Certainly 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. California’s K-12 schools are long past the time of “making do” with less money, and are fighting to provide students with an education that prepares them for the 21st century. So a good business services person is invaluable to a school district.
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.
Myers acknowledged the challenges of working in business services after years of smoke and mirrors budgeting during the Schwarzenegger era, followed by a strong national recession. Often the business services leader has to draft multiple scenarios for the district budget each year.
“We wait for the governor’s budget proposal, the May Revise, the signed budget, and with each, develop scenarios to present to the board of trustees that will have the least negative impact on students,” Myers said. “Each plan is adjusted for the unknown, the best and the worst case scenario.
“This year, ‘triggers’ have been added to the gauntlet. If the California state revenue assumptions fall short, we may be facing mid-year cuts. Along with the possibility of mid-year cuts, the state has added additional deferrals to our apportionment, which keeps all of us scrambling to effectively manage cash flow issues. With each budget presentation the assumptions change, but the goal remains constant, to provide a quality education to every student.”
Despite the increased challenges she faces, Myers still found time to give back by mentoring a business major from California State University, Northridge this past year.
“Mentoring a business student from CSUN was a great experience,” she said. “He was genuinely surprised at the breadth of the job of a school district CBO, and the diverse opportunities available in a school district business department. We were able to offer him many challenging problem-solving opportunities. He gathered, analyzed and presented financial data that was used to evaluate possible budget solutions related to staffing ratios and transportation issues.”
Myers, Superintendent Robert Nolet and the Sulphur Springs School Board share a focus on disseminating information to all stakeholders, especially during these challenging times. Giving information and taking feedback can be invaluable when facing difficult decisions.
“Multiple study sessions are held throughout the school year that focus on budget, the continual changes that are occurring during these difficult financial times and possible scenarios to address them,” Myers said. “These meetings are held at school sites in conjunction with our bimonthly board meetings and are well attended and received by teachers, parents and community members.
“We also host quarterly financial meetings for our administrative staff, principals and the heads of each department. We review budgets, discuss updates and possible resolutions to challenges they may be facing due to reductions to their staffs and/or budgets.”
Myers said the superintendent and district trustees host several dinner meetings at the district office each year for PTA members, site council members, teacher association members and administrators.
“I have had the opportunity to speak at these dinners, and provide information to these groups on the current fiscal challenges that our district is facing,” she said. “These dinners not only serve as a means of disseminating information, but also provide a vehicle for stakeholders to ask questions and voice their concerns.”
In addition, a quarterly staff and community district newsletter is distributed that contains articles pertaining to district fiscal health and how it is addressing the challenges it faces, while still providing a quality education for all of its students.
“Continued communication keeps our staff members and community connected and well informed on the multiple challenges our district and education in general are facing in these difficult fiscal times,” Myers said.
Myers entered the world of school leadership in 1995 as a principal at Leona Cox Community School in Sulphur Springs SD. She served two principalships until moving to her current position in 2005. Through it all, Myers said ACSA has played a positive role in her administrative career from the very beginning.
“I began attending my local Santa Clarita Valley ACSA meetings as a teacher interested in becoming an administrator,” she said. “It provided me the opportunity to attend the ACSA-sponsored functions and meet with administrators in Santa Clarita. When I became a principal, I was selected by my colleagues to represent our district at the local level, where I served on the executive board in multiple capacities.
“EdCal has been a staple in my career, keeping me informed of the latest news in education, along with career opportunities. ACSA has provided me with social and networking opportunities that have led to lifelong friendships.”
In turn, ACSA is pleased to be able to honor a member who has performed so well in leading schools.
“I am honored to be receiving this statewide recognition for my work,” Myers said. “I have been extremely fortunate in my career, to work with an outstanding superintendent, talented administrators, educators and support staffs.”
Myers will be formally honored along with each of ACSA’s 2001 Administrators of the Year during this year’s Leadership Summit, Nov. 3-5 in Sacramento. Visit www.acsa.org/leadershipsummit to register.