Professional Learning
The FCMAT Chief Business Officials (CBO) Mentor Program is designed to help meet the need for qualified and well-trained California local educational agency (LEA) CBOs. This year-long program provides classroom training that takes place over 12 two-day sessions (Friday and Saturday). Each participant will be assigned a mentor who is a qualified and experienced CBO, or recognized expert in their field, and who is available to support and assist their participant as needed throughout the year.
The FCMAT CBO Mentor Program is unique because of the following four major components:
Desired Outcomes for Participants:
The goal of the FCMAT CBO Mentor Program is to help California LEAs fill CBO vacancies with qualified CBOs. FCMAT works with the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) to link this training program to the CASBO CBO certification program so that graduates are eligible for CBO certification if they successfully pass CASBO’s CBO examination and after evaluation and approval by their mentor and the CASBO CBO certification program evaluator.
The steering committee for the CBO Mentor Program is:
Michael Fine, FCMAT Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Giacomini, FCMAT Deputy Executive Officer
John Von Flue, FCMAT Chief Analyst
Carolynne Beno, Ed.D., CFE, FCMAT Intervention Specialist
Andrea Dodson, FCMAT Intervention Specialist
A successful candidate for the CBO Mentor Program should currently have or show potential in the following areas:
Participants are selected based on a variety of factors. The selection committee considers the viability of the application and the strength of the nomination, and seeks a balance of candidates from northern, southern, and central California. It is also a program goal to have a balance of small and large LEAs, county offices and charter schools. If a candidate is not selected, it does not necessarily mean that they are not a viable candidate. Candidates may reapply in the following year and are encouraged to do so. A large number of qualified candidates compete for a limited number of slots each year.
Individuals qualify to become a mentor if they meet the following criteria and apply for consideration:
"One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination." — John C. Maxwell