Pub. 4 2014-2015 Issue 1

16 about two minutes from start to fin- ish. Tracking Time and Effort re- ports for Special Education and Title services has also become a bearable process for all involved. Benefits…We all know that happy teachers and staff equal happy chil- dren! One of the best ways Freedom Prep has found in keeping these assets of ours happy is a great work envi- ronment, supportive administration, competitive salaries, and most impor- tantly - great benefits! We found, for our school, that the ACA (Affordable Care Act) isn't as affordable as we had hoped. This year we searched high and low, in-state and out of state, for a health insur- ance plan that would fit our needs, not the needs of bureaucrats or the large insurance companies. After meeting with, obtaining quotes from, and talking to several other groups, we found a health plan that allowed our teachers flexibility with doc- tors and hospitals, low deductibles and low cost copays for going to the doctor and a low cost copays for prescriptions. Our employees are extremely happy with this new health insurance and the cost was such that we are able to provide these benefits, to qualifying employees, at NO cost to them or their families. Play Fair: As entrusted recipients of state funds, we are governed by law to play fair. But playing fair seems to be subjective, hence one of the reasons for all the recent procurement poli- cies. Freedom Prep has had the oppor- tunity, throughout the years, to have had multiple single and special audits. Not only did we have to perform our regular yearly audit, we also had single or special audits too. Single audits typically occur when you receive more than a certain threshold of money from the federal government in a given budget year. Currently, if we receive $500,000 or more in federal revenues, for any and all of our federal programs combined (the limit is being raised to $750,000 for our audits in 2016 [OMB A-133]), then this single audit will happen. Special audits occur when you receive a nice letter from a specific department at the USOE that says we are coming down to review your finances relating to program "X." We have had the pleasure of having a special audit from Special Education Department and the Title 1 and Title 2 Departments. Yes, these audits can take you away from your daily workload; however, if you ever find yourself the recipient of a special audit letter from the state, be happy and forthright. Share with the auditors all that they need to know. Since we are playing fair anyways, why not give them what they need to complete their audit? My personal experience is that they really are there to help. Warm cookies and milk are good for you: There is nothing like taking a piping hot, homemade chocolate chip cookie out of the oven, dipping it into a cool glass of milk, and then set- ting all that goodness in your mouth (my mouth is watering just thinking of it!). Just as chocolate chip cookies and milk go together, so does a cohe- sive governing board, administration, and support staff. We count ourselves fortunate at Freedom Prep. Our governing board consists of PhDs, MPAs, and MOMs. The three administrators are dedicated to the continual growth of each student while balancing out state regulations, community rela- tions, and growth of our faculty. One of the key successes of the school is our support staff. They are #1. Their patience with students and parents alike keep the day to day activities of the school running smoothly. Many times, they are the face of the school. When an angry parent calls or comes in, who is it that usually gets the brunt of that anger? The front office. When administration needs to meet a deadline and needs help, who do they typically get to help them? The front office... Who helps teachers when the copier has malfunctioned, or a parent meeting needs to be scheduled, or supplies haven't arrived, or who takes care of the child with the bloody nose or scraped knee? The front office... They are key in our organization. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die: So do we. We are all replaceable; we are all going to quit someday. At Freedom Prep we try not to build our own little kingdoms. Our whole staff is part of our team. And last, but not least: Live a balanced life: Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. It is good to step away for a day or two to keep perspective. I hope these tricks and principles learned from my 12 years of on the job experience is helpful to you as you navigate and balance the business af- fairs at your school. There are few of us business managers in the state who really know what it takes to run the business side of a charter school. Isn't it fun to be part of such a difficult and yet extremely rewarding experience? We all know that happy teachers and staff equal happy children! CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15