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School Business Insider
John Brucato
78 episodes
1 day ago
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Sonja H. Trainor, Executive Director of the National School Attorneys Association, for a timely conversation about the U.S. Supreme Court’s major rulings and what they mean for school leaders. From religious objections to curriculum (Mahmoud v. Taylor) to transgender rights and medical procedures (U.S. v. Skrmetti), and from charter school governance (Drummond v. OK) to E-Rate funding’s uncertain future, this episode c...
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Education
How To,
Government
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All content for School Business Insider is the property of John Brucato and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Sonja H. Trainor, Executive Director of the National School Attorneys Association, for a timely conversation about the U.S. Supreme Court’s major rulings and what they mean for school leaders. From religious objections to curriculum (Mahmoud v. Taylor) to transgender rights and medical procedures (U.S. v. Skrmetti), and from charter school governance (Drummond v. OK) to E-Rate funding’s uncertain future, this episode c...
Show more...
Education
How To,
Government
Episodes (20/78)
School Business Insider
The Foundations of SBO Success: Career Starts & Disaster Preparedness
Join host John Brucato and Maria Parry, retired SBA from Monmouth Regional High School (NJ), as they explore essential advice for those new to the school business field and those aiming to safeguard their district from disaster. Drawing from her School Business Now articles on career setup and disaster planning, Maria provides actionable insights—from résumé-risk mitigation to vendor planning—that every SBO needs. Perfect for both emerging and seasoned professionals looking to strengthen thei...
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6 days ago
35 minutes

School Business Insider
Roadmap to Sustainable Schools: Finance, Operations & Environmental Stewardship
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Chris Wildman, Assistant Superintendent for Finance at Grayslake CCSD 46 in Illinois. Chris shares how his district launched a robust sustainability program—including composting, solar, paper use reduction, and strategic planning—all while delivering financial savings and engaging stakeholders. Drawn from Chris’s June 2025 School Business Now article, this episode offers a roadmap for SBOs to start or scale sustainable ...
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1 week ago
38 minutes

School Business Insider
From Rejection to Renewal: A School Business Journey in Trust & Transparency
In this solo episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato reflects on a remarkable transformation in his district—from the failure of a $36 million bond in 2018 to the successful completion of a $27 million capital project in 2024. With no tax increase and overwhelming community support, this journey was built on trust, transparency, and thoughtful planning. John shares actionable lessons in stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, and financial stewardship that helped restor...
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2 weeks ago
44 minutes

School Business Insider
Helpful or Harmful? The Promise and Pitfalls of AI for CFOs and SBOs
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Mary Ellen Normen, a retired school business official blazing new trails in the world of artificial intelligence. With presentations at ASBO and AASA conferences and a widely-read article on AI in school business, Mary Ellen unpacks how SBOs can use AI tools for budgeting, facilities, communications, and strategic planning. From ethical guardrails to getting started with your first AI prompt, this episode is a practi...
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3 weeks ago
45 minutes

School Business Insider
Breaking the Silence: Addressing Mental Health Among School Business Officials
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages in a heartfelt conversation with Peter Bard, CFO of East Stroudsburg Area School District. Peter shares his personal experiences with mental health challenges, the impact on his professional life, and his journey towards healing and advocacy. This discussion sheds light on the importance of mental well-being in the high-stakes world of school business leadership and offers insights into creating supportive environments for ...
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1 month ago
46 minutes

School Business Insider
Empowering the Next Generation: Insights from ASBO's Emerging Leaders
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Brandy N. Smith, PCSBA, and Baillie M. Nash, SFO, recent recipients of the ASBO International Emerging Leaders Scholarship. They discuss their career journeys, the impact of the scholarship on their professional development, and the importance of networking in the field of school business. This conversation offers valuable insights for aspiring school business officials and those looking to support emerging leaders in t...
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1 month ago
33 minutes

School Business Insider
Mentorship Matters: Cheryl Campbell on Nurturing School Business Leaders
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages in a compelling conversation with Cheryl Campbell, Chief Operating Officer at Thomas Tallis School in London and a leading advocate for mentorship in the school business profession. Cheryl shares her personal journey, insights on establishing effective mentoring relationships, and the pivotal role mentorship plays in professional development and fostering diversity in leadership. Discover practical strategies for initiating...
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1 month ago
35 minutes

School Business Insider
Discovering a Sea of Knowledge: Inside MD ASBO's Spring Conference
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Jeff LaPorta, Executive Director of Maryland ASBO, and Libby Hillard, School Business Administrator and incoming Vice President of MD ASBO, to explore the intricacies of the 71st Annual Spring Conference. They discuss the inspiration behind this year's theme, "Discover a Sea of Knowledge," the meticulous planning that goes into organizing the event, and MD ASBO's steadfast commitment to professional development. Gain...
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1 month ago
30 minutes

School Business Insider
Church, State, and School Choice: Navigating the Legal Crossroads
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato engages with legal expert Dr. Charles J. Russo to dissect a landmark Supreme Court case that could redefine the intersection of public education funding and religious institutions. The case centers on Oklahoma's attempt to establish St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School, raising pivotal questions about the constitutionality of state-funded religious charter schools. Dr. Russo provides a comprehensive analysis of th...
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2 months ago
45 minutes

School Business Insider
From the Hill to the Classroom: ASBO’s Federal Advocacy in Action
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Elleka Yost, ASBO’s Director of Advocacy & Research, along with Trisha Schock and Jeff Hollamon, Chair and Vice Chair of the Legislative Advisory Committee (LAC), to explore what ASBO International is doing to protect and promote education funding at the federal level. They discuss the 2025–2026 U.S. policy priorities, key legislative issues impacting school districts—from IDEA and Title I to AI, student meals, a...
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2 months ago
49 minutes

School Business Insider
Righting the Ship: Navigating Financial Challenges in Special Education
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Cindy M. Reilmann, CPA, SFO, Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Michael Maclin, Superintendent of Schools, from the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County. Facing a projected $74 million deficit, SSD launched the Righting the Ship plan—a strategic roadmap designed to stabilize finances while preserving their mission to serve students with excellence. Cindy and Dr. Maclin share how they tackled tough decisions,...
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2 months ago
42 minutes

School Business Insider
From Compliance to Collaboration: Redesigning the School Budget Process
How do school leaders move beyond compliance and create budgets that reflect shared values? In this episode of School Business Insider, John Brucato sits down with Dr. Michael Juech, Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the Howard-Suamico School District in Wisconsin, to explore his thought-provoking article, "We Versus Me: Collaborative Resource Allocation and Budget Management." Dr. Juech shares actionable strategies for engaging school leaders, staff, and board members in transparent...
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2 months ago
48 minutes

School Business Insider
The School Food Procurement Puzzle: Challenges, Solutions & Innovation
Food procurement is one of the biggest challenges facing school business officials today. Between regulatory red tape, supply chain disruptions, and vendor relationships, school districts must navigate a complex system to ensure students receive nutritious meals. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Sacha Pouliot, SFO/RSBA, and Darin Crawford, MBA, RTSBA, to break down their work with the Food Advisory Procurement Workgroup. Together, they explore: ...
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3 months ago
47 minutes

School Business Insider
The Hidden Lifeline: How Medicaid Supports Our Schools
As Congress considers major changes to Medicaid through budget reconciliation, schools across the country are at risk of losing critical funding that supports student health services. In this episode, we talk with Jessie Mandle, National Program Director at Healthy Schools Campaign, about the newly released report based on a national school Medicaid survey. Jessie and John explore how districts—especially in rural areas—depend on Medicaid to fund services for students with disabilities and me...
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3 months ago
36 minutes

School Business Insider
Healthy School Meals for All: What’s at Stake in Washington
School nutrition programs are under threat — and school business officials need to be prepared. In this episode of School Business Insider, we speak with Crystal FitzSimons, interim President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), about the latest policy proposals in Washington that could impact access to school meals. Crystal breaks down potential changes to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and income verification requirements, and explains how these would affect school bu...
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3 months ago
42 minutes

School Business Insider
Beyond the Buzzwords: Real AI Solutions for School Business Officials
Artificial intelligence is here, and it’s changing the way school business officials operate—if they know how to use it effectively. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Aziz Aghayev, CEO of Flowist, to discuss how AI is transforming school finance operations, from budget forecasting to policy creation and meeting summaries. Aziz shares: The Five Phases of AI Adoption SBOs go through How AI can boost productivity and reduce manual workload&nb...
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3 months ago
1 hour 1 minute

School Business Insider
Operational Excellence in Schools: A Year of Progress & What’s Next
Operational excellence has transformed industries like manufacturing and healthcare, but what about education? Can schools apply these same principles to streamline operations, maximize resources, and improve student outcomes? In this follow-up conversation, I reconnect with Stephen Morales, Chief Executive of the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL) in the UK, to revisit our discussion on Operational Excellence (OPEX) in schools and explore how the movement has evolved over the pas...
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3 months ago
40 minutes

School Business Insider
Strengthening School Leadership, Part 2: Budgeting & Resource Management
Financial uncertainty is a constant challenge for school business officials, but how districts respond to it can determine long-term success. Instead of simply reacting to budget shortfalls, SBOs must take a strategic approach to resource allocation and financial planning. In this episode, Jonathan Travers, President & Managing Partner of Consulting at Education Resource Strategies (ERS), shares insights on managing financial uncertainty, using return on investment to guide budgeting deci...
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4 months ago
54 minutes

School Business Insider
Strengthening School Leadership, Part 1: Ethics & Decision-Making
Strong leadership is tested in challenging times. With shifting policies, financial strain, and increasing accountability, school business officials must make critical decisions that impact their districts, staff, and students. But how can SBOs maintain composure, ethics, and strategic clarity when facing these pressures? In Part 1 of our two-part series on Strengthening School Leadership, Jim Rowan, Executive Director of ASBO International joins us to discuss how SBOs can lead effectively th...
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4 months ago
54 minutes

School Business Insider
Building Better Budgets: Insights for School Business Leaders
Budgeting in a school district isn’t just about balancing the books—it’s about making strategic financial decisions that ensure long-term stability, transparency, and alignment with district goals. With fluctuating funding, increasing costs, and growing stakeholder expectations, school business officials must be proactive in their approach to financial planning. In this episode of School Business Insider, Bob Saul, Business Administrator and Board Treasurer at East Penn School District in Pen...
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4 months ago
1 hour 3 minutes

School Business Insider
In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Sonja H. Trainor, Executive Director of the National School Attorneys Association, for a timely conversation about the U.S. Supreme Court’s major rulings and what they mean for school leaders. From religious objections to curriculum (Mahmoud v. Taylor) to transgender rights and medical procedures (U.S. v. Skrmetti), and from charter school governance (Drummond v. OK) to E-Rate funding’s uncertain future, this episode c...