Board approves pilot to deploy trained supplemental business-office staff to colleges

The State Board approved a pilot to create a cadre of trained supplemental business-office staff who would be available for short-term deployment to colleges at the colleges’ expense. Staff described the model as a cost-recoverable service that would supply experienced, deployable accountants and business officers for tasks such as reconciliations, financial reporting and payroll support.

Presenter Floyd (with Terry Simpson noted as director-level staff) said chronic turnover in college business offices and market pay disparities make it difficult for campuses to hire and retain experienced accounting staff. The proposed model would centralize recruitment and training, allowing staff to rotate to campuses and complete assignments with minimal onboarding. Staff said the service would be charged to colleges (not funded from board general funds) and is intended to be less expensive per-hour than private staffing agencies while offering continuity.

Board members asked about root causes of turnover, possible engagement of students or interns, scope of services (payroll, finance, student services), and guardrails to avoid the program becoming general staff augmentation. Staff said the pilot aims to start with a small number of experienced personnel (staff indicated an initial request for two positions, with multiple college requests already received) and included safeguards that priority and charging mechanisms would be governed by board-developed contracting practices.

The board moved and approved the implementation of the supplemental business services model (motion moved by Max, seconded by Deborah) by voice vote. Staff will return with implementation details, contracting procedures and pricing mechanisms.