Iowa Code 272.31(2) provides for an authorization for school business officials (SBOs). The legislation was established at the urging of practicing school business managers. As directed, the Department of Education (Department), in consultation with the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE), convened an advisory committee comprised of representatives from the Iowa Association of School Business Officials (IASBO), individuals holding financial leadership roles in small, medium, and large school districts, and a public member from the school budget review committee. The committee reviewed other states' professional organizations and programs regarding authorization of school business officials, determined the best practices for school district business management training programs, and identified and recommended the knowledge and skills necessary to obtain a school business official authorization from the BOEE. See the School Business Officials Report to the State Board of Education and the Board of Educational Examiners from 2011.

As is the process with other licensing programs with the BOEE, the Department accredits the program and the BOEE issues authorizations to those who achieve the requirements of authorized programs. BOEE sanctions organizations to offer renewal credits to SBOs. See Iowa Administrative Code 281-81 for standards for SBO preparation programs and Iowa Administrative Code 282-22.3 for SBO authorization.

The authorization went into effect on July 1, 2012. A school business official authorization allows an individual to perform, supervise, and be responsible for the overall financial operations of the local school board. Practicing school business officials employed on June 30, 2012, will not need to meet the requirements for the initial authorization but instead will be granted a standard authorization (valid for three years, expiring on the last day of the practitioner's birth month) after application, fingerprinting, and background check have been completed. Renewal activities include child and dependent adult abuse training, completion of four semester hours of credit (or the equivalent of 60 contact hours) within the three-year licensure period.

Iowa School Business Official Standards and Criteria 5-22-12

Persons interested in applying for a School Business Officials authorization should contact the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE).