Business Services

We serve our students, families, and communities.

We strive for excellence in all we do.

We remove barriers and pursue outcomes that enables all students to realize their potential and maximize their future opportunities.

Integrity and honesty are the foundation on which trustworthiness is built. We, as a member of a school district finance office, are in a unique position where our influence over the allocation of limited resources and the fiscal future of our communities require the highest standard of integrity and honesty. It means people can believe what we say, we act in accordance with our values, we put principle ahead of our own ego, and we do the right thing even when it is hard.

How We Show Integrity and Honesty

• Manage school district resources honestly and transparently. We will: exercise prudence in the management of district funds; disclose the information needed for local officials and the public to understand the financial condition of the school district; uphold the letter and the spirit of the law; avoid conflicts of interest; refuse gifts or favors that could be perceived to influence our professional duties; and not seek personal gain in conduct of the public’s business. We will develop the policies, procedures, and systems necessary to ensure honest and transparent financial management in our district.
• Stand for our values. Integrity is the integration of our values with our behavior. We will define the values that drive how we conduct financial management in service to our communities and be prepared to give voice to those values. 
• Be open to new ideas. Openness is essential to integrity. Openness means we are willing to admit that we may not always be right. We are willing to consider new information or ideas – they could prove essential to the continued safety, education, and vitality of our communities.

School district finance offices have an important job. Doing that job well honors the trust the public has placed in us. When we show we are well informed and knowledgeable and can produce the results our communities expect, we build trust.

How We Produce Results for Our Communities

• Do high-quality work. When we produce results that meet the needs of our stakeholders, we gain the confidence of the public and our colleagues.
• Hone our expertise. Continually refining our knowledge, skills, and abilities assures people that we can continue to produce results for our communities now and in the future.
• Exercise good judgment. Judgment is the application of our knowledge, skills, and abilities. Sound judgment requires testing our intentions, motivations, and exercising constant situational awareness. By paying attention to the effect that conflicting demands, pressing deadlines, and other biasing factors may have on our decision-making, we are more likely to choose in the best interest of the communities we serve.

School districts depend on trusting relationships between people. If people feel unfairly treated, relationships break down, and they may withhold their support from our district. This makes it more difficult for our district to maintain a strong financial foundation. Therefore, we will treat people fairly and develop processes and procedures that are fair.

How We Treat People Fairly

• Respect the rights of others. School district finance offices are in a position of authority. When acting from the position of authority, the rights of other people must be respected. This includes providing equal treatment and opposing discrimination, harassment or other unfair practices.
• Develop processes and procedures that are fair. When employees and citizens believe that decisions are fact based and take all concerns into consideration, they are more likely to support those decisions – even if a decision is not in favor of a preferred outcome.

Communities across the country are constantly changing. Embracing diversity and fostering inclusiveness helps school districts cultivate the organization and promote policies that reflect the communities they serve. When individuals feel included, they see that we are concerned for their well-being, and it shows we are worthy of their trust.

How We Value Diversity and Foster Inclusion

• Provide individuals with opportunities to be part of decisions that impact them. School district decisions often have big implications for individuals outside the organization. If these individuals take part in the decision-making process, they are more likely to feel fairly treated and thereby regard the school district as trustworthy.

• Support equity in service provisions. School district services are critical to the lives of our citizens. The business function, because of its resource allocation role, can impact the quality of services and how and where services are provided. We are committed to valuing diversity within the organization and within our community, recognizing our own biases, and calling out unfair discrimination of any kind.

When others can depend on us, we prove our trustworthiness. When we consistently apply our standards – especially to ourselves – we honor our commitment to the community we serve and make it easier to do the right thing even when faced with challenging circumstances.

How We Show Reliability and Consistency

• Develop strong and responsible financial policies. Financial policies provide the framework and a standard of performance against which our community can evaluate its financial performance.
• Produce reliable information. Individuals rely on information produced by the school district to make important decisions for the community. That information should be accurate and complete. It should also be objective and free from biases.
• Provide timely information. Set clear expectations for when work will be accomplished and live up to those expectations.