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School Business Insider

John Brucato

103 episodes

5 days ago

What if school business operations were designed for sustainability — not constant reaction? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Stephen Morales of the Institute for School Business Leadership and leaders from ASBO New York to discuss the launch of the Operational Excellence (OpEx) Pilot Program in New York State. They explore what OpEx is, how data from ASBO New York’s State of the Profession Survey shaped the initiative, and how districts can use OpEx ...

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What if school business operations were designed for sustainability — not constant reaction? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Stephen Morales of the Institute for School Business Leadership and leaders from ASBO New York to discuss the launch of the Operational Excellence (OpEx) Pilot Program in New York State. They explore what OpEx is, how data from ASBO New York’s State of the Profession Survey shaped the initiative, and how districts can use OpEx ...

Show more...

Episodes (20/103)

School Business Insider

Operational Excellence in Practice: ASBO NY and ISBL’s New Pilot

What if school business operations were designed for sustainability — not constant reaction? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Stephen Morales of the Institute for School Business Leadership and leaders from ASBO New York to discuss the launch of the Operational Excellence (OpEx) Pilot Program in New York State. They explore what OpEx is, how data from ASBO New York’s State of the Profession Survey shaped the initiative, and how districts can use OpEx ...

5 days ago

51 minutes

School Business Insider

In this solo, year-in-review episode, host John Brucato reflects on the conversations, themes, and lessons that defined the podcast in 2025 — a year that also saw the release of its 100th episode. John shares highlights from across the year, explores the biggest themes shaping school business leadership, and offers a candid look at what he’s hearing from colleagues in the field. He also dives into the numbers behind the show, including 16,798 downloads in 2025, listeners across the U.S. and a...

1 week ago

19 minutes

School Business Insider

Different Paths, Shared Lessons: Early Leadership as a School Business Official

Every school business official remembers their first few years — the learning curve, the pressure, and the moments that shape who they become as leaders. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by John Fink of Cornwall Central School District and Chris Carballo of Highland Falls–Fort Montgomery CSD — two relatively new SBOs who came to the role from very different professional paths. They reflect on mentorship, work–family balance, business office culture, coll...

2 weeks ago

46 minutes

School Business Insider

The State of School Employee Healthcare: Costs, Culture & the Road Ahead

Healthcare costs continue to rise, and employee expectations are evolving just as quickly. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Eric Gilbert and Adam Hensen from Daybright Financial to break down the state of school employee healthcare in 2025. They discuss the trends driving costs, how employee expectations have changed, and what school business officials can do to balance fiscal responsibility with providing meaningful, competitive benefits. With Eric...

3 weeks ago

49 minutes

School Business Insider

Campus Safety Redefined: District Priorities and Emerging Tech

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with John Vetter, Regional Sales Director at Centegix, to explore how school districts are prioritizing safety, how budgets reflect those decisions, and how wearable technology is shifting the conversation from reaction to readiness. They discuss district perspectives on safety funding, the impact of panic-button wearables, implementation challenges, and what school business officials should focus on now and in the years ...

1 month ago

40 minutes

School Business Insider

Lean On Me: Building Your Professional Network

The most valuable resource in school business isn’t a tool or a budget — it’s the people you can lean on. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Cindy Reilmann, CFO of the Special School District of St. Louis County, to discuss their School Business Now article, “Lean On Me: Building Your Professional Network.” Together, they explore the role of professional connections in building confidence, sharing solutions, and finding community in a complex and demand...

1 month ago

45 minutes

School Business Insider

Navigating Change: A Live Conversation from SBMW

In this special live-recorded episode from SBMW, host John Brucato and co-presenter Ron Clamser lead a candid, interactive session on navigating change in school business operations. Drawing on real stories from districts across New York State, they explore the challenges of staffing turnover, generational differences, technology transitions, AI integration, compliance pressures, and vendor changes. They also share leadership strategies, communication approaches, and practical frameworks to h...

1 month ago

1 hour 7 minutes

School Business Insider

Inside the Governance Task Force: Transparency, Inclusion, and Leadership

Strong governance builds strong organizations — and ASBO International is leading the way. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato talks with members of the ASBO International Governance Task Force — Jim Rowan, Lynn Knight, Sharon Bruce, and Jordan Ely — about how the group is modernizing ASBO’s leadership structure to make it more transparent, inclusive, and effective. They discuss why the task force was created, how it conducted its review, and what its key recommendat...

1 month ago

53 minutes

School Business Insider

Secure 2.0 in Action: Preparing for What’s Now Mandatory

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato reconnects with Michael Linehan (Equitable), Sarah Breiner (U.S. OMNI & TSACG), and Phil Hahn (Security Benefit) to discuss what school business officials need to know now that the mandatory provisions of Secure 2.0 are taking effect. They break down the most important updates, compliance deadlines, and what districts can do today to prepare for smooth implementation. From Roth distributions to student loan matching and hardshi...

2 months ago

48 minutes

School Business Insider

Innovation in Advocacy: How ASBO NY is Using AI to Support Members

One year after his first conversation on AI and innovation, ASBO New York’s Executive Director, Brian Cechnicki, returns to School Business Insider to share how his work has evolved — and what’s next. Host John Brucato reconnects with Brian to explore how ASBO New York is using AI, automation, and data visualization to create practical tools that empower members, enhance transparency, and support state-level advocacy. They discuss lessons learned, new initiatives, and how technology is helpin...

2 months ago

44 minutes

School Business Insider

The Juggle is Real: Lessons in Work, Family, and Identity

Leadership, family, and finding balance — what does it really look like in practice? In this solo episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato steps away from the interviews to share personal reflections on managing family life, leadership, and self in the midst of constant motion. John recently welcomed his second child and offers an honest look at what it means to balance professional ambition with parenting, partnership, and personal identity. It’s a candid, heartfelt reflection o...

2 months ago

27 minutes

School Business Insider

Career Transitions in School Business: Insights from Rubie Harris

Career journeys are never linear — they’re built on experiences, lessons, and sometimes big leaps of faith. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato talks with Rubie Harris, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Management Services at Huntington Union Free School District in New York. With more than a decade of experience in school business, Rubie shares her professional journey, the challenges and opportunities of relocating across the state to a new district, and the...

2 months ago

41 minutes

School Business Insider

Building Up, Not Out: New Approaches to School Facilities

Schools are running out of land—but that doesn’t mean growth has to stop. Vertical design offers a compelling alternative for districts dealing with tight sites, rising costs, and changing educational requirements. In this episode of School Business Insider, we sit down with Kurt Peeters and Matt McGregor of Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc., authors of “The Vertical Advantage.” They take us through the practical, operational, and fiscal benefits of multi‑story school building...

2 months ago

41 minutes

School Business Insider

Why You Can’t Miss AC&E 2025 in Fort Worth

It’s almost time for ASBO International’s Annual Conference & Expo (AC&E 2025), happening October 21–23 in Fort Worth, Texas, with pre-conference workshops on October 20. In this episode, School Business Insider host John Brucato is joined by Cristin Watson, Lori Grooms, and Angie Smith from ASBO International to preview the event. Together, they highlight the theme “Navigate: Leading the Journey to Growth,” spotlight educational sessions and workshops, discuss networking and expo hal...

3 months ago

44 minutes

School Business Insider

Leading the Charge on School Facilities and Infrastructure

School buildings are the backbone of learning environments—but too often, districts lack the funding clarity, planning tools, or support they need to modernize facilities. That’s where the National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) comes in. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Dr. Jeff Vincent, Director of NCSI, and Jo Ann Armstrong, CSBO, Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Belvidere CUSD 100 and NCSI advisory committee member. They explore ...

3 months ago

41 minutes

School Business Insider

Hard Choices, Smarter Schools: Surviving the Big Shrink

Enrollment is shrinking—and the pressure is on. But that doesn’t mean school districts need to cut blindly. It means they need to plan smart. In this episode, Dr. Marguerite Roza of Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab joins School Business Insider to discuss what she calls “The Big Shrink”—a long-term, nationwide enrollment decline—and how school systems can respond with strategy rather than panic. She shares a roadmap for rethinking staffing models, evaluating programs for value, and leadi...

3 months ago

44 minutes

School Business Insider

Lessons in School Safety: What We Can Learn from Tragedy

School safety is not waiting for permission, it’s urgent. In this episode of School Business Insider, John Brucato talks with Frank Guglieri, Director of Regional Safety Services at PNW BOCES, about rapid, real-world responses to recent crises like the Minneapolis school mass shooting and corrective action in cases of credible internal threats. They unpack what happens when crisis hits, what gaps become painfully clear, and how school business officials, operations leaders, CFOs, and SBOs can...

3 months ago

43 minutes

School Business Insider

Inside a Cyber Attack: Lessons for Schools from the Front Lines

Cyber attacks on schools are on the rise — and when they happen, the impact is immediate and long-lasting. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Johnty Mongan, Global Head of Cyber Risk Management at Gallagher Cyber Risk Management. With years of experience responding to some of the most challenging cyber incidents worldwide, Johnty pulls back the curtain on what really happens during an attack — from the first chaotic hours to the long-term fallout for stu...

4 months ago

45 minutes

School Business Insider

Tax Credits, Deadlines, and Your District’s EV Transition Plan

School districts have a unique opportunity to save money as they transition to electric buses and charging infrastructure. Through the federal 45W Clean Vehicle Credit and 30C Refueling Property Credit, districts can access up to $40,000 per bus and $100,000 per charger—but these tax credits are set to expire soon. In this episode of School Business Insider, John Brucato speaks with Katherine Roboff (World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative) and Carolina Chacon Mendoza (Alli...

4 months ago

46 minutes

School Business Insider

Making a Difference in Washington: Reflections from ASBO’s Advocacy Leaders

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with members of ASBO International’s Legislative Advocacy Committee (LAC) — Brandy Smith (Montoursville Area School District, PA), Erik Roush (Columbus City Schools, OH), Chris Smith (Katy ISD, TX), and Brian Cechnicki (ASBO New York). Together, they reflect on the 2025 Legislative Advocacy Conference and share why advocacy at the federal level is essential for protecting school funding and supporting students. From Hill ...

4 months ago

42 minutes