CASBO School Business Profession Workforce Index 2026(an Annual Survey)

Scope
For purposes of this survey, "School Business Professionals" include classified employees, classified managers, confidential employees, and those who support the business and operational functions of a school district or county office of education.

This survey does NOT include: Teachers, Instructional aides, Principals, Assistant Principals, Academic administrators, Superintendents, Assistant/Associate Superintendents of Educational Services or Instruction nor Certificated instructional staff

Section A: District Characteristics & Workforce Profile
"Who are we?"

Purpose: Establish profile of California's K–12 School Business Profession and allow comparisons across districts.

1.School/District (write out full name)

2.Your primary role or similar title (select one):

Chief Business Official / Assistant Superintendent, Business Services

Human Resources, Assistant Superintendent or Director

Director of Fiscal Services

7.Approximately how many total School Business Professionals are employed by your organization?
(Do NOT include teachers, principals, instructional staff, nor academic administrators.)

SECTION B
Workforce Capacity & Operational Readiness

Purpose - This section measures the capacity of your School Business workforce to effectively support district operations today and into the future.

8.How well is your current School Business workforce able to meet your LEA’s operational demands?

We consistently have capacity beyond current operational demands

We have sufficient capacity to meet operational demands

We generally meet operational demands, but some areas are stretched

We struggle to meet operational demands in several areas

We are unable to meet critical operational demands

13.To what extent is your LEA prepared for anticipated retirements and leadership transitions within the School Business Profession?

14.Approximately what percentage of your School Business workforce do you expect to retire within the next three years?

16.How effectively does your LEA's staffing approval process allow you to respond to changing workforce needs?

17.My LEA's School Business position descriptions accurately reflect the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities required today.

SECTION C
Workforce Development & Career Pipeline

Can California develop the next generation of School Business professionals?

18.In your recent experience, how easy or difficult is it to recruit qualified candidates for School Business positions?

Very Easy

Somewhat Easy

Neither Easy nor Difficult

Somewhat Difficult

Very Difficult

19.Does your LEA have defined career pathways for School Business Professionals?

Yes

In development

No

Unsure

21.My LEA invests adequate time and funding in professional learning for School Business Professionals (classified staff).

SECTION D
Future Outlook

"What does the profession need next?"

23.How optimistic are you about the future of California's School Business Profession?

Very optimistic

Somewhat optimistic

Neutral

Somewhat pessimistic

Very pessimistic

24.Which workforce trends will have the greatest impact on the School Business Profession?

Other (please specify)

25.In your opinion, what ONE statewide investment would have the greatest positive impact on the future School Business Profession and its workforce?

SECTION E
School Business Profession Index

26.Compared with five years ago, your LEA’s ability to recruit, develop, and retain School Business Professionals is:

27.How would you rate the School Business Profession’s capacity to support student success in California?

28.Within your LEA’s School Board/Superintendent, the School Business Profession is recognized as a distinct professional career field.

29.Complete this sentence:
The School Business Profession in California is...