TITLE: Interim School Business Administrator

TYPE OF POSITION: Full time (1.0), full year   

LOCATION: Seekonk School Department, 25 Water Lane, Seekonk, MA 02771

START DATE: Immediate

REPORTS TO: School Committee & Superintendent of Schools 

SUPERVISES: Supervises and evaluates Business Office Staff, including payroll, benefits, purchasing, accounts payable, Transportation Director, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, with shared responsibility for supervision and evaluation of technology staff.

 

The School Business Administrator is the chief financial executive of the school district and as such serves as the principal advisor to the Superintendent of Schools in matters related to finance, budget, and procurement. The School Business Administrator provides leadership for the following: financial management, facilities, administrative management of office systems and procedures, food service management, administrative technology management, and transportation management. As a member of the leadership team, the School Business Administrator provides information and services as a resource to others, especially regarding all changes to the laws and regulations pertaining to school finance.

 

Seekonk is seeking an Interim School Business Administrator for an immediate start and to provide services through at least July 30, 2027.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a finance-related field required, Master's Degree in an accounting/finance field preferred.
• Licensed in good standing as a Massachusetts School Business Administrator and a minimum of three years of experience in school finance.
• Exemplary computer skills, including the ability to manage and create formula-driven Excel spreadsheets/charts, knowledge of multi-use financial applications, and strong experience with most applications of Google Workspace.
• Experience with and a working knowledge of MUNIS financial software and Aspen student Information System.

• Strong interpersonal skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills, for the purpose of evaluating situations, solving problems, and/or resolving conflicts.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, and analytical skills. 
• Ability to recognize and resolve discrepancies with minimal assistance.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member to prioritize needs and meet deadlines.
• Sound judgment in handling confidential and sensitive student and employee information.
• Demonstrated willingness to adjust to the changing needs of the school department, with the flexibility to meet those needs.
• Understanding of the organizational and operational needs of a public school system.
• Knowledge of and experience in personnel administration, municipal finance, public school food services, school transportation, and building operations.
• Understanding of Massachusetts General Laws relating to school business practices, school personnel, school building assistance, and the Massachusetts procurement laws.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent of Schools may find appropriate and acceptable.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include but are not limited to:

• Supports all aspects of the school department's fiscal operations including budget development and entry, creation and management of the general ledger chart of accounts, fiscal analysis and reporting (local, state and federal)
• Creates all grant and special funds/accounts in the MUNIS financial software system
• Supervises and monitors payroll records and disbursement and develops payroll forecasts
• Monitors and signs all purchase orders to determine correctness of information, available funds and account information
• Approves all invoices for payment
• Assumes responsibility for the internal management and administration of the District's finances, including budgeting, budget transfers and adjustments, purchasing, accounting and payroll functions, in accordance with School Committee policy, state and federal laws and regulations
• Develops, in conjunction with the Superintendent, building administrators and department managers, the FY28 operational budget for the District, and participates in presenting that budget to the School Committee and the public
• Works directly with the school principals and central office administrators in all matters pertaining to the business aspects of the school system
• Holds school principals accountable for school site budgets
• Supports the Superintendent in advising and/or monitoring collective bargaining negotiations and contracts with respect to estimated costs and budget implications
• Advises the Superintendent on the development of district goals to address budget and related financial/business operations
• Provides the School Committee, Superintendent, and other management staff with appropriate financial information to assist in the decision-making process, including collective bargaining
• Ensures the District's compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing budgeting, finance. and accounting
• Assists in training all business office personnel
• Attends all School Committee meetings, Town Meetings, and other meetings as requested
• Serves as the district's procurement officer
• Serves as inter-departmental liaison to the town departments on financial and budgetary matters, including taking all documentation to Town Hall (payroll, accounts payable and fund turnovers)
• Assists and responds to District auditors during periodic and comprehensive fiscal audits
• Supervises fiscal management control and auditing of all federal and state grants, revolving accounts, gift accounts and student activity accounts
• Performs all financial reporting requirements with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) officials regarding End of Year Report data
• Manages the food service program contract and works with the Food Service Management Company (FSMC) to provide breakfast and school lunch that is consistent with federal and state laws and policies of the district
• Completes all DESE audits and financial requirements for the School Nutrition Program
• Works with the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds to coordinate facility management and provide support related to school operations including facility and capital improvement projects
• Supervises all aspects of procurement including: all bid documents, notice and instructions to bidders, specification development, analysis and recommendations for bid awards and contracts under M.G.L., Chapter 30B
• Adheres to the adopted policies of the Seekonk School Department
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Full time 8 AM to 4 PM with evening meetings as required

 

COMPENSATION RANGE:

$120,000-$135,000 per year prorated to start date or up to $520 per diem

Eligible for all benefits available to Town of Seekonk employees.

 

EVALUATION:

Formal evaluations will be performed annually by the Superintendent of Schools, with input from stakeholders including administrators, faculty, staff, and the School Committee.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.  The Seekonk Public Schools strives to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment in which all students can thrive and succeed in its schools. The Seekonk Public Schools prohibits discrimination on the basis of  race, to include traits historically associated with race, including, but  not limited to, hair texture, hair type, hair length and protective hairstyles, sex, age, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, limited English proficiency, sexual orientation, pregnancy or  pregnancy related conditions or homelessness. and ensures that all students have equal rights of access and equal enjoyment of the opportunities, advantages, privileges, and courses of study.