Meet Shakopee Schools' new finance director

Shakopee Valley News

Name: Suzanne Johnson

Title: Shakopee Public Schools director of finance and operations

Background: Johnson grew up in Spicer and went to school at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. She worked as a public accountant for eight years before moving to a non-profit, where she worked in both the budget and finance departments. Johnson then moved to the school side of finance. Her husband works at Shakopee High School and she has three children who attend school in the district. The family has lived in Shakopee for nine years.

What are your main goals for your work within the district?

I would say my immediate goals are obviously to build a strong budget model and be able to have a healthy, sustainable, fiscally responsible budget. In terms of long term, I would say restoring the fund balance and setting those goals and figuring out where we need to go over the next few years.

What do you think the biggest challenge will be?

I want to say I hope my biggest challenges are over because it feels like these first couple months have been pretty challenging but obviously, defining goals to regrow the fund balance and carrying those out.

What do you see as the most positive aspect of Shakopee Public Schools?

I think we have really good staff who believe in what they do and I think they do a really good job. I think we're also very innovative and open to change and trying new things. People really care about our community.

What are some specific steps you can take to move past the errors of the former administration?

I think a strong foundation and strong systems in place so I think, even the models we're using now that we weren't using then will make a great deal of difference. There are a lot of checks and balances to make sure you've captured everything in the process. What happened before with misses in the budget, I think if you have a good software behind that, that really helps you to make sure you've captured everything. I picture that being one piece. Also a strong, open communication and I think we'll do what we do and what we have been doing and the people we have in place will allow us to do that.

How will your work benefit the students?

I think that what we're doing now in terms of building this, I think it sets an example of making a positive change and I also guess I hope that there's been talk of being involved in the academies in some way, being able to help be involved in one of the classes — come in and teach a little bit of the finance side for some part of that process. I also think that I'll ensure there is a fiscally sound system in place for the district to move forward for the students and the great education that they deserve. I think that what we're doing has kind of been under a cloud and we need students to be able to focus on what's important. I want to try and get out of the negativity and turn it around so we are a good example to them.

What can community members expect from you in the upcoming years?

I am very policy driven. I think that they can expect clear policies that are enforced and are communicated well. I think that I'm able to explain things to people in basic terms so that we're all on the same page. I think they can expect somebody who is passionate and positive and active involvement, approachable and open to feedback.

What can staff expect from you in the upcoming years?

Kind of the same thing. Just being very actively involved, being a good listener, being a good communicator, being able to put things in normal terms. I develop pretty strong relationships pretty quickly so I feel like that's already developing. And consistency.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I was teasing about that, I said, "I'm an accountant, I'm really not that fun." I'm easy-going, I have a sense of humor, I don't think I'm really your typical accountant, in my mind. I don't know. I like to work out, travel, camp. I don't have as exciting a thing as Keith (Gray) and Gary (Anger). I don't sing, I don't play in a band. Maybe with my kids, as a drummer. Not great at anything in particular. No talents.