Specifications and Instructions for: FINANCIAL ADVISORY AND PLANNING SERVICES RFP27-0005

Description: INTRODUCTION The Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation (CiTi) is seeking proposals from reputable, qualified and experienced individuals or firms to provide independent financial advisory and long-range fiscal planning services. SCOPE OF WORK The objective of this financial advisory and long-range fiscal planning RFP is to select a firm(s) or individual(s) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of a school district's financial management practices and budgeting processes to determine if the school district is an effective stewardship of public resources; if the school district's practices promote transparency, and if the process and practices position the school district for long-range financial stability. CiTi is soliciting for this work to serve a dual purpose. Proposers may elect (via the 'District Designation Form' contained herein) which purpose they wish to be considered for: PURPOSE I: CiTi is soliciting for proposals on behalf of itself for a firm or individual to serve the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District and the Hannibal Central School District. The awarded provider will engage in a contract with CiTi. CiTi will oversee services provided to the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District and Hannibal Central School District. PURPOSE II: CiTi is soliciting for proposals on behalf of the Phoenix Central School District. The awarded provider will engage in a contract directly with the Phoenix Central School District to provide services. Services may include any or all, but not limited to, the following areas: - Budget Development and Financial Planning: Review a school district's budget development process, financial forecasting methods, and multi-year planning practices to assess effectiveness in supporting informed decision-making and long-range fiscal sustainability. - Resource Allocation: Evaluate how financial resources are allocated across instructional, operational, and administrative functions to determine whether allocations align with Board priorities and the school district's educational mission. - Financial Management Practices: Assess the school district's financial policies, internal controls, purchasing practices, and fiscal monitoring and oversight procedures to identify opportunities for enhanced efficiency, accountability, and transparency. - Staffing and Organizational Planning: Review current personnel configurations, staffing trends, and facilities utilization and management as they relate to organizational growth in the context of enrollment, educational programming, and long-range financial capacity to support sustainable operations. - Revenue and Fund Management: Evaluate the management of operating revenues, grants, contracts, reserve funds, and other financial resources to ensure they are administered in accordance with Board policy, legal requirements, and sound fiscal practices. - Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability: Assess the school district's overall financial position, including structural budget balance, fund balance policies, reserve planning, debt management, and future financial obligations, with consideration of maintaining educational programs while ensuring fiscal stability. Deliverables may include, but are not limited to: preparing reports and developing presentations; presenting study findings, analysis, and recommendations; attending and conducting meetings with school district administration, the board of education and/or members of the public. INSURANCE REQUIREMENT The awarded firm(s)/individual(s) shall maintain liability insurance, with serving school district named as an additional insured, in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate. The awardee shall present certificate of insurance evidencing such coverage and shall provide up to thirty (30) days' written notice to the school district prior to any cancellation, non-renewal, or material modification of coverage.