Searchin public education resources overseen by California school business leaders
Earn Distinction as a Strategist for Today's Education Landscape
$117 Billion
30 Leaders
in a selective statewide cohort
10 Months
of executive-level learning, coaching, and strategic application
4 Intensives
including executive sessions at Stanford University
California’s education landscape demands more than technical proficiency. It requires school business leaders who can operate as strategic partners in shaping district decisions and improving student outcomes.
Senior school business executives are expected to influence strategy, engage in complex policy conversations, lead high-stakes negotiations, and design long-term fiscal sustainability under increasing public scrutiny—often in isolation, without a trusted network of peers operating at the same level.
The Strategic School Business Leadership Academy was created to change that.
This capstone executive experience brings together a selective cohort of California’s most experienced leaders to strengthen system-level decision-making, deepen strategic influence, and build a lasting professional network grounded in trust and shared purpose.
Completion signals earned distinction as a strategic architect of public resources, advancing both the profession and outcomes for students across California.
What It Means to Lead at the Highest Level:
- Elevated strategic thinking — the ability to operate at the systems level, not just the operational one
- Policy fluency — confidence shaping and engaging in high-stakes policy conversations, not just implementing decisions
- Fiscal vision — designing long-term sustainability strategies, not just managing budgets
- Negotiation sophistication — leading complex, multi-stakeholder negotiations with confidence and skill
- Executive judgment — making consequential decisions under public scrutiny, ambiguity, and competing pressures
- Architectural leadership — the capacity to design the structures, systems, and strategies that others execute
Application via SparkHire will guide you through a resume upload and creation of a 3-minute video. Deadline is May 18.
“We are preparing experienced leaders to move beyond compliance-driven management and operate as strategic partners at the cabinet table—guiding policy, shaping negotiations, and driving long-term fiscal strategy in service of student outcomes—while also connecting them to a vetted, high-performing network of peers who learn, challenge, and lead together.”
– Geoffrey M Cox, Stanford Graduate School of Education
Ideal Candidates Include:
- Chief Business Officials
- Deputy Superintendents
- Associate Superintendents
- Senior business executives responsible for districtwide fiscal leadership
Why It Matters to Superintendents
As fiscal complexity and governance demands continue to grow, the Academy strengthens the partnership between superintendents and their school business leaders. It is a strategic investment in district leadership capacity.
Ask Us
Webinar Tuesday, April 28
Hear directly from program leadership, gain insight into the experience, and ask questions about fit, expectations, and the application.
Questions & Assistance
Program Dates & Information
Program sessions are hosted at Stanford University, CASBO’s CBO Symposium, CASBO’s Annual Conference, as well as virtually.
10 month Timeline
- Aug 31–Sept 4, 2026 | Kick-off + Module 1: Coherence & Equity
2.5 days at Stanford University - Sept 23–24, 2026 | Coaching Sessions 3–6
4 hours on one day, choose Virtual or On-site - Nov 16, 2026 | Module 2: Current Events, Enrollment & Cost Behavior
1 day at CBO Symposium, Pasadena - Dec 14–17, 2026 | Module 3: Shared Interests & Labor Negotiations
2.5 days at Stanford University - Jan 19–22 or Feb 2–5, 2027 | Coaching Sessions 10–13
4 hours on one day, choose Virtual or On-site - Mar 9–12, 2027 | Module 4: Systems Change & Mitigating Compliance
2.5 days at Stanford University - Apr 6–9, 2027 | Graduation + Capstone Presentations
4 days at CASBO Annual Conference, Sacramento
Format
- Four in-person executive intensive sessions
- Ongoing executive coaching and mentorship
- Applied capstone project addressing a real district challenges
Pricing
- Program costs are $12,000
- Price does not include food, travel or hotel for sessions
- Price does not include registration to CASBO Con and CBO Symposium
Faculty Leadership
Webinar Tuesday, April 28
Hear directly from program leadership, gain insight into the experience, and ask questions about fit, expectations, and the application.
FAQs
No. Admission is application-based and highly selective.
Experienced school business executives currently serving in senior leadership roles with districtwide responsibility.
Participants who successfully complete the Institute receive a formal certificate issued in collaboration with Stanford Graduate School of Education and CASBO.
The Business Executive Leadership (BEL) program is designed for leaders transitioning into executive roles and focuses on building readiness for senior-level leadership.
This Strategic School Business Leadership (SSBL) Academy is designed for experienced executives who are already operating at a high level and are ready to deepen their strategic influence, operate with greater sophistication, and lead at the highest levels of district decision-making.
The SSBL Academy costs $12,000. This price does not include food, travel or hotel for sessions, or registration costs for CASBO Con and CBO Symposium.
For questions or assistance, contact:
Lauren Galbraith
Program Manager
cboacademy@casbo.org
