We are excited to be working closely with the Florida School Finance Officers Association (FSFOA) on preparing for a "super" fall conference. Both associations are looking forward to having our first joint conference in many years. This conference will be held in Orlando from November 11-15, 2019 at the Double Tree Hilton outside of Universal Studios. This year’s theme is the "Power of Connection".

While we are working hard to complete the agenda, your ideas for session topics are still encouraged. We’d love for you to share with us what you would like to learn more about. Also if you have knowledge to share with the FASBO and FSFOA membership let me know and I’ll be happy to put you in touch you with the one of the Board members.

Please continue to watch Fasbo.org for updated agendas or to apply for a scholarship. The scholarships are limited so apply for one today. This will be a conference you will not want to miss. So put on that cape, pack your superpowers and fly over to Orlando in November. I look forward to connecting with you!

Becky Gideon, President

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continues to propose Employer Shared Responsibility Payment (ESRP) assessments for the 2015 tax year. It is expected that 2016 and, following that, 2017 proposed assessments will begin shortly. The ESRP is assessed when a large employer fails to offer coverage to at least 95 percent (70 percent in 2015) of full-time employees and their dependent children, and at least one full-time employee receives a premium tax credit to help with the cost of coverage. Check out this report to find out how you can avoid the ACA reporting penalty; and what to do if you get one.

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Google brings Gmail confidential mode to G Suite enterprise users with beta program
Google has announced several new security and productivity features for Gmail. One of those new features launched last year and includes a confidential mode that will give senders the option of adding an expiration date and limit sharing. Click here to learn more

Facebook Messenger bug let other people see who you'd been talking to
The now-fixed flaw pushed Facebook to change the app's interface.  Click here to learn more

5 Beautiful Mind Mapping Apps to Help You Think Outside the Box
A map helps you discover a new place. A mind map can take you to fresh thoughts and ideas. Mind mapping isn’t a recent discovery; it has existed since the third century. Now, it has got its due because you need new ways to think and organize information. And you need to think outside the box too.  Click here to learn more.

3 Things K–12 Schools Can Learn from Remote Work Programs
Clear guidelines and modern communication technology can help schools keep classes going in the worst weather.  Click here for more information

How I Fully Quit Google (And You Can, Too)
My enlightening quest to break free of a tech giant.  Click here to learn more

 

FASBO is always looking for articles to help fill our bi-annual magazine, Florida School Business. You're the experts of your field - and we would like you to share new innovative solutions and ideas with your peers. We are seeking submissions for feature material in the following fields: Auditing; Business Management; Environmental/Energy; Facilities Planning and Operations; Finance, Fixed Assets/Property Control; Food and Nutrition Service; Human Resources; Information Technology; Maintenance; Purchasing; Risk Management; Safety and Transportation.

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67th VASBO-SASBO
Conference and Discovery Forum
April 30 - May 2, 2019
Hilton The Main, Norfolk, VA
go to www,sasbo.org for more information

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The fact that many Florida School Districts operate their buses for over 20 years, means bus purchase decisions impact the district’s transportation operations budget for a long, long time. It is therefore important to get it right the first time. Many Florida districts can tell you horror stories of making a bad school bus purchase decision. Benjamin Franklin said it best, "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." Just as you depreciate assets over time, it is important to consider the cost of the bus over time, and compare the value provided to the district versus any upfront savings. For not much money per year, you can get the buses, options, and features your drivers, technicians, and administrators desire. The biggest challenge to school transportation departments these days is hiring and keeping drivers and technicians. By purchasing buses with the right standard features and options, you can improve the drivers’ and technicians’ daily operating environment, making their life much easier. It can also solve many challenges. The standard and extended warranties available can also help your staff. Dealer mobile service technicians who show up at your site to perform warranty repairs for 5, 6, 7 and even 10 years, can give your already taxed technicians more time to do preventative maintenance and Department of Education Inspections. Below is an article offered by Thomas Built Buses, which can help guide you in your decision of what fuel and engines are right for your operations.

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BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc. is a Sunbelt-based bank holding company whose principal subsidiary, BBVA Compass, operates 644 branches, including 331 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 63 in Arizona, 61 in California, 45 in Florida, 37 in Colorado and 18 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (6th).

As part of the Commercial Banking group, BBVA Compass Spend NetTM is an end-to-end suite of commercial payment solutions and services that helps Clients reduce payment costs, enhances control, and streamlines their payment processing. Spend Net solutions can work independently or be combined to help turn Accounts Payable from a cost center into a strategic asset. Solutions and services include; purchasing and travel & entertainment cards, virtual cards, invoicing automation, integrated payables, dedicated supplier enablement, and strategic account management.

By Keith W. Young, Chairman, DROP Advisory Council

How can you protect your DROP money from a market loss when you retire? The answer is safe-money solutions and diversification. Diversification can reduce your market risk by allocating your savings and investments among various financial instruments. Diversification is the most important component of reaching long-range financial goals while minimizing risk. Click here for more information.

The answer is … it depends. Can you afford to take 30 percent less by turning on Social Security at age 62? Are you planning to work another job after retiring? Are you full retirement age? To learn more, please click here.

The DROP Advisory Council offers you a complementary retirement income and expense plan! It is your customized plan that provides a roadmap for your retirement. We will review your income and expenses and provide options and strategies. It is an important tool to help you retire from the State of Florida. To receive a complementary plan, click here.