Effective school board governance requires a strong understanding of both financial oversight and the fundamentals of school finance. Board members are responsible for ensuring the financial health, transparency and long-term sustainability of their districts by understanding fiscal policies, monitoring key financial indicators and making informed decisions that impact students, staff, taxpayers and the community. This session combines Finance 101 concepts with the Financial Monitoring Standards and Benchmarks developed by WASB and WASBO, providing board members with the foundational knowledge, terminology and tools needed to evaluate district finances, assess financial performance, strengthen accountability and support strategic planning for current and future budget decisions.