SECTION 100.1105. Training for Business Managers

(a) Training required. Unless exempted under subsection (g) of this section, a business manager, including persons providing management services that include the functions of a business manager, must complete a training course consisting of 30 instructional hours, excluding breaks, administrative tasks, and other non-instructional time, delivered by a course provider registered under §100.1107 of this title (relating to Course Providers). The training course may not use self-instructional materials.

(b) Timeline for completing training. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a business manager must complete the training course required by this section within one calendar year of beginning service in that capacity.

(c) Transition timeline. A person serving as a business manager on the effective date of this section must complete at least the first 15 hours of the training course required by this section within six months of the effective date of the curriculum outline approved under subsection (e) of this section, and must complete the remaining 15 hours of such training within one year of the effective date of the approved curriculum outline. Training completed prior to the effective date of this section and after September 1, 2001, may be counted toward the first 15 hours of the training course required by this section if it meets the requirements of the curriculum outline approved under subsection (e) of this section.

(d) Course content. The training course required by this section shall include the following modules:

(1) a module consisting of at least 240 minutes of instruction in school law, with special emphasis on Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 12, Subchapter D; this subchapter; and the Financial Accountability System Resource Guide, as adopted by reference in §109.41 of this title (relating to Financial Accountability System Resource Guide);

(2) a module consisting of at least 480 minutes of instruction in school finance, with special emphasis on the Financial Accountability System Resource Guide, generally accepted accounting principles, student attendance accounting, federal funds and property management, purchasing, grant administration, audit requirements, and capital financing;

(3) a module consisting of at least 20 minutes of instruction in health and safety issues, with special emphasis on health and safety codes, ordinances, and other laws applicable to operating a Texas public school;

(4) a module consisting of at least 240 minutes of instruction in accountability requirements related to the use of public funds, with special emphasis on the fiduciary responsibility of duties and liabilities of a trustee under Texas law, the shared use of real property for charter and non-charter business, bank depository contracts, capital financing, incidental use of public property by charter holder personnel, and recovery by the commissioner of education of the public property held by a former charter holder;

(5) a module consisting of at least 160 minutes of instruction in other requirements relating to accountability to the public, with special emphasis on PEIMS reporting, internal management controls, and audit requirements;

(6) a module consisting of at least 20 minutes of instruction in open meetings requirements under Government Code, Chapter 551, with special emphasis on adopting and amending the budget; and

(7) a module consisting of at least 40 minutes of instruction in requirements relating to public records, with special emphasis on recordkeeping required by generally accepted accounting principles and applicable law.

(e) Required course curriculum outline. The commissioner shall approve and disseminate a curriculum outline that is consistent with the module topics and minimum durations identified in subsection (d) of this section. Training that does not conform to the curriculum outline does not satisfy the training requirements of this section. The entire duration of the training course must be dedicated to topics identified in the curriculum outline. The curriculum outline will be available on the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website. The process for the development and/or revision of a curriculum outline under this section must include an opportunity for stakeholder comment.

(f) Continuing training. A business manager who has completed the 30-hour training course required by this section must annually thereafter receive 15 hours of training, excluding breaks, administrative tasks, and other non-instructional time, delivered by a course provider registered under §100.1107 of this title. Continuing training under this subsection shall fulfill assessed training needs, including any training needs identified by TEA monitoring, and address update items identified in the curriculum outline approved under subsection (e) as well as additional topics selected from the curriculum outline. Selected topics must be covered in greater depth than the curriculum outline indicates for initial training on those topics. No more than three hours of continuing training may use self-instructional materials.

(g) Exemptions. A business manager is exempt from:

(1) the training required by this section if the person is the holder in good standing of one or more of the following credentials issued by the Texas Association of School Business Officials or the Texas Charter School Association, and if all other officers of the charter school comply with this division:

(A) Registered Texas School Business Administrator;

(B) Certified Texas School Business Official;

(C) Certified Texas School Business Specialist;

(D) Certified Texas School Business Administrator; or

(E) Charter School Business Officer Certification; and

(2) a module of required training, if:

(A) the business manager is a certified public accountant (CPA) registered in good standing with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy; and

(B) the subject matter of the module of required training is covered by the Uniform CPA Examination administered by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Source Note: The provisions of this §100.1105 adopted to be effective June 8, 2003, 28 TexReg 4277; amended to be effective September 18, 2014, 39 TexReg 7295