The responsibilities of independent school business officers are too much for any individual to fully grasp from day one. How do you know that your school’s business operations are following baseline practices in governance, finance, operations and human resources? How do you identify red flags? And if you’re confident your school has the basics down, how do you show you’re operating at a higher level?
Enter NBOA’s “Practical Guidance for Independent School Business Operations,” which helps school leaders determine where their school’s business operations may need immediate attention, are sufficient or are exemplary. Newly updated in the areas of cybersecurity, governance succession, environmental sustainability, wellness, DEI and long-range financial planning , “Practical Guidance” is especially useful for:
- School leaders preparing for accreditation
- Business leaders looking to benchmark business operations practices
- Business leaders new to the world of independent schools
- School leaders looking to fulfill their fiduciary duties
In an interactive PDF format, school leaders determine where their school falls within each guideline — baseline, red flag or exemplary — and can take notes within the tool to determine where they should prioritize their focus. You won't find such a comprehensive and thoroughly vetted resource on independent school business operations anywhere else.
Released: 2026
