THE POSITION

The Superintendent and Governing Board of Ross School District in Ross, California seek their next chief business official (CBO).  Desired is a person with significant expertise and superior interpersonal and communication skills.  The top candidate will demonstrate an open, collaborative, friendly and inclusive style.  The outgoing CBO is retiring after five years of exemplary service.

The Chief Business Official serves as the district’s senior financial and operational leader, responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all business services functions. As a key member of the superintendent’s cabinet, the CBO provides strategic fiscal leadership to support the district’s instructional mission while ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

THE COMMUNITY

The historic town of Ross is located approximately 18 miles north of San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge nestled between Mount Tamalpais, tree-covered hills, and Lake Lagunitas. Ross is 1.6 square miles and has 2,550 residents. Ross Elementary School is a K-8 school that serves 330 students, in a single-site district. It is located at the town center adjacent to Ross Common and a small, charming downtown area.

Ross School reflects small-town pride, an intense appreciation of, and participation in the school, and a tradition of extremely generous support of public education.  Students come from a community of wealthy professionals and artisans steeped in tradition. The community values education and shares common expectations for achievement and culture. Well-educated, socially aware, and politically active parents expect Ross school to provide a rich and challenging environment for their children.

THE DISTRICT

Ross School is an award-winning, dynamic school committed to academic excellence and innovation. Habits of Heart, Mind, and Action are at the core of all decision-making centered on the learner and their experience. Students are expected to apply their thinking and learning in a variety of highly engaging and forward-thinking courses.

The district benefits from a long history of outstanding support from its parents and the broader community, evidenced by the successful passage of multiple parcel taxes and bond measures. The community has passed two bond measures to build a state-of-the-art building and multipurpose facility. Additionally, local members of the Ross community contribute twenty percent of the district’s operating budget, over $1.85 million dollars in Foundation, PTO, and Endowment contributions annually, and the passage of a parcel tax to support innovative programs.

            While the community invests in the school, the Board of Trustees invests in its teachers and other employees. Teachers view teaching and learning as a profession, not a job. Teachers are provided with ongoing and nationally recognized support that includes one-to-one technology integration support, lesson study, academic coaching, and feedback. Teachers are supported to collaborate, innovate, and strategically plan units to ensure that learners are provided a balanced, thoughtful, and rigorous curriculum. Ross School is a vibrant place to learn and grow with a strategic vision and momentum that will continue. 

            The school has recently been designated a National Blue Ribbon School in recognition of high student achievement and academic excellence. Previously the school has been recognized as a California Distinguished School; awarded the prestigious International Literacy Association Award; Civics Education School of Distinction Award by the California Judicial Committee; Tech Savvy Superintendent award (one of seven in the country); and a nominee for the Hearts of Marin for Community Service.  The Trustees, Administration and staff are committed to excellence and work hard to ensure that the future of Ross School will be as vibrant, collaborative, and innovative as it is today with the right CBO in place.

            The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) is the largest funding source for the district, representing 59% of total revenue. The LCFF is comprised of State Aid and Property Taxes. Based on the 2025-26 LCFF calculation for Ross the district will remain a Community Funded or Basic Aid district for the current and two subsequent years.  The Measure C Parcel Tax was placed on the November 8, 2022 ballot with final results confirming a passage of 78.73% for a ten-year term.  A recent PTO auction raised $375,000 in one-time funds that are being used for a variety of purchases to support teachers and students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and administer the district’s annual and multi-year budgets
• Oversee all aspects of district financial operations, including accounting, payroll, purchasing, and audits
• Monitor and forecast revenues, expenditures, and fund balances, with particular attention to basic aid funding dynamics
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local fiscal regulations and reporting requirements
• Serve as a primary fiscal advisor to the superintendent and Board of Education
• Prepare and present clear, accurate financial reports to the Board and community stakeholders
• Oversee business services departments, which may include facilities, maintenance and operations, transportation, food services, and risk management
• Key member with contract negotiations
• Manage vendor relationships
• Develop and maintain internal controls to safeguard district assets
• Supervise, evaluate, and mentor business services staff
• Support labor negotiations and provide financial analysis related to collective bargaining

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, understandable terms
• High ethical standards and a commitment to transparency and integrity
• Effective communicator with diverse audiences
• Collaborative, calm leadership style with the desire and ability to build trust and consensus
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

APPLICATIONS ONLY ACCEPTED ON EDJOIN

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, or a related field would be a plus
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in school district or public-sector finance is desired
• Demonstrated experience in budget development, financial reporting, and fiscal oversight
• Supervisory or management experience would be beneficial

Preferred Qualifications

• CASBO Chief Business Official Certification or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe would be a plus
• Experience in a California basic aid school district
• Knowledge of California school finance, Education Code, and public-sector accounting standards (GASB).

APPLICATIONS ONLY ACCEPTED ON EDJOIN