School Business Insider

Healthcare costs are consuming a growing share of school district budgets—and the consequences extend far beyond employee benefits. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Elleka Yost and Jim Rowan of ASBO International to discuss the findings of a new national report released jointly by ASBO International and AASA: Rising Premiums, Falling Opportunities: The Bud...

Every partnership a school district enters into is built on trust—but that trust extends far beyond the services a vendor provides. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato welcomes Ken Murphy, CEO of Lifetouch, to discuss the evolving responsibilities of organizations that work with schools and have access to student information. The conversation explores student data privacy...

What does a life of service look like? In this special episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with longtime colleague, mentor, and friend Mike Vespi as he prepares to retire after a distinguished career in school business. Recently recognized with ASBO New York's Philip B. Friedenberg Memorial Award for Outstanding Service, Mike reflects on the journey that brought hi...

What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee? In this special episode of School Business Insider , longtime guest and AI thought leader and CEO of flowlyst, Aziz Aghayev turns the microphone around and interviews host John Brucato. John reflects on his unexpected journey from aspiring technology professional to school business leader, podcast host, and entrepreneur. He shares how he e...

Successful school construction projects depend on more than design and funding — they depend on communication. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Matt McGregor and Nichole Schwietzer of Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction to discuss their School Business Now article, “Speaking the Same Language: Helping School Leaders Navigate Design and Construction...

No school business official succeeds alone — and learning to advocate for yourself is part of the journey. In this episode of School Business Insider, recorded at the PNW BOCES Regional Institute, host John Brucato speaks with Robert Doyle, School Business Official at East Quogue UFSD, about self-advocacy, mentorship, and professional growth. Drawing from his personal reflection on his first three...

AI may not replace school business officials — but it may reshape who stands out. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Aziz Agayev to discuss why AI is becoming more than a productivity tool for school business leaders. They explore how AI fluency can increase marketability, improve day-to-day effectiveness, and help professionals remain competitive in a chang...

Succession planning isn’t just about filling roles — it’s about protecting your district. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Bob Bayles and Will Lukang to discuss how succession planning must evolve from a reactive task into a strategic leadership priority. They explore leadership risk, mentorship, and the importance of developing future leaders through inte...

What does it take to bring one of New York’s premier school business conferences to life? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Amanda Wing and Rebecca Sheehan from ASBO New York to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the Education Summit & Expo. They discuss the planning process, how sessions and speakers are selected, and what attendees can expect from th...

Does money really matter in education? The data says yes — but how it’s distributed matters even more. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Dr. Bruce Baker, a leading expert in education finance, to break down the findings from his latest report, The Adequacy and Fairness of State School Finance Systems. They explore national trends in school funding, the pe...

Great leadership doesn’t happen by accident — it’s designed. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with John Coyle, leadership expert, design thinking practitioner, and Olympic silver medalist, to explore how leaders can become more intentional in their work. Drawing from his experience in elite athletics and organizational leadership, John shares insights on stor...

Strong school districts depend on strong partnerships with their communities — and that includes local government. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Adam Tarquini, Chief of Finance & Operations for West Springfield Public Schools in Massachusetts, about the importance of building productive relationships between school districts and their municipalities....

What happens when a district’s primary revenue source is under debate? In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Dr. Erik Roush, Executive Director of Financial Affairs for Columbus City Schools, about the evolving fiscal and political landscape in Ohio. They discuss proposed property tax reforms — including a constitutional amendment effort to repeal property taxes...

Leadership in our profession doesn’t just happen locally — it also happens at the governance level. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato speaks with Scott Gooding and Tera Van Dyke, candidates for the ASBO International Board, about their professional journeys and why they’re stepping forward to serve. They discuss the role of the ASBO International Board, the importance o...

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato sits down with Christopher Smith, CFO of Katy Independent School District and Chair of ASBO International’s Federal Advocacy Advisory Committee. They explore how federal advocacy priorities are developed, the key issues facing school districts nationally, and how those policies translate into real fiscal and operational challenges in Te...

Skilled trades are no longer just an operational concern — they’re a strategic budget issue. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Chuck Luchen, retired National Strategic Account Director at Staples Business, to discuss why skilled trades must be part of school districts’ financial planning for 2026–2027. Based on Chuck’s School Business Now article, the conve...

In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Dr. Ron Clamser of Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES to reflect on ASBO New York’s Advocacy Day and examine what makes advocacy effective for school business officials. They discuss the advocacy process, legislator reactions to ASBO New York’s priority list, and the realities behind issues like Foundation Aid, UPK mandates,...

AI adoption in schools is no longer theoretical — it’s happening, unevenly and imperfectly, across the public sector. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Aziz Agayev and Jamal Amanoa of flowlyst to discuss what AI adoption really looks like in education and public-sector organizations today. They explore common challenges and concerns, practical use cases tha...

Student privacy is no longer a background issue — it’s a front-line leadership challenge. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Amelia Vance, President of the Public Interest Privacy Center, to unpack the rapidly changing student privacy landscape. They explore the patchwork of federal and state privacy laws, recent enforcement actions, growing scrutiny of AI a...

Energy projects in schools can do more than reduce costs — they can create powerful learning opportunities. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato talks with Dawn Johnson, Director of Customer Engagement at OPTERRA Energy Services, about how school districts can leverage energy initiatives to support sustainability, STE(A)M education, and community engagement. They explore h...

The role of the school CFO is changing — and compliance alone is no longer enough. In this episode of School Business Insider, host John Brucato is joined by Ahnaf Tahmid, CFO of South Bend Community School Corporation, to explore how school finance leaders can move beyond compliance to become true strategic partners. Drawing from his School Business Now article, “The Strategic CFO: Moving Beyond...

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...

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...

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 p...

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 c...