This course will cover the rules and requirements of Ohio Ethics Laws and related statutes applicable to public officials, including school district treasurers.  Topics covered will include the limits and ramifications of public officials and employees from engaging in the following: 

• Participating in their public role in any action that involves the direct interests of the official, or those of a family member, or another with whom the official has an ongoing private business relationship;
• Authorizing, or using his or her public position to secure a public contract or the investment of public finds in any security that benefits the official, a family member, or a business associate;
• Improperly profiting from a public contract;
• Soliciting or accepting substantial and improper things of value, including, outside employment or consultation fees, gifts, or travel, meals and lodging, from those dealing or seeking to do business with the public agency; and
• Unauthorized disclosure or use of information deemed confidential by law.
  

In addition to the topics listed above, the financial disclosure statement that all school district treasurers must file will be discussed.

1. Understand the Ethics Laws and related statutes as they apply to activities affecting school district CFOs and other district employees.
2. Be able to spot potential conflicts of interest and other ethical issues before they become problems, and address them.
3. Be able to communicate these issues to school boards and the public on topics of Ohio Ethics Laws.
   
    Statement of Accreditation Rationale: The course will enhance the attendees’ understanding of the Ohio Ethics Laws and related statutes so that school district officials and employees can understand the rationale behind the laws in order to assist in identifying issues and helping to protect themselves and their districts from violations and liability, as well as to protect the public’s trust in our public agencies.
   

        The course will provide a review of various types of investments available to public school districts.  The presentation will also discuss the pros and cons of the various investment types.

This course will provide attendees with an overview of a variety of methods for investing excess funds.  There are specific investments permitted by Ohio law allowed for school districts.  Understanding the various investment types available to school districts is critical for school treasurers.

School district treasurers are often confronted with the opportunity of refunding an existing prior bond issue.   Often the decision making process involved in deciding if the time is right to take this action is largely handled by industry professionals.   While this is appropriate, the more informed a treasurer can be about the various tools and techniques that are used to evaluate a refunding, the better that treasurer can represent their constituents.  

This session will cover various methods for examining the refunding option.   Included will be a discussion of net present value savings, opportunity cost index, option value, and negative arbitrage.   The session will also discuss alternative payment structures that may be created through the refunding option. 

The treasurer should come out of the session with a deep understanding of not only how a refunding works, but also how to evaluate a refunding for efficiency and timing.   The treasurer will be armed with a much greater skill set around this topic and will be in a position to insure that industry professionals are providing a full and thorough analysis before proceeding with a refunding bond issue.