As part of my interview process for my new job as the Chief Financial and Operations Officer for Southfield Public Schools, I completed a first 90 Days Plan. Today is Day 90. For this blog, I’m going to look back on my 90 Day Plan and evaluate where I am.

Learning Goals:

  • Schedule introductory meetings with the Superintendent and the rest of the Superintendent’s Cabinet to learn how I can help make their lives easier. DONE
  • Schedule introductory meetings with my direct reports to hear their perspectives and determine how I can best help them succeed and grow in their roles. DONE
  • Schedule introductory meeting with finance and operations staff members to gather their thoughts and learn about SPS from the people on the front line. I meet with all of the members of the finance staff regularly. On the operations side, I have only met with the Operations Director. I should schedule time with his Administrative Assistant and Assistant Director.
  • Schedule an introductory meeting with the Board Treasurer to gain the Board’s perspective. The Superintendent requested all conversations with the Board go through her.
  • Spend team with Academics and Intense Student Support to learn more about their challenges, needs and funding issues. DONE
  • Spend team with Human Resources to learn about SPS’ Position Management. This is completed. I should acknowledge the Director of Finance Operations has a much better handle of Position Management than I do, which is fine.
  • Review the 2018-2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report DONE
  • Review the 2019-2020 Adopted Budget, fall student count and year-to-date expenditures. DONE
  • Review financial data for the past five to seven years We only have two years of data in our new financial system. I reviewed recent audits to gain some idea. We’ll say DONE.
  • Devote large blocks of time to the operations staff to familiarize myself with their daily processes. No, but I learned I need to manage at a macro level rather than being involved at a day-to-day level.
  • Sign up for MSBO Chief Financial Officer Certification Program DONE
  • Implement plans to address audit findings. DONE
  • Discuss the current budget process with the Superintendent to determine her desired budget process. DONE
  • Bring my discussion notes from with the Superintendent back to the financial team and begin modifying the budget process to meet Dr. Green’s vision. The Director of Finance Services and I know the desired process (Zero Based Budgeting). The process needs to be developed.
  • Review processes and procedures to identify areas where SPS could be at the forefront of possible innovation. We are attempting to become more digital and automated. However, it feels like we are more trying to catch up with other districts rather than be at the forefront.

Performance Goals:

  • Develop plans to address and correct all audit findings by the end of my first 30 days. DONE
  • Submit all necessary monthly financial reports accurately and timely. DONE
  • Prepare a budget amendment if necessary, based upon fall count, material budget assumption modifications or year-to-date budget variances. DONE
  • Have a finished draft budget development process for Dr. Green’s review. NOT DONE. This is at the top of the to-do list.
  • Implementation of the new budget development process. SEE PRECEDING
  • Formation of a cross-functional team to address at least one area of opportunity. Cross-functional teams meet regularly to discuss existing issues rather than addressing areas of opportunities.

I accomplished more of my goals than I thought. This exercise was not quite as painful as I thought it was going to be.

On the other hand, we need to finalize the Budget Development Process, and we will in the next couple of weeks. Budget is my specialty and strength. I’m excited about the process we are going to develop.

Furthermore, I’m hoping to make Key Performance Indicators more apart of the Business Office’s daily routines. This is something to shoot for over the next 90 days.

In addition over the next 90 days, I’m hoping we continue to modernize our processes, and, if an opportunity presents itself, we become innovators and ahead the curve in some area.

Overall, I’m grateful for this opportunity, learned a lot and met a lot of wonderful people along the way. The next 90 days are going to be even better.