, 2008

November 13-14, 2008

February 5-6, 2009

April 23-24, 2009

**Academy Cost**

1. $400 annually paid by employer or individual or combination thereof

2. $800 commitment for 2-year program

3. Once participants have been selected, IASBO will bill for the first year

4. Housing will be paid by the participant

5. The following meals will be provided for each day of the Academy: day

one of a session - lunch and dinner; day two of a session - breakfast and

lunch. Appropriate break items will also be provided.

**Academy Location**

Indianapolis Marriott North Hotel

3645 River Crossing Parkway

Indianapolis, IN 46240

317-705-0000

**Academy Curriculum**

Core Program: 1) Leadership; 2) Communication; 3) Climate and Culture; and

4) Fiscal Management

The Academy is designed to provide the participants with a wide-range of

experiences. There will be lecture time and interactive activities. The

Academy faculty are nationally known speakers in their area of

expertise. The curriculum for the first three sessions has been

finalized. Session #4 will be completed in the next few days.

**Academy Materials**

1. A binder will be provided to each participant to accumulate all Academy

hand-outs.

2. Each participant will receive an Academy portfolio with the Academy logo.

3. Books from instructors will be provided to each participant

**Questions**

Please contact Dennis Costerison (317-639-3586 x.106;

dcosterison@indiana-asbo.org) or Mark Miller (765-714-6789;

mmiller@indiana-asbo.org)

For the School Business Official Academy application, click here