I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER

As noted in my “Fork in The Road” and “Running a School Cafeteria Was So Much Fun” posts, my career move from foodservice entrepreneur to high school business manager was as good as it gets.


I was still in foodservice

Not only did I get to stay involved in foodservice (cafeteria, catering), but my creative side was satisfied as the IT aspect of operating a large high school was just beginning. Feeding students and staff was so invigorating, but I could apply my desire to create efficiencies with technology.


A long career

I worked in three high schools over my 30+ year career, as well as three administrative departments. My responsibility was the facility and financial areas of the operation. Basically, it encompassed anything and everything not education based as I wasn’t a certificated teacher.


Much work and development needed

The time was the late 80s and financial transactions (fees, bus passes) were tracked on a cash register. Textbooks were tracked on cards. Hard to believe how archaic when I reflect on it.

My focus was to provide the best service to my clients (students, parents, staff, administration). In doing so, I developed methods that were more efficient for all. Reducing the effort and tasks to administer my duties and responsibilities while producing better, relevant, and timely information for all parties was my continual goal. Nothing frustrates me more than knowing there is a more efficient way to work. The investment would pay huge dividends.


Technology to the rescue

I knew that I could use technology to perform these tasks more efficiently and accurately. There were no specific programs available, and I realized I would need to have a customized program developed for the school’s specific needs and functionality. I contacted the school division IT department, and they recommended Miles Gibson, a programmer – Milestone Software. Good choice.

The initial cost would be too much for one school and I convinced the other high schools to share the development budget. We could all benefit from this technology and our collective knowledge also added to a better program.

Miles created the software and systems that worked with current databases, although the program was developed from scratch, not an easy task by any means and more difficult than can be imagined. The program was called BRITS (Book Registration Information Tracking System). I was also able to work with the division’s IT department and staff to create better and more streamlined processes with the daily, monthly, and yearly processes. It was an invigorating team effort.

The business world took note – the school’s photocopying rep was impressed with BRITS – and I was awarded a Xerox Innovation Award for my work.


Efficiency was my goal

Utilizing student ID cards and scanners with barcodes allowed staff to process students without even touching a keyboard. One staff member commented that I ran a slick operation. I took that as a compliment.

Furthermore, I was having fun. It allowed me and my staff the time to interact with students and teachers without the pressure. Serving 900 students and 50 staff daily in a dynamic setting can be daunting, but exciting and fulfilling as well.

I fed off the energy of the students in a spirited high school setting (sports, theatre, music). The creativity of the students was something to behold. This YouTube video of Tommy Shaw with the Cleveland-based Contemporary Youth Orchestra further demonstrates the energy and talent that was much like our young adults.


A dynamic setting all around

I can’t ignore the other business manager positions I held with school division departments. The ones that stand out included Indigenous Learning Services and LINC (Language Instruction for New Canadians) as well working with the curriculum consultants for K-12. Eye-opening is an understatement.

The people I met and worked with were professional and dynamic. It also provided me with an insight to the diverse culture of being a Canadian, and overall it was a humbling experience.

My background and understanding of being an entrepreneur provided me with the incentive and vision to provide the best service in a public setting. Everyone benefited.