John Ferraro

Biography

Hello, everyone, my name is John Ferraro. I currently work for the Department of Education as an Executive County School Business Administrator tasked to cover all public school districts, charter schools and sometimes APSSDs in Essex and Passaic Counties. Over my 27-year career, I have worked in districts and most notably 23 years in various positions within the Department of Education with at least 19 years serving as an Executive County School Business Administrator (SBA).

Working as an Executive County SBA is really cool. My county office is actually a state field office of DOE. Along with my fellow state colleagues (the County Superintendent, the County Educational Specialist for general education and the County Supervisor of Child Study for special education) we help districts with all kinds of issues in any and all areas. I spend a good amount of time researching law and code, generating appropriate correspondence in order to provide proper guidance. Additionally we are the state’s liaison to disseminate new laws, investigate issues and ensure districts comply with all of the various state initiatives and reporting. Our office also performs a very important function approving school district proposed budgets. We review it for compliance, and accuracy to ensure it supports the educational programs of the district.

Another important job function involves state monitoring. Pursuant to state law, the Department of Education is required to monitor districts; this process is called QSAC. I cover the Fiscal DPR part of QSAC that also includes inspection of school buildings for educational health and safety.

These past 3 years I also have been teaching at Montclair State University- School Finance (including facilities) for the Education Leadership Program. I find it very rewarding to educate and inspire people hoping to be administrators. Expose them to budget challenges school districts face and the importance of maintaining good healthy facilities.

Research

Hello, everyone, my name is John Ferraro. I currently work for the Department of Education as an Executive County School Business Administrator tasked to cover all public school districts, charter schools and sometimes APSSDs in Essex and Passaic Counties. Over my 27-year career, I have worked in districts and most notably 23 years in various positions within the Department of Education with at least 19 years serving as an Executive County School Business Administrator (SBA).

Working as an Executive County SBA is really cool. My county office is actually a state field office of DOE. Along with my fellow state colleagues (the County Superintendent, the County Educational Specialist for general education and the County Supervisor of Child Study for special education) we help districts with all kinds of issues in any and all areas. I spend a good amount of time researching law and code, generating appropriate correspondence in order to provide proper guidance. Additionally we are the state’s liaison to disseminate new laws, investigate issues and ensure districts comply with all of the various state initiatives and reporting. Our office also performs a very important function approving school district proposed budgets. We review it for compliance, and accuracy to ensure it supports the educational programs of the district.

These past 3 years I also have been teaching at Montclair State University- School Finance (including facilities) for the Education Leadership Program. I find it very rewarding to educate and inspire people hoping to be administrators. Expose them to budget challenges school districts face and the importance of maintaining good healthy facilities.