Overview
A critical challenge education leaders sought to proactively address during COVID-19 was the highly uncertain financial environment they faced after schools closed for in-person instruction. Education finance experts Afton Partners provided targeted support to several school systems and charter networks as part of the ARL Coaching Network. They developed three concrete tools, contextualized in real-world case studies, that leaders can use to help conduct financial planning amidst today’s uncertainty , including:
12-Month Cash Flow Projection Tool
Five-Year Projection Tool for Mid-Sized Districts
Cost Estimation Tool
Overview of Case Study 1: Cash Management and Planning for Reducing Organizational Risk
The Problem: Amid the uncertainty brought about by COVID-19, school districts must focus on cash management and planning in order to reduce organizational risk. This case study outlines support for a growing New York charter network with cashflow forecasting, budget scenario review and messaging, and long-term financial projections.
Who can use it?: Any CMO or school aiming to get a clear picture of their cashflow model.
What is the tool?: Afton Partners has anonymized and shared a simple 12-month cashflow projection tool.
Overview of Case Study 2: Managing Uncertainties Around Funding in Mid-Sized Systems
The Problem: School system teams navigated many unknowns as they were planning for the 2020-21 school year. These “unknowns” included managing uncertainty around a flat level of state per-pupil funding, planning for multiple instructional delivery methods, and tracking the additional cost of expenditures related to COVID-19.
Who can use it?: Any mid-size public school district (serving 7-10 schools) working to develop a long-term projection and understand the financial impact of different instructional models.
What is the tool?: Afton Partners has anonymized and shared a simple five-year, long-term projection tool.
Overview of Case Study 3: Planning for COVID-19 Expenditures
The Problem: Due to COVID-19, schools now need to consider quantifying at least three different instructional delivery scenarios: in-person, fully remote, and hybrid – often dynamically in response to rapidly changing health and safety needs. Afton Partners reviewed publicly available information from other organizations in order to create a tool that helps school leaders estimate the extent of the resources required to operate under each of these three scenarios.
Who can use it?: Any school or system trying to plan around COVID-19 expenditures and learn about the implications for sustainability and success.
What is the tool?: Afton has anonymized and shared a cost-estimation model.
Strategy Resources
Managing Uncertainties Around Funding in Mid-Sized Systems
Afton Partners has anonymized and shared a simple 12-month cash flow projection tool, allowing school... Learn More
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Planning for COVID-19 Expenditures
Afton Partners has anonymized and shared a cost-estimation model, allowing networks to project financial impacts... Learn More
Not Available