The inaugural school and parish business administrator meeting was held Oct. 10 in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Hall, Freehold. Sponsored by the Department of Catholic Schools, the meeting provided the more than 50 school and parish business administrators who attended the opportunity to learn from their peers and compare best practices.

“The purpose was two-fold: to offer a ‘thank you’ for all the business administrators do during the year, and to impart information from the presenters,” said Mary Sparks, diocesan coordinator of school finances. “We have these meetings periodically for secretaries and principals, but we have never had the opportunity to gather all [the administrators] together before to share ideas and network with each other.”

Presenters from both the Diocese of Trenton and its outside business partners reviewed various aspects of the multi-faceted position, including tuition assistance and financial aid, co-operative purchasing, establishing a health savings account, payroll and employment benefits.

Administrators were informed of ongoing and new offerings by the Diocese to make their role more productive. A common extranet site, an accessible library of forms and documents, an electronic discussion board and a monthly newsletter will all serve to update and standardize information throughout the Diocese.

Participants enjoyed the camaraderie and information shared at the workshop. Molly Kohler, business manager in Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade, said, “The presentation … was a wonderful way for all our counterparts to meet and discuss ideas to better our parishes and schools.”