What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part-Time Executive Director of School Finance Research Foundation position at Michigan Association of School Boards?
Deadline: May 11, 2023
District/Organization: Oakland Schools
Position/Type: Central Office – 1st Line Admin, full time
Position Details
April 25, 2023
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT: POSITION OPENING
Part-Time Executive Director of School Finance Research Foundation
EFFECTIVE: June 1, 2023, Contracted two (2) year position
SALARY DETAILS: Salary is commensurate with experience and a specific compensation
package will be discussed with the candidate upon their selection.
IN THIS ROLE:
Provide strategic vision, leadership, and administration to accomplish the goals of a coalition,
including 12 Michigan Intermediate School Districts (ISD) and Regional Education Service Agencies
(RESA), as it undertakes a groundbreaking study of Michigan’s school infrastructure. The Executive
Director will work with the School Finance Research Foundation (SFRF) Board of Directors and
strategic counsel, in collaboration with a project manager/firm and research partners from the
private sector, to oversee study parameters and deliver a final report to the Michigan Legislature
that positions the SFRF externally and internally as a school community leader and partner that
enables students, and those who serve them, to achieve their highest outcomes by providing an indepth look at conditions of every school building in Michigan.
- Develop and execute strategic vision and implementation of a comprehensive statewide
forth by the legislature.
- Strategically position SFRF, manage messages at all levels and develop strategies to help
successfully communicating the agency’s core values as its lead spokesperson.
- Provide leadership and oversight of the day-to-day efforts of the SFRF.
- Work closely with SFRF’s Board of Directors and strategic counsel to supervise the design
- Provide oversight to ensure the project meets agreed upon timelines and adheres to the
- Collaborate with the SFRF’s strategic counsel to ensure state officials are kept up to date on
- Strengthen partnerships identified in the private sector to conduct research objectives at
- Work with school officials from across the state to get approval of research work in their
- Oversee the management of the SFRF’s operating budget, with approval of the Board of
School Finance Research Foundation
- Meet with educators, school boards, business groups, community groups and others to
- Identify additional organizational needs to achieve goals and make recommendations to the
- Consult and approve the final report for the Michigan Legislature, with signoff from the
recommendations.
- Support SFRF constituents with crisis communication support.
- Other duties as directed.
RELATIONSHIPS & CONTACTS:
INTERNAL
This position reports to the SFRF Board of Directors. Regular involvement with coalition leadership
and partners on joint projects and team efforts.
EXTERNAL
Frequent contact with other ISDs, Michigan Department of Education, School Finance Research
Collaborative, State Committee and Task Force members, and leadership. Frequent contact with
Superintendents and State Leadership Networks.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
SFRF Co-Chairs: Wayne RESA Superintendent Dr. Daveda Colbert and Oakland Schools
Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
Coalition of 12 Michigan ISD Superintendents, in relation to implementation of the statewide school
infrastructure study.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s Degree required with a focus in finance, project management, education,
- Master’s Degree preferred.
- Minimum of seven (7) or more years of experience working in education administration, or
- Must have experience demonstrating strong leadership skills, preferably with a background
- Demonstrated expertise and political acumen with leading a diverse coalition of
School Finance Research Foundation
- The ability to manage multiple projects at once and the ability to seek out, prioritize and
- An understanding of the complexity of finance and budget management, education, and the
- Strong writing, presentation and speaking skills.
- Political savvy and the ability to understand the nuances of issues and how those issues are
- Poise in unexpected, demanding, or difficult circumstances with a variety of stakeholders.
- Exceptional leadership and management skills.
- Demonstrated skill working with diverse populations across multiple content areas required.
- Proficiency in using the Microsoft Windows desktop operating system and Windows-based
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:
The School Finance Research Foundation (SFRF) is a 501c (3) nonprofit organization that was
formed to conduct – under agreement with the School Finance Research Collaborative (SFRC) – a
statewide school infrastructure study as outlined in section 11(y) of the 2022-2023 School Aid
Budget.
The first efforts the SFRC were to undertake a groundbreaking adequacy study to determine not
only the true cost of providing a quality education to all students, regardless of income, location, or
other circumstances, but identify better funding formulas that take into consideration geographic
cost differences and the unique needs of every student in Michigan.
Since releasing its report in early 2018, the SFRC recommendations have been held as the gold
standard of how Michigan can – and should – better meet the needs of our schools and our
students. Its work has earned wide praise and agreement from educators & business leaders alike
that the SFRC’s plan represents our state’s best path forward for funding our public schools, with
multiple studies released since affirming the SFRC’s work.
The SFRC has updated both its initial report in 2021 to reflect new costs schools are facing as well
as completed a groundbreaking look at the transportation costs schools incur and provide
recommendations on a funding model. This latest project, being conducted through the SFRF,
would complete the original goals of the SFRC by undertaking a comprehensive study of Michigan’s
school infrastructure and report back to the Michigan Legislature with its findings and
recommendations.
LOCATION:
Office space is available in Lansing; however, the day-to-day work of the position can be done
remotely. This position will require travel within Michigan to meet with individuals and groups, as
needed, to build collaboration and approval toward the project’s goals.
School Finance Research Foundation
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references via email to
hr@oakland.k12.mi.us by the close of business on May 10, 2023.
Any questions about the position can be emailed to hr@oakland.k12.mi.us
USE OF THIS POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all
the duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or special conditions associated with this position.
E-mail: kyle.kucik@oakland.k12.mi.us
Attachments: Executive-Director-of-School-Finance-Research-Foundation-Job-Posting-003.pdf
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