As Huntington School District executives work to complete a draft budget to fund operations during the 2018/19 school year, the business office is busier than ever as numbers get crunched and put on the page.
Once the draft budget is ready, the document will be sent to the seven members of the Huntington School Board and posted on the district website. Trustees will then spend weeks going over the plan line-by-line.
As more information about state aid and other revenues and projected district expenses become available, the budget draft will be updated and released anew to the community for its input. The budget will eventually be adopted and sent to voters in May for their verdict.
Playing a key role throughout this process will be Kathleen Acker, who has been the Huntington School District’s assistant superintendent for finance and management services since August 2015.
An integral member of Superintendent James W. Polansky’s administrative team, Ms. Acker obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in management at Long Island University-C.W. Post College and a Master of Science in technological systems management at SUNY Stony Brook. She went on to earn an advanced graduate certificate in school district administration at Stony Brook and is studying in St. John’s University’s doctoral program. She obtained state certification as a business teacher through Dowling College.
“Kathie clearly understands the current economic climate and the process through which a solid budget is constructed with respect to both expenditures and revenues,” Mr. Polansky said. “She is well versed in SED requirements and the state aid process. As importantly, she spent many years in the classroom and recognizes the importance of providing the educational support needed for our students and staff in a fiscally responsible manner.”
Prior to assuming her position in Huntington, Ms. Acker was principal of Walt Whitman High School for five years and assistant principal for six years. She earlier worked as a business education teacher at Walt Whitman for six years, simultaneously holding down duties as the coordinator of the school to career and technology integration mentor programs. She was the South Huntington School District’s and Suffolk County Business Teacher Association’s Teacher of the Year in 2005.
Before embarking on a career in education, Ms. Acker worked for Grumman Data Systems in Woodbury for nine years as an analyst and as the chief executive officer and president of KC Awning Maintenance Co., Inc. in Blue Point for seven years.
Ms. Acker is a member of the New York State Association of School Business Officials, Association of School Business Officials International and the Suffolk County Association of School Business Officials.
