FY24 A.I. Effective and Efficient Trends in School Finance and Operations

Practice Team Lead: Finance & Schools

Areas of practice: public school district operations and finance, human resources, municipal finance, and information technology

Biography

After spending much of her early career in corporate banking, Heather transitioned into public service. For over a decade she has worked in public school district operations and finance, serving in positions such as data analyst, accountant, manager of accounting and systems, and director of fiscal affairs for Windham and Avon Public Schools in Connecticut. By writing, implementing, and training staff on best practice-based policies and procedures — covering a multitude of areas such as payroll, benefits, purchasing, accounting, facilities management, nutrition services operations, and student activities — Heather has transformed department activities into exemplary models. Her work implementing modern IT solutions and creating paperless workflows has generated greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability for school districts. Some of Heather’s proudest accomplishments include creating and implementing the first nutrition services consortium in Connecticut, designing benchmarking protocols for both certified and non-certified staff negotiation strategies, fashioning, negotiating and implementing health plan changes, instituting risk management practices to address workers compensation costs, and presenting on public school finance best practices at Quinnipiac University’s summer 092 administrative certificate program. She holds School Business Administrator certifications in both Connecticut and Massachusetts as well as a New England Swim Official credential, often officiating on a volunteer basis throughout the northeast. Heather serves as a Board Member for her regional high school booster club and sits on the Principal’s School Council for the regional middle school.

Degrees

MS, Organizational Leadership, Quinnipiac University

BGS, Business Administration, Eastern Connecticut State University

Areas of practice: public school district leadership development and management, K-12 human resources, and K-12 education, and executive searches

Biography

Dr. Wilson’s experience in the field of education includes 7 years as superintendent of schools in Sudbury, MA and 3 years as assistant superintendent for human resources in Brookline, MA.  In addition, Dr. Wilson has experience as a middle school principal, assistant principal, and mathematics instructor (middle school, high school, and junior college) in California, Pennsylvania, and Florida.  Her experience includes leadership and development of high-performing teams at the school and district levels focused on meeting diverse student needs through collaboration and a focus on continuous improvement. She also served as the founding principal of Diablo Vista Middle School in Danville, CA with responsibility to supervise construction of the building, conduct all hiring, and develop programmatic design for the new school.  Dr. Wilson also has taught a doctorate level human resources management course at Boston College as an adjunct faculty member.

Degrees

PhD, Educational Administration, Boston College

MS, Curriculum, California State University, East Bay

BS, Mathematics & Secondary Education, Bloomsburg University

Susan Bottan returned to Wayland Public Schools in July, 2023 to begin her 8th year as the Director of Finance and Operations for the Wayland Public Schools following a 2-year engagement as Director of Finance and Operations for the Reading Public Schools. Susan began her School Business Official career in 1998 following 16 years working in the roles of manufacturing analyst and marketing and development director for private and public corporations. Susan began her career as a public school official in 1998 for Lexington Public Schools. Over the years, Susan has been privileged to also serve within the Lincoln and Marlborough Public Schools. Susan is the current Vice President of MASBO. Susan has earned undergraduate degrees in education and early childhood development from Lesley University, MS in child development and child care studies from Boston University (Wheelock College), and MBA from Simmons University.