As senior director of business services for the Placer County Office of Education (PCOE), Laura Lilley leads a team that provides oversight and support for the county’s 16 school districts. The role requires her to troubleshoot to support district’s big and small – and often, think on her feet.

For example, one day, Lilley l got a call from one of Placer County’s smallest districts. The district was struggling with deficit spending and needed to make some changes. The CBO thought being designated a necessary small district could help. Lilley talked the CBO through the rules about necessary small districts, how to qualify for funding and the process the district needed to follow. Her help brought the district over $100,000 in additional funding, enough to hire another teacher.

“The districts aren’t calling you for the easy stuff,” says Lilley. “In those small districts, business managers in CBO roles are wearing a lot of hats; they just need someone to talk it through with. That’s the best part of my day – problem-solving.”

Lilley honed her problem-solving skills early in her career with a multinational trading company that imported Nike products. Soon, she had four children, including twins, and chose to stay at home with them. While a stay-at-home mom, Lilley volunteered as treasurer for PTA and many other organizations.

When her kids were older, Lilley took a job at the El Dorado County Office of Education as an accountant where she began participating in CASBO professional development. She quickly realized she was in the right place, and that a career in school business was a perfect fit.

Lilley went through the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team’s (FCMAT) CBO Mentor Program, and has been with PCOE for seven years.

“My mom says that I’m a bit of a frustrated teacher. Plus, two of my daughters work in special education,” she says. “Coming to a county office, I’m more removed from the students. Working in district support, it can be hard to see the difference we make day-to-day. I try to remember that if I impact 16 districts who then impact their students, that’s what I’m here for.”

Lilley also makes an impact through her work on CASBO’s Legislative Committee, which she joined during the COVID-19 pandemic and now chairs. The committee has always played a vital role in advocating on behalf of education and advising legislators on the potential impacts of bills. Recently, the committee has seen an increase in legislators reaching out for input from school business leaders.

“We strive to help the Legislature understand how legislation impacts all districts, big and small. With great power comes great responsibility,” Lilley says. “We want to make sure all districts have a voice. Service is the reason I’m in my job at Placer County and with CASBO. I care about students and what’s best for them.”