The New York State Education Department recently approved a new certificate program for the Educational Leadership and Supervision Department. The School District Business Leader (SDBL) certificate program is set to launch in fall 2021.
It is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills essential for success in district-wide business leadership positions such as directors or assistant superintendents. This 23-credit program includes an 8-credit internship experience based in a district’s business office.
Individuals with strong math, accounting or business backgrounds are ideally suited for the SDBL program. For those individuals beginning the School District Leader (SDL) program, the SDBL certificate can also be earned by taking two added courses and an extended internship beyond the SDL requirements.
There is a statewide shortage of applicants for open positions as school business officials (SBO’s) and therefore, the SDBL certificate program can lead to a rewarding career in public education. Successful candidates for these positions should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, creativity and effective interpersonal abilities, allowing for success managing business, negotiations and employees serving in diverse roles.
Currently in NYS, there are approximately 753 school business official positions in public school systems who earn:
- Average Salaries by Title:
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- Assistant Superintendent: $180,640
- School Business Manager: $105,466
- Assistant Business Administrator: $139,067
- Average Salary by Certification:
- SDBL: $144,272
- Classified Civil Service: $105,668
These individuals also benefit from being a member of the NYS teachers or NYS civil service retirement systems whose in-service and retirement benefits are among the best in the country.
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Submitted by: Meg Keller-Cogan, EdD, director, Educational Leadership and Supervision Program