Publications & Resources
- Newsletters
- Jan 21, 2026
Can financially strapped districts afford tutoring? YES
How budget-strapped districts can afford tutoring by redeploying existing staff from non-teaching specialist, administrator and support staff roles.
- Newsletters
- Jan 08, 2026
Fraud, waste, and abuse: Here’s what we see in K-12
Learn how fraud, abuse, and waste drain K-12 education budgets. From gift card theft to ineffective programs, discover why districts need zero-tolerance policies and data-driven budgeting to protect taxpayer funds and restore public trust in schools.
- Articles & Publications
- Jan 07, 2026
Some School Districts Won the MacKenzie Scott Jackpot. What Happened Next?
Three years after districts unexpectedly received large, unrestricted MacKenzie Scott donations totaling millions, their outcomes have varied widely. Roza examines what happened next, showing how inertia in education systems complicates spending decisions, budgeting, and the long-term sustainability of district finances.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Nov 20, 2025
30-Min Webinar: Must budget cuts erode district quality? Tips for this budget season.
In this 30 minute webinar, Marguerite shares a range of options for how districts can spend smarter toward building long-term financial health and growing outcomes for students. And which districts are doing this well.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Sep 25, 2025
Hard Choices, Smarter Schools: Surviving the Big Shrink
Marguerite joined ASBO’s School Business Insider podcast to discuss “The Big Shrink.” She outlined a roadmap for how districts can respond to declining enrollment and shrinking revenues — while still protecting what matters for students — by rethinking staffing models, evaluating programs for impact, and leading strategically during a tough budget season.
- Newsletters
- Sep 25, 2025
Breaking News: Your district’s enrollment figures
Districts are experiencing enrollment declines that signal long-term financial challenges — what we call The Big Shrink. Drops in particular grade levels or reveal different underlying causes, from falling birthrates to family out-migration. Leaders who analyze their data early can plan thoughtfully — rethinking staffing, evaluating programs, and even closing schools — to build smaller, stronger, and more sustainable systems...
- Articles & Publications
- Sep 10, 2025
Here Comes “The Big Shrink”
Districts across the country are heading into an era of shrinking enrollment resulting in lower revenues. With labor costs consuming a large share of most budgets, leaders won’t be able to avoid tough choices. Done right, shrinking can be a chance to build smaller, stronger, and more effective school systems for the students who remain.
- Newsletters
- Jul 15, 2025
An ed finance gamechanger has arrived: It’s not what you think
There's a lot of attention on the July 1 federal withholding of some Title funds however the real ed finance game changer is OBBBA's tax credit scholarship provision.There are still a lot of details to be hammered out but It’s the type of money that changes the education landscape over time.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Apr 29, 2025
30-Min Webinar: Federal and other financial risks for K12 in the months ahead
In this 30-minute webinar, we look at how federal changes may impact the K-12 financial landscape.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Feb 27, 2025
30-Min Webinar: A tough budget season this year: What you need to know
In this 30-minute webinar, we share what you need to know about this spring’s challenging budget season, including how changes in federal funding could impact schools.
- Newsletters
- Dec 19, 2024
Looking to avoid closures? Districts have options
Small schools can be financially feasible - but there are tradeoffs.
- Articles & Publications
- Dec 19, 2024
Don’t want to close under-enrolled schools? Here’s how to make the math work.
Small, under-enrolled schools can be financially viable if they are staffed differently than larger schools, writes Marguerite Roza on the Fordham Flypaper blog.
- Newsletters
- Nov 14, 2024
Should schools brace for big cuts in federal funds?
How will the election impact school finance? Here's what we think is on the ed finance horizon and what’s worrying us.
- Articles & Publications
- Nov 07, 2024
Big-City Districts Are Beset by Financial Dysfunction – and Kids Pay the Price
Financial dysfunction is plaguing many city school districts. What can help? Strong district leadership, state guidance, and brutal honesty about what's really going on. Marguerite Roza and Cicco weigh in at The 74.
- Newsletters
- Oct 24, 2024
Is it true? ESSER boosted spending more in wealthier schools?
Larger higher-poverty districts got more ESSER per pupil than their peers. But, many of those districts then deployed relief funds in ways that disproportionately boosted spending in their wealthier schools. How did that happen?
- Newsletters
- Aug 29, 2024
Which districts could return relief dollars to the Feds?
The Sept. 30 ESSER deadline is fast approaching. Which districts might miss it?
- Newsletters
- Aug 15, 2024
Schools have more staff than ever. Are kids benefiting?
Most districts now have more staff than ever before. Per usual, Edunomics Lab asks: Is it working? Are students benefiting?
- Webinars & Presentations
- Aug 01, 2024
30-Min Webinar: Are students benefiting from the rising costs of Special Ed?
In this 30-minute webinar, we share findings from Edunomics Lab's analysis of new Special Ed spending data to better understand the extent to which rising identification rates and staffing increases deliver value for students.
- Articles & Publications
- Jul 25, 2024
Why WA school budgets are getting tighter, and what can be done about it
In the Washington State Standard, Marguerite Roza and Ash Dhammani write that strategic financial leadership is more critical than ever to help communities understand tradeoffs and ensure WA state’s students get the most for every dollar.
- Newsletters
- Jun 18, 2024
Can vendors help our schools?
Optimism around the ed vendor space is running high.
NARROW YOUR SEARCH
