Leadership

culture meets compliance

Projections  

  • Compliance
  • | Human Resources
  • | Legal

When Compliance Complements Culture

Legal compliance is critical, but when applied without compassion, it can muddy school culture.
6 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Membership

Announcing the 2025 NBOA Award Recipients

This year’s recipients have supported the independent school community by generously sharing their knowledge and financial support, and have innovated in the areas of compensation and AI.
5 min read
school counselor stock image

Risk & Compliance  

  • Compliance
  • | Legal
  • | Policy

The Evolving Role of the School Counselor This item is protected.

School leaders and counselors both need to understand confidentiality from a legal standpoint and prepare accordingly.
5 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • | Leadership
  • | Research

The Business of You

NBOA’s new research report, “Demographics of the Independent School Business Office,” reveals trends across schools, positions and individual career backgrounds and satisfaction.
4 min read
retaining hourly staff

Strategies  

  • Boards and Trustees
  • | Employment
  • | Salary

Retaining Hourly Staff in a Tight Labor Market This item is protected.

When food service workers expressed financial needs, the school negotiated wage raises and developed a staff compensation system.
4 min read
Cheshire Academy

Other Duties As Assigned  

  • Culture
  • | Facilities
  • | Leadership

On the Road

This business officer has come to treasure his weekend duties, even navigating heavy traffic on airport runs.
4 min read
best of 2024
  • Leadership
  • | Membership

The Best of Net Assets Magazine 2024

This year's top 12 cover every thing from food service inflation to financing in a new lending environment.
2 min read
Crystal Washington 2

Feature  

  • Change Management
  • | Leadership
  • | Technology

Keeping an Ear on the Future

Organizations that are successfully adopting new technologies find ways to harness staff feedback, says keynote speaker Crystal Washington.
8 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Leadership

It Takes a Village To Build a Village

When school leaders prioritize genuine appreciation, a positive and motivated workplace culture results.
4 min read
Rabbits at Walnut Farms

Other Duties As Assigned  

  • Facilities
  • | Leadership

The Circle of (Estimated, Useful) Life

Nothing teaches adaptability quite like chasing the school’s runaway rabbits, as this business officer discovered.
6 min read
underwater concept
  • Endowment
  • | Legal

Managing Underwater Endowments Amid Market Volatility

A well-crafted policy will help meet both donors’ and the school’s long-term needs.
6 min read
Headshot of speaker Kyle Scheele

Feature  

  • Change Management
  • | Culture
  • | Leadership

Child’s Play: An Interview with 2025 NBOA Annual Meeting Speaker Kyle Scheele

Building a financial plan or new organizational chart can be creative work – we just need to find ways to exercise the creative muscle.
6 min read
Heather Hoerle (center) accepting the  2022 Sarah Daignault Outstanding  Support for Independent Schools  Award with Shields and Rose Neubert,  the 2021–23 NBOA Board Chair.

Projections  

  • Boards and Trustees
  • | Enrollment
  • | Leadership

A Fond Farewell

A conversation with Heather Hoerle as she reflects on a career serving independent schools, from NAIS to EMA.
6 min read
Blue and red pencils on red and blue background stock photo

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Human Resources
  • | Leadership

Politics on Campus: Supporting Our Schools, Knowing the Rules

As the November election approaches, it’s critical to actively cultivate campus culture.
4 min read
Stock image of schoolgirl sitting on stack of books, shadow of university student on wall
  • Budget
  • | Leadership
  • | Planning

Lessons from a Start-Up School This item is protected.

Jewish Leadership Academy’s business leader shared what he learned about perpetual project management in the three years leading up to the school’s opening.
4 min read
stock illustration of a man painting over another person's speech bubble
  • Accounting
  • | Culture
  • | Risk Management

Can You Say Anything? Free Speech in Independent Schools

How laws and regulations on free speech apply to nonprofit independent schools as well as policy and cultural considerations.
6 min read

Strategies  

  • Culture
  • | Diversity and Inclusion
  • | Financial Aid

Clarifying Financial Aid for Multilingual Families This item is protected.

Making the process clearer to parents whose dominant language is not English can result in significant community enrichment.
4 min read
future looking concept art (1)
  • Change Management
  • | Planning

Using Future Studies To Cope with Top Challenges

School leaders need to envision multiple possible outcomes when facing risks and opportunities.
5 min read
sleeping tent concept art
  • Compensation Strategies
  • | Labor Law
  • | Legal

Sleeping on the Job? and Other Compensable Time Questions This item is protected.

Fundraising events, coaching, trips, and training programs offer great opportunities for school employees but can create confusion about paying non-exempt or hourly employees.
5 min read
Concept of mood change with an impassive head that turns screaming face.

CEO Notebook  

  • Change Management
  • | Leadership

Don’t Be Angry — Be Open

The classic film “12 Angry Men” has leadership lessons for everyone, even if you're feeling downright cheerful.
3 min read