Description
Position: Director of Business Services
Posting Date: September 23, 2026
Closing Date: October 19, 2026
Start Date: January 4, 2027, or as mutually agreed upon
Location: McFarland District Office
Compensation: Competitive Salary as negotiated and excellent benefit package
Required Certification: Valid Wisconsin DPI School Business Administrator License (5008)
Required Experience: Bachelor’s degree in finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
Preferred Experience: Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in public school or municipal business operations. Successful experience as a Director of Business Services in a Wisconsin public school district is strongly preferred.
Hiring Timeline: Ideally 4 weeks after the closing date
Meeting the Needs of Every Learner, Every Day
McFarland School District is seeking highly qualified, collaborative, and forward-thinking candidates to serve as our next Director of
Business Services. We aspire to hire a leader who can help us advance our mission of meeting the needs of every learner, every day, and
our vision of being an equitable and inclusive community committed to student belonging, achievement, and growth.
The Director of Business Services is a key member of the district’s leadership team and serves as the district’s Chief Financial Officer. This
position provides strategic leadership and oversight for the district’s financial and operational functions while working closely with the
Superintendent, School Board, administrative team, staff, and community to support the district’s long-term financial and operational health
and strategic priorities.
What Your Day Will Look Like:
The Director of Business Services leads and coordinates a broad range of district financial and operational functions. This includes budget
development, monitoring, forecasting and reporting; long-term financial planning; investments and debt management; facilities and capital
planning; risk management; transportation; technology operations; school nutrition; community education and recreation; and aspects of
employee services.
The Director supervises and supports a talented team of department leaders, including the Director of Employee and Financial Services,
Director of Community Services and Programming, Director of Buildings and Grounds, Director of Student Nutrition, Network Administrator,
and transportation services. The Director establishes clear direction and expectations while empowering department leaders with the
authority and autonomy to lead their areas effectively and holding individuals and teams accountable for results.
The Director also works closely with the Superintendent and School Board to explain complex financial issues, develop sustainable
financial strategies, plan for operational and capital referendums, and ensure that district resources are aligned with the needs of students,
staff, and the community. Across these responsibilities, the Director is expected to understand that effective business operations are
ultimately about people and to keep the impact on students and staff at the center of decision-making.
Our Ideal Candidate Will Bring:
Strategic Financial Leadership: Deep knowledge of Wisconsin school finance, budgeting, forecasting, cash management,
investments, debt management, and long-term financial planning, with the ability to develop sustainable strategies that support
district priorities.
Clear Financial Communication: An exceptional ability to translate complex budget, financial, operational, and legislative
information into clear, concise, and understandable language for the School Board, staff, families, and community, adapting
communication to the needs and knowledge of the audience.
Empowering and Accountable Leadership: Builds capable, high-performing teams by establishing clear expectations,
providing appropriate authority and autonomy, trusting the expertise of direct reports, supporting professional growth, and
holding individuals and teams accountable for results.
Collaborative Leadership: A relationship-centered leadership style that builds trust, values the expertise of others, actively
listens and seeks different perspectives, and creates collaborative, positive, and high-functioning teams.
Operational Leadership: Experience leading or overseeing multiple operational areas, which may include facilities,
transportation, technology, nutrition services, employee services, risk management, and community programming.
Strategic and Systems Thinking: Sees both the big picture and the important details, understands how financial and
operational systems intersect, effectively manages multiple complex priorities, anticipates long-term implications, and translates
strategy into effective implementation.
Creative Problem Solving: Approaches challenges with curiosity and an open mind, listens to different perspectives, thinks
beyond traditional solutions, and looks for responsible ways to accomplish district priorities rather than defaulting to why
something cannot be done.
Sound Decision-Making and Courageous Leadership: Thinks deeply, exercises sound judgment, remains composed under
pressure, makes difficult decisions when necessary, and navigates challenging conversations with professionalism, empathy,
and respect.
Student-Centered Stewardship: Keeps students at the center of financial and operational decision-making, balancing student
and staff needs with fiscal responsibility, compliance, risk, and long-term sustainability.
Service-Oriented Leadership: Creates a culture in which district operational departments are responsive, accessible, solutions
focused, and committed to providing excellent service to students, staff, families, and the community. Is approachable and willing
to step in and support the work when needed.
School and Community Partnership: The ability to collaborate effectively with administrators, staff, municipal partners,
contractors, consultants, families, and community members and develop strong relationships across a wide range of roles and
perspectives.
Integrity and Transparency: Sound judgment, accountability, discretion, transparency, composure, confidentiality, and a strong
commitment to ethical stewardship of public resources.
Continuous Learning: A commitment to ongoing professional growth and remaining current on Wisconsin school finance,
legislative developments, emerging issues, regulations, and best practices affecting public education and district operations.
Why People Stay:
Through one-on-one interviews, McFarland staff say making deep connections with colleagues (including administrators) and students
help them feel supported in McFarland. Staff who have worked in other districts noted that in McFarland class sizes are lower, special
education caseloads are smaller, team budgets are larger, and they are glad to work in a community that supports schools, has a positive
climate and a school board who respects teachers. We have a full-time librarian, social worker, school psychologist, and at least one
school counselor in each building.
The District:
The McFarland School District stands out as one of the top academic districts in Dane County and Wisconsin, offering a strong educational
foundation that families and educators are proud of. With an average enrollment of 2,100 to 2,400 students, McFarland is large enough to
provide a comprehensive EC-12 academic and co-curricular program, yet small enough to focus on each student's unique needs. Known
statewide for its welcoming atmosphere and student-centered approach, McFarland consistently attracts top-quality staff who enhance our
vibrant, thriving community.
The Schools:
For more information, visit our school websites:
- McFarland Primary School (K-2): click here.
- Waubesa Intermediate School (3-5): click here.
- Indian Mound Middle School (6-8): click here.
- McFarland High School (9-12): click here.
What We Offer:
The McFarland School District is committed to supporting the well-being of its employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package.
Our goal is to provide you and your family with resources that promote health, financial security, and work-life balance.
HIRING AUTHORITY:
Aaron Tarnutzer, District Administrator, 5101 Farwell Street, McFarland, WI 53558 608-838-4554, TarnutA@mcfsd.org
TITLE IX – COMPLIANCE
McFarland School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital
status, parental status, sexual orientation (including transgender status, change of sex or gender identity), English language proficiency,
age, military status, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability in its education programs or in employment. Inquiries regarding
compliance with Title IX may be directed to: SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MCFARLAND 5101 Farwell Street McFarland, WI 53558 or to the
Director of the Office of Civil Rights, Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare, Washington DC.
