From the Executive Director's Desk
3
Paradigm Shift and “flip flops”
We are experiencing a paradigm shift in school business. Miriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines paradigm shift as, “an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way.”
For example, shortly after my son was born, he was given a nickname by his mom. Everyone called him by his nickname. In fact, people at church didn’t even know his real name. We moved to Las Cruces the summer before he started first grade and he told us that he no longer wanted to be called by his nickname. I had to pull his birth certificate to make sure I remembered this kid’s real name. I had a hard time making the change. In fact, after 20 years, I still call him a variation of his nickname from time to time.
Here's another example. In college, the kids wore a type of sandal with a rubber sole and a strap that came up between the big toe and the toe next to it. Somewhere through the years, the name of this shoe was changed to “flip flop.” It seems that another garment was introduced that used the same name. So, the shoe was given a name that was more appropriate and descriptive.
I know this is a silly comparison, but something similar has occurred in the world of school business. Since the beginning of time (1967), people in our profession have been referred to as Business Managers. The job has evolved and the generic title of “business manager” is no longer accurate. Today’s Business Managers are more involved in the educational process than ever before. We are called upon to provide detailed analyses of everything, from tax revenue, capital expenditures, proposed legislation and being asked to testify in front of legislative committees on issues regarding educational funding. The job has evolved to that of a valued advisor to the Superintendent, Curriculum Director, School Board and Legislators. Therefore, I suggest that we no longer use the generic title of Business Manager but use the more accurate title of School Business Official or School Business Professional.
To accentuate this point, the NM Legislature passed a law that requires schools to have a licensed individual in the business office. PED issues a license to those individuals who meet the competencies defined in NMAC. PED titled this license, “School Business Official.”
In conclusion, we need to refer to these individuals with a title that reflects their professionalism. An alligator has traits in common with a lizard, but the alligator is much larger. Similarly, a School Business Official performs duties like that of the old school Business Manager, but today’s School Business Official is much more. Let me encourage you to stop using the BM designation and refer to our NMASBO colleagues as School Business Officials or School Business Professionals.
In conclusion, we need to refer to these individuals with a title that reflects their professionalism. An alligator has traits that are like a lizard, but the alligator is much bigger. Conversely, a School Business Official performs duties like that of the old school Business Manager, but a School Business Official is much more. Let me encourage you to stop using the BM designation and refer to our NMASBO colleagues as School Business Officials or School Business Professionals.
Terry Dean