School Business Insider

Osad

• 
  How Rising Healthcare Costs Are Reshaping Education 30.06.2026 44min

  Healthcare costs are consuming a growing share of school district budgets—and the consequences extend far beyond employee benefits. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Elleka Yost and Jim Rowan of ASBO International to discuss the findings of a new national report released jointly by ASBO International and AASA: Rising Premiums, Falling Opportunities: The Budgetary Impact of Healthcare Costs on School Districts. Drawing on responses from more than 750 sc...
• 
  What School Leaders Should Expect from Their Vendors 02.06.2026 40min

  Every partnership a school district enters into is built on trust—but that trust extends far beyond the services a vendor provides. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato welcomes Ken Murphy, CEO of Lifetouch, to discuss the evolving responsibilities of organizations that work with schools and have access to student information. The conversation explores student data privacy, cybersecurity, vendor accountability, and how districts can evaluate partners beyond cost and s...
• 
  The Impact You Leave Behind 19.05.2026 52min

  What does a life of service look like? In this special episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with longtime colleague, mentor, and friend Mike Vespi as he prepares to retire after a distinguished career in school business. Recently recognized with ASBO New York's Philip B. Friedenberg Memorial Award for Outstanding Service, Mike reflects on the journey that brought him into the profession, the mentors who shaped his leadership, his experiences in both the public and p...
• 
  What Nobody Knows About School Business Insider Host John Brucato 12.05.2026 1t 13min

  What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee? In this special episode of School Business Insider, longtime guest and AI thought leader and CEO of flowlyst, Aziz Aghayev turns the microphone around and interviews host John Brucato. John reflects on his unexpected journey from aspiring technology professional to school business leader, podcast host, and entrepreneur. He shares how he entered school business with little experience, the mentors who shaped his career, the launch and g...
• 
  Speaking the Same Language in School Construction 05.05.2026 43min

  Successful school construction projects depend on more than design and funding — they depend on communication. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Matt McGregor and Nichole Schwietzer of Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction to discuss their School Business Now article, “Speaking the Same Language: Helping School Leaders Navigate Design and Construction Conversations.” They explore the communication gaps that can arise between school leaders and pr...
• 
  Self-Advocacy in School Business: Finding Your Voice 28.04.2026 38min

  No school business official succeeds alone — and learning to advocate for yourself is part of the journey. In this episode of School Business Insider, recorded at the PNW BOCES Regional Institute, host John Brucato speaks with Robert Doyle, School Business Official at East Quogue UFSD, about self-advocacy, mentorship, and professional growth. Drawing from his personal reflection on his first three years in the role, Robert shares candid insights on the challenges of stepping into school busin...
• 
  Why AI Fluency Is Becoming a Career Requirement 21.04.2026 43min

  AI may not replace school business officials — but it may reshape who stands out. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Aziz Agayev to discuss why AI is becoming more than a productivity tool for school business leaders. They explore how AI fluency can increase marketability, improve day-to-day effectiveness, and help professionals remain competitive in a changing job market. The conversation also highlights practical uses of Claude for Excel, PowerPoint, ...
• 
  Succession Planning Isn’t Optional Anymore 14.04.2026 42min

  Succession planning isn’t just about filling roles — it’s about protecting your district. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Bob Bayles and Will Lukang to discuss how succession planning must evolve from a reactive task into a strategic leadership priority. They explore leadership risk, mentorship, and the importance of developing future leaders through intentional coaching — especially during high-impact moments. This conversation offers practical insi...
• 
  Behind the Scenes: Building the ASBO NY Summit 07.04.2026 46min

  What does it take to bring one of New York’s premier school business conferences to life? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Amanda Wing and Rebecca Sheehan from ASBO New York to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the Education Summit & Expo. They discuss the planning process, how sessions and speakers are selected, and what attendees can expect from this year’s event. From logistics to programming to the overall attendee experience, this conversat...
• 
  Adequacy, Equity, and Effort: Breaking Down School Finance 31.03.2026 46min

  Does money really matter in education? The data says yes — but how it’s distributed matters even more. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Dr. Bruce Baker, a leading expert in education finance, to break down the findings from his latest report, The Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems. They explore national trends in school funding, the persistent inequities across districts and student populations, and why many states are still falli...
• 
  Designing Better Leaders: Insights from an Olympian 24.03.2026 43min

  Great leadership doesn’t happen by accident — it’s designed. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with John Coyle, leadership expert, design thinking practitioner, and Olympic silver medalist, to explore how leaders can become more intentional in their work. Drawing from his experience in elite athletics and organizational leadership, John shares insights on storytelling, human-centered design, and how leaders can approach challenges with greater clarity and...
• 
  Schools and Town Halls: Building Strong Municipal Relationships 17.03.2026 42min

  Strong school districts depend on strong partnerships with their communities — and that includes local government. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Adam Tarquini, Chief of Finance & Operations for West Springfield Public Schools in Massachusetts, about the importance of building productive relationships between school districts and their municipalities. They explore how transparency, education, and collaboration with city and town leaders can stren...
• 
  The Fiscal Squeeze: Property Taxes and School Choice in Ohio 10.03.2026 44min

  What happens when a district’s primary revenue source is under debate? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Dr. Erik Roush, Executive Director of Financial Affairs for Columbus City Schools, about the evolving fiscal and political landscape in Ohio. They discuss proposed property tax reforms — including a constitutional amendment effort to repeal property taxes — the continued challenge of fully funding the state’s school funding formula, and the financial...
• 
  Leading Forward: Why Serve on the ASBO International Board 03.03.2026 46min

  Leadership in our profession doesn’t just happen locally — it also happens at the governance level. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Scott Gooding and Tera Van Dyke, candidates for the ASBO International Board, about their professional journeys and why they’re stepping forward to serve. They discuss the role of the ASBO International Board, the importance of governance, and their vision for supporting members and advancing the profession. This episode ...
• 
  Federal Priorities, Texas Realities 24.02.2026 40min

  In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Christopher Smith, CFO of Katy Independent School District and Chair of ASBO International’s Federal Advocacy Advisory Committee. They explore how federal advocacy priorities are developed, the key issues facing school districts nationally, and how those policies translate into real fiscal and operational challenges in Texas. This conversation offers insight into the intersection of leadership, advocacy, and district...
• 
  The Hidden Budget Pressure: Skilled Trades and School Operations 17.02.2026 41min

  Skilled trades are no longer just an operational concern — they’re a strategic budget issue. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Chuck Luchen, retired National Strategic Account Director at Staples Business, to discuss why skilled trades must be part of school districts’ financial planning for 2026–2027. Based on Chuck’s School Business Now article, the conversation explores workforce shortages, rising costs, deferred maintenance risks, and how school bu...
• 
  Does Advocacy Work? Lessons from ASBO New York Advocacy Day 10.02.2026 45min

  In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Dr. Ron Clamser of Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES to reflect on ASBO New York’s Advocacy Day and examine what makes advocacy effective for school business officials. They discuss the advocacy process, legislator reactions to ASBO New York’s priority list, and the realities behind issues like Foundation Aid, UPK mandates, zero-emission bus requirements, and local efficiencies. The conversation also tackles the big qu...
• 
  Building Confidence with AI: Frameworks, Tools, and Real Use Cases 03.02.2026 1t 2min

  AI adoption in schools is no longer theoretical — it’s happening, unevenly and imperfectly, across the public sector. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Aziz Agayev and Jamal Amanoa of flowlyst to discuss what AI adoption really looks like in education and public-sector organizations today. They explore common challenges and concerns, practical use cases that are saving time and reducing rework, and lessons learned from districts already using AI. The c...
• 
  The New Reality of Student Data Privacy 27.01.2026 46min

  Student privacy is no longer a background issue — it’s a front-line leadership challenge. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Amelia Vance, President of the Public Interest Privacy Center, to unpack the rapidly changing student privacy landscape. They explore the patchwork of federal and state privacy laws, recent enforcement actions, growing scrutiny of AI and edtech, and rising parental concerns about data collection and consent. Amelia also shares pra...
• 
  Powering Learning: Energy Projects as Living Laboratories 20.01.2026 39min

  Energy projects in schools can do more than reduce costs — they can create powerful learning opportunities. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato talks with Dawn Johnson, Director of Customer Engagement at OPTERRA Energy Services, about how school districts can leverage energy initiatives to support sustainability, STE(A)M education, and community engagement. They explore how clean energy projects become living laboratories for students, how priorities around energy ha...