In a welcoming space across from the Jr./Sr. High School Gymnasium, within earshot of daily physical education classes and basketball games, is the school business office. The cozy office seems quiet and calm upon entering, but inside it's a buzz of activity.
Here, the district’s business operations are managed by three employees; Business Manager Jennifer Switzer, District Treasurer Patricia Donald, and Administrative Assistant Nichole Carlozzi. Together, these women oversee the business of our district, from the school budget to new staff orientation.
The business office is responsible for the fiscal oversight of the school district, with responsibilities in the areas of accounting, auditing, budgeting, insurance, payroll, purchasing, and more. You can think of Switzer as the chief financial officer of our school district. The professional standards for these roles are laid out by the Association of School Business Officials, and Warrensburg’s trio follows the code, “The school business administrator is expected to model moral, legal, and ethical behavior, and always make decisions and provide input to policymakers with the best interests of the students in mind.”
“We work to make sure our offerings are reliable and diverse. For a small school district, we are able to offer a lot,” shared Switzer. Switzer, Donald, and Carlozzi noted that the community and the ability to help students keeps them engaged and motivated in their work.
Our business office is the connection between the school and the community when it comes to the budget. The office makes recommendations about what will be included in the budget, what is no longer feasible, and areas that need more financial support. The team of three prioritizes the fiscal responsibility that the school has to the taxpayers. Switzer, Donald, and Carlozzi are responsible for ensuring that taxpayer funds are used to optimize the benefits our students receive. Within our school budget is funding for clubs, extracurricular activities, and exploration activities. This is at the top of the mind for the business office.
Each of the school’s clubs, activities, and classroom groups can open accounts to hold funds they receive from fundraisers, grants, or donations. Although these accounts are student-led, the business office is responsible for overseeing the operations. Student groups can take responsibility for their finances and use them as they see fit, while the business office ensures compliance.
With a range of responsibilities, no two days are the same in the business office. The door is constantly revolving with different people coming in with different questions. Right now, the budget is the focus. The work includes considering contract negotiations, health insurance, food programs, and compliance to build a solid financial plan for the future.
Just like the school year calendar, the business office experiences different “seasons.” Each time of the year has its challenges, but overall, the office ensures the business of the district runs smoothly.
We would like to thank Jennifer Switzer, Patricia Donald, and Nicole Carlozzi for their ability to make this process look so seamless! Our school district is grateful for your contributions.