ERS’ National CFO Strategy Networks
We convene trailblazing CFOs from across the country to explore strategic financial leadership, solve top challenges, and build community.
About ERS’ CFO Strategy Networks
For over a decade, ERS has been leading networks of strategic CFOs focused on rethinking the use of resources and transforming schools and systems. Our invited network members are committed to maximizing the impact of their district’s resources in service of students.
ERS hosts regular convenings for our CFO networks. Topics vary based on CFO interest and emerging trends in the field. Past strategy retreats have covered:
- Infusing ROI into district budgeting and investment decision-making processes
- Communicating about the budget effectively to drive or maintain change
- The role of the CFO in managing charter school funding impacts
- Flexibility in using federal funds
Through our convenings, we also foster peer-to-peer case studies of current challenges and host facilitated guest panels and speakers.
“This is the most important, and only real professional development I receive in this role. Perhaps even more critical is that I leave the meetings with renewed inspiration to keep at this incredibly challenging work of transforming school systems even while I work to respond to the daily crises that always emerge.”
—Matt Stanski, CFO of Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Benefits of Joining ERS’ CFO Networks
- Exclusive access to data and tools. Network members gain access to the full suite of data and tools that ERS has developed for its clients over the past 20 years of working with more than 150 school districts across the country. These resources range from our Strategic CFO Guide–our groundbreaking paper on what strategic financial leadership looks like in this moment–to Budget Hold’em for Districts, our interactive tool that builds understanding of the trade-offs required to make strategic funding choices.
- National community and influence. Members benefit from sharing tools and materials across participating districts and channel their experience to influence other districts and the broader reform conversation.
- Invite-only professional development opportunities. Members also get priority invitations to other ERS events, such as the “Strategic Budget Partner Retreats,” which bring the CFO support teams together to explore the principles of strategic school design and to develop district-specific strategies to better guide principals in making effective resource use decisions.
- Coaching and mentorship. Network members can participate in 1:1 coaching and peer consultancy on a rotating basis.
“This network is really helpful in terms of tools, support, advice, and frameworks. I’ve been able to leverage the network, the conversations, and the tools that I was able to access through this network. It’s been really instrumental.
—Jorge Robles, Chief Financial Officer at Metro Nashville Public Schools
“I’ve really homed in on the one conference or one network that can help me as a CFO. This is the one I have chosen for my growth and development.”
—Weston Young, Chief Financial Officer at Indianapolis Public Schools
Meet Our CFO Network Members
Leaders of strategic district finance come to our networks through direct nomination by a current network member or their Superintendent’s participation in either the Aspen Superintendent’s network or the Large Countywide and Suburban District Consortium.
Current members include:
Albuquerque Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools, Beaverton School District, Boston Public Schools, Chesterfield County Public Schools, Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Cumberland County Schools (NC), Denver Public Schools, Detroit Public Schools Community District, District of Columbia Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), Hamilton County Schools, Hartford Public Schools, Indianapolis Public Schools, Jeffco Public Schools, LA County Office of Education, Mesa Public Schools, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Orange County Public Schools, Prince William County Schools, Ravenswood Public Schools, Richmond Public Schools, School District of Palm Beach County, School District U-46, Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
“This is a pretty rare collection of highly specialized, highly focused, highly experienced people who know what they’re doing when it comes to school district finance.”
—Will Eger, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent at Ravenswood City School District
Request to Join the CFO Network Today
Submit our form below (“General Inquiry”) and we’ll be in touch shortly. We look forward to hearing from you!