Everyone working in education these days is facing many more challenges than they used to, given $20 billion in funding cuts that place California at the bottom of the nation in per-pupil funding. Among the people facing the greatest challenges are those who work in business services. Fortunately for Sulphur Springs School District, it has one of the best in Vicky Myers, assistant superintendent of business services. Myers is ACSA’s 2011 Business Services Administrator of the Year.
Business services is the backbone of public schools; it is what makes schools tick. Decisions made at the business office affect operations from the district to the school site. With the state budget in a state of perpetual limbo, business officials are left with the tough responsibility of doing more with less. Collaboration is key; working with other statewide and national associations, as well as with the state and federal departments of education, is a crucial component of business services. At the heart of the job is the most important task of all: to make sure the students of California have the resources they need to excel.