A Conversation with CASBO President Jamie Dial: Why School Business Leaders Are More Vital Than Ever

05/22/20 • 24 min

Students, families, communities -- our entire society -- we're facing tough times. During such times, California's public schools are more vital than ever -- and schools depend on talented, knowledgeable school business officials to keep all aspects of our education system functioning smoothly and safely.
In this episode, Jamie Dial, CASBO President and the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Kings County Office of Education, joins us for a timely conversation about school business.
From financial services, payroll, accounting, transportation, and human resources, to child nutrition, special education, risk management, facilities, maintenance & operations, technology, and more, California school business officials support educators and staff on behalf of more than 6 million schoolchildren and their families.
Jamie describes her pathway into school business and helps us explore the profession: What are some of the key challenges? How do leaders stay current on the wide range of pertinent issues, practices and laws? And of course, how can we continue to act and lead effectively in times of crisis such as these?
Jamie also discusses the importance of being a lifelong learner, of mentoring, and the valuable role CASBO has played in her professional development.
You can also listen to Jamie's comments about the California's state budget crisis on our recent episode, "Extreme Budget Turbulence Ahead."
About Jamie
Jamie Dial serves as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the Kings County Office of Education. As CASBO President, she also represents more than 23,000 school business officials throughout the state. Prior to her current position, Jamie served for more than a decade in the Kings County Office of Education and also as a fiscal services specialist at Hanford Elementary School District. She began her career in finance in the retail and merchandising industries before moving into public education. Jamie has also held numerous leadership positions within CASBO. Contact Jamie at [email protected].
About CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders. CASBO is dedicated to promoting excellence and professionalism in all aspects of school business. Founded in 1928, CASBO serves more than 23,000 members by providing certifications and training, promoting business best practices and creating opportunities for professional collaboration. CASBO members represent every facet of school business management and operations. The association offers public school leaders an entire career's worth of growth opportunities.

About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!

About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!

Previous Episode

Extreme Budget Turbulence Ahead: California Schools Brace For A New Jolt

California’s already inadequately funded schools now face the prospect of unprecedented budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, special guests Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, CASBO President Jamie Dial, and school finance guru Rick Simpson help us consider the difficult budget circumstances we find ourselves in -- and how to prepare for the jarring journey ahead.
While there’s no sugarcoating that the financial news is bleak, we also look for rays of optimism and try to remain solutions-oriented. With our guests, we explore some of the proposals Gov. Newsom has put forward and implications of the state's massive budget deficit on local school districts.
Jamie shares some of the biggest challenges school districts face during this unprecedented time. Assemblymember Muratsuchi notes the vital need for additional federal relief, plus he shares a new idea he'll be introducing to try to raise some additional, critically needed revenue. And Rick offers candid advice for the education community about framing the conversation and context when communicating with key state decision makers in dire fiscal times like these.

Note: Gov. Gavin Newsom released his May Revise to the state budget on May 14. It reflects an estimated state budget deficit of $54.3 billion over two year -- and a $19 billion drop in the school funding minimum guarantee since January. For more specific May Revise details, check out CASBO’s News Break. Also be sure to watch the recent webinar with FCMAT's Michael Fine on budget planning during the crisis.

About Our Guests

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) represents California’s 66th Assembly District, located in the South Bay of Los Angeles County. He is a former prosecutor and Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice and a former Torrance School Board member. As a legislator, he has championed efforts to increase the state's overall investment in public education. Full bio.

Jamie Dial serves as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the Kings County Office of Education. She also serves as CASBO President, representing more than 23,000 school business officials throughout the state. Prior to her current position, Jamie served for more than a decade in the Kings County Office of Education and also as a fiscal services specialist at Hanford Elementary School District. She began her career in finance in the retail and merchandising industries before moving into public education. Jamie has also held numerous leadership positions within CASBO.

Before retiring in 2016, Rick Simpson served in senior legislative positions for four decades, including serving for nine Assembly Speakers, two Education Committee Chairs, and a governor. He is highly regarded as an expert in school finance and policy, and played a key role drafting many significant state education budgets and bills.
About CASBOThe California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) is the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders. CASBO is dedicated to promoting excellence and professionalism in all aspects of school business.
Connect with us on Twitter: @CASBO

About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!

Next Episode

Special State Budget Update: What You Should Know Since the May Revise (And What You Can Do)

Catch up quickly on the latest California state budget news with CASBO’s governmental relations team, Sara Bachez and Elizabeth Esquival. They highlight recent legislative reactions and deliberations since the May Revise was released on May 14, as California grapples with closing a massive state budget deficit.
Sara and Elizabeth review key elements of the Governor's proposal, which called for, among other things, a 10 percent cut to the Local Control Funding Formula.
They describe some initial, positive momentum with regard to special education funding and the state providing more flexibility to school districts; plus, they share top concerns raised by CASBO and the state's Education Coalition.
For a detailed description of CASBO's position in response to the May Revise, read CASBO's May Revise Position Letter, released on May 21, 2020. This letter notes that "the proposed state funding for public education will create new barriers to safety, educational attainment and access; yet, schools are critical to reopening the economy that has been severely impacted by COVID-19. In that spirit, CASBO will continue to emphasize that we prioritize the health and safety of our 6 million students and their families, educational staff, and communities."

A recently released Education Coalition letter stated, "Schools cannot physically reopen safely with the funding level that has been proposed in the May Revision."
Sara and Elizabeth also explain next steps in the state budget process and -- importantly -- they set out a call to action for the next two weeks to ensure that the voices and expertise of those who serve in local school districts inform the state's ultimate policy and fiscal decisions surrounding the budget. Be sure to visit the CASBO's Advocacy Page.

PLUS: We premier a new musical piece created especially for this unique moment by Tommy Dunbar. We call it The Coronavirus State Budget Blues. You'll want to turn it up.
About Our Guests

Sara Bachez serves as Chief Governmental Relations Officer for CASBO. Contact her at [email protected].
Elizabeth Esquivel serves as Senior Director, Policy & Governance for CASBO. Contact her at [email protected].
Tommy Dunbar is a professional musician, songwriter and producer. Since the 1970s he has been playing guitar all over the world with his band, The Rubinoos. Tommy handles all all of our sound, mixing and music for the podcast.
About CASBO

About your series guide
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. Contact him at [email protected]. We value your feedback and ideas!