Human Resources Specialist Course Descriptions
Introduction to School Business: (14 hours): An overview of school business operations with a focus on several key areas. The program will begin with a brief background on the general functions of the school Human Resource Specialist. Major components of the program will include: listing and describing reports that must be filed with federal, state, and local agencies; reviewing school laws and the Revised School Code; introducing fund accounting processes; reviewing school organizational issues and operational issues (how school boards and administrators function); and exploring inter-relationships between the business office and site operations – offices in school buildings, facilities, transportation, and food services. Part of the program would be devoted to discussion about the roles and functions of the school business official.
Overview of Human Resource Management (6 hours): This session provides an overview of the hiring process, from recruiting, interviewing, and reference checks to staff orientation and record keeping. This session takes you through the steps of setting up personnel records, handling FOIA requests, address policies and procedures by exploring employee handbooks and understanding how worker’s compensation should be kept in the personnel file.
Benefits/Retirement (3 hours): Learn how to explain employee benefits, social security benefits and retirement. Also understand when to offer COBRA and how it works.
Collective Bargaining Agreement, Contracts (3 hours): Learn how to interpret the bargaining agreement language, understand leave benefits, and grievance procedures. An overview of union dues and political deductions and nondeductions. Learn how to administer overtime, FMLA, and FLSA. Also gain knowledge of the difference between an independent contractor vs. an employee.
Labor Relations/Employment Law (6 hours): Major state and federal employment laws, that applies to public schools. Includes: collective bargaining, wage and hour, discrimination, COBRA, Family Medical Leave Act, and federal and state retirement issues.
Performance Evaluations for Personnel (3 hours): Learn how and when to evaluate employees, what documentation should be placed in the employee’s file and what type of follow-up should be completed. This session will also discuss discipline, discharge and the probationary employee.
Principles of Education (3 hours): Provide an understanding of: the educational process, culture of schools, major learning theories, teaching methodologies, school improvement, design of in-service programs, and the structure and function of the principalship.
Public Relations and Internal Communications (3 hours): Background in PR and presenting yourself to others, including: developing a public relations plan, working with your community, relating to other administrators within your organization, doing a budget presentation, and using internal and external committees in developing a budget.
TDP, IRS Sec. 125, 403 (b), 457, and Workers Compensation (6 hours): Understand the processing of workers’ compensation claims and the legal and operational aspects of a deferred/defined contribution program and how it affects every payroll office in the state. Know the rules and regulations of 403(b) and cafeteria plans (Sec. 125).
Team Leadership (3 hours): The components of leadership in general, and the methods and challenges of managing people including recruiting, training, motivating and evaluating your staff.
Technology for Human Resource Management (3 hours): This session reviews the necessary reports a Human Resource Specialist files such as the Registry Educational Personnel (REP) report. You’ll also understand employee leave and seniority list and review the impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT).
Wrap-up (2 hours): A concluding session to very briefly review the major program content areas, provide references and resource materials, and a chance for the participants to reflect back and look forward on their roles.
Elective (6 hours): Any course taken outside of this certification track.
Total class time is 61 hours. Continuing Education hours are 90 hours within a five-calendar-year period.
