Resource
Schools finance power hour webinar series
A monthly learning session for school district leaders
On the last Friday of every month, hosts Jay Staley and Matt Bubness invite you to discover how you can strengthen your school operations. With a rotating panel of guests, this webinar series will explore a timely new topic each month, sharing best practices and resources to help support your school district.
September 2024
Employment tax! Vexed? Perplexed? It’s complex!
Overwhelmed with the complexities of employment tax regulations and the risks that come with them? You aren’t alone!
Jay Staley and Matt Bubness welcome employment tax specialists Zev Weinstein, Krissa Lietz and Nick Smith to help equip you with a deeper understanding of the complex landscape of employment tax regulations.
In this session, we will map the nuances of employment tax rules, processes and procedures, discuss how to tackle the emerging risks that school districts face and help ensure accurate compliance. As a bonus, we will share methods to proactively protect your school from the scrutiny of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and various other government agencies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and safeguard your institution against potential tax-related challenges.
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Unlock the door to endless learning opportunities. Explore our past webinar recordings today and stay ahead in your industry.
Issuing bonds for school-related projects can be a lengthy and complicated process. Once you receive the proceeds, it's important to have a solid management plan in place. This includes strategies for maximizing interest earnings, as those funds can be vital for covering project-related expenses. In this edition of the Schools Finance Power Hour, Jay Staley and Matt Bubness will be joined by auditors John Compton and John Taylor, investment specialist Jeff Messer and arbitrage compliance specialist Christina Cromer. They will share effective strategies for investing your school district's bond proceeds and best practices for ensuring compliance and arbitrage regulations.
Bond ratings play a crucial role in the marketability of bonds, often making them more attractive to investors and resulting in lower interest rates paid by issuers. Watch this insightful webinar hosted by Jay Staley and Matt Bubness, featuring special guests Lindsay Simonetto and Rachael Westervelt. This webinar is designed to guide you through the intricacies of the bond rating process. You’ll learn about the criteria used by rating agencies to evaluate K-12 school districts, how to effectively prepare for a rating call and factors to consider in choosing a bond rating agency. Additionally, they will discuss ways to enhance your bond rating, including the development of reserve and debt policies. You’ll leave with practical strategies to optimize your school’s credit rating.
Bonds play a pivotal role for the acquisition and improvement of K-12 school facilities, providing funds for new construction, additions, renovations and equipment purchases to enhance campuses and academic programming. In our upcoming event, host Jay Staley welcomes guests Belvia Gray and Tim Sutton to guide us through the intricate world of municipal bonds sales. During this session, they will explore the roles and responsibilities of bond sale participants, differentiate between competitive and negotiated sale methods and discuss critical considerations for each type of sale.
Budgeting is a critical process for K-12 schools. As schools face constant pressure to provide high-quality services with limited resources, effective budgeting becomes essential. In this webinar, Brent Habegger joins Jay and Matt as they explore best practices for school budgeting, examine current market conditions and pressures and review strategies to better align the district’s budget with its strategic goals and objectives.
In the realm of school construction projects, managing risks effectively is crucial to ensure successful outcomes. This webinar delves into the intricacies of construction risk audits specifically tailored for school districts. Whether you’re a school administrator or involved in construction oversight, this session provides valuable insights to enhance your understanding and approach. Join Jay Staley and Matt Bubness as they are joined by industry specialists, Tony Ollmann and Heath Whitaker, to discuss strategies to mitigate construction risk that will help you produce a successful project for your school community.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 is a landmark federal law that aims to curb inflation by investing in domestic energy production and promoting clean energy. The IRA also provides a range of tax incentives and programs that can help schools reduce their energy costs, improve their energy efficiency and adopt renewable energy sources. Eligible projects include geothermal, solar, thermal energy storage tanks, and more. Join Jay and Matt as they welcome Jesse Nelson and Jeremy Buskirk to discover how the IRA can help you achieve your school district’s energy performance and sustainability goals.
K-12 schools in the United States face many funding challenges. During this higher interest rate environment, school districts have been able to invest their funds to generate additional income to support their educational goals. As conversations are intensifying regarding impending interest rate decreases on the horizon, in this edition of the Schools Finance Power Hour Jay and Matt invite specialists Jeff Messer and George Bawcum to share best practices and effective strategies for investing your school district’s funds. You will also hear about the common pitfalls and risks to avoid.
Investment advisory services are offered through Baker Tilly Investment Services, as a Division of Baker Tilly Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser. © 2024 Baker Tilly Wealth Management, LLC
In this month’s session, Jay Staley kicks off the series with Matt Bubness. Together, they share insights on preparing for the expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds in 2024. They discuss sustaining effective programs and strategies using already implemented ESSER funds and how to maximize the impact of your investments.
More resources for school leaders
The information provided here is of general nature and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any individual or entity. In specific circumstances a professional should be sought. Baker Tilly Wealth Management, LLC (BTWM) is a registered investment advisor. BTWM does not provide tax or legal advice. BTWM is not an attorney. Estate planning can involve a complex web of tax rules and regulations. Consider consulting a tax or legal professional about your particular circumstances before implementing any tax or legal strategy. Securities, when offered and transaction advisory services are offered through Baker Tilly Capital, LLC (BTC), Member FINRA and SIPC. BTWM and BTC are affiliated entities controlled by Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP, a tax and advisory firm, trading as Baker Tilly. Baker Tilly is a member of the global network of Baker Tilly International Ltd., the members of which are separate and independent legal entities.
Investment advisory services are offered through Baker Tilly Investment Services, as a Division of Baker Tilly Wealth Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Baker Tilly Wealth Management, LLC is controlled by Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and Baker Tilly US, LLP, trading as Baker Tilly, operate under an alternative practice structure and are members of the global network of Baker Tilly International Ltd., the members of which are separate and independent legal entities. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a licensed CPA firm that provides assurance services to its clients. Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP and its subsidiary entities provide tax and consulting services to their clients and are not licensed CPA firms. ©2024 Baker Tilly Wealth Management, LLC
