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by Jay C. Toland (Author)
Public School Finance Decoded, Second Edition demystifies one of education's most complex and misunderstood topics-how financial decisions shape student achievement. Written from the perspective of an experienced chief financial officer, the book bridges the gap between finance officers, educators, and policymakers by translating budgets, audits, and ratios into clear, actionable strategies that drive learning results.
This fully updated edition explores the financial ecosystem of public schools-from staffing and school-level budgeting to transportation, child nutrition, maintenance, and technology. Each chapter blends research, real-world data, and case studies drawn from actual district experiences, illustrating how effective financial leadership improves outcomes. Designed for both specialists and non-specialists, the book includes reflection prompts and discussion questions to support professional learning and graduate coursework. With practical tools, federal funding updates (ESSER, Title programs), and efficiency indicators, Public School Finance Decoded empowers superintendents, principals, board members, and business officers to align every dollar with the district's mission: advancing student achievement through sound financial stewardship.Author Biography
Jay Toland is a chief financial officer with more than fifteen years of experience in public school and local government finance. He has served as CFO and Associate Superintendent for Business Operations in multiple North Carolina districts, earning recognition from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for excellence in budgeting and financial reporting. A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and School Finance Officer (SFO), Toland is known for connecting strategic financial leadership to measurable gains in student achievement.
