President's View...Rob Burgess - "Economic Realities Hit Home"
 By: Rob Burgess, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Lakeshore Public Schools and President of MSBO
In late December, I sat in my office and read the Senate Fiscal Agency’s Economic Outlook and Budget Review for fiscal years 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.
Admittedly, I am a geek when it comes to economics. My two classes in macro economics and monetary economics with Professor John Reifel, Ph.D., an economics professor at Grand Valley, were among my favorite business classes. Read more
Executive Director's View...David Martell - "The Challenges of the Future"
 By: David Martell, Executive Director, MSBO
It seems like I notice how fast time can fly by during the month of January. Obviously we mark the passing of another calendar year, but I also have a December birthday. I don’t really pay close attention to my birthdays, but no matter how indifferent I can be the years seem to pass faster and faster. The last four and a half years have been no different. Read more
WELLNESS… A Trend Whose Time has Come
 By: Darcie Birkett, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services, Ottawa Area ISD and MSBO Board Member
The medical cost trend has and is projected to continue to average nearly 10% annually. For a full family plan costing $12,000, that’s a $1,200 annual increase for each covered employee. Multiply that by your total labor force, couple it with the fact that education is a service industry, and throw in Michigan’s structural budget problems (how about that FG increase)…and you have an unsustainable cost equation. There is little dispute that soaring medical costs are a major concern for employers. Read more
Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service: Michigan School District Investment Options Increase
Public Act 307 of 2008, which was signed into law in late December, amends the Revised School Code to allow school districts and intermediate school districts to invest funds in certificates of deposit with financial institutions that participate in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (CDARS) program. Read more
Reporting Suspected Fraud, Grant Violations to MDE
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has been cited by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General for failure to properly monitor fraud, illegal acts, contract violations, grant violations and abuse at school districts. Read more
Recently Enacted Legislation
 A number of bills were signed into law at the end of the 94th Legislative Session that amend the Revised School Code. Following is a short synopsis of those bills.
PA 540 of 2008 (HB 5639): PA 540 amends three sections of the Revised School Code addressing competitive bidding. The changes state that, all other things being equal, Michigan-based firms could be given preference when contracts are awarded. Read more
Spotlight on MSBO Services: PaySchools
 Simple. Convenient. Cost-effective.
PaySchools provides schools with an easy and efficient method to collect fees and receive payments by electronic check or credit card for school lunches, field trips, registration, prom tickets, T-shirts and anything else school-related. PaySchools makes it possible for all schools to offer the convenience of online payment processing without incurring the costs of setting up and maintaining their own merchant account. Read more
Annual Conference Update: MSBO Keynote Speaker is Erik Wahl
 Erik Wahl is a recognized artist and speaker who inspires professionals through his one-of-a-kind Art of Vision program. The format is fast-paced, entertaining, and full of surprises designed to challenge organizations to discover their untapped potential. Read more
Save the Date for These Upcoming Events!
 Group Solutions-Current Issues • February 10-11, 2009
Yarrow Golf and Conference Center, Augusta (SE Michigan)
1st day: Welcoming Reception 6:00-7:00 pm (optional)
2nd day: 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Experienced business managers will share their thoughts and experiences as they facilitate discussions on challenging topics facing today’s current issues. Read more
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