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Allen Sluka, Treasurer/CFO & Director of Business Services, Garfield Height City Schools

By Allen Sluka posted 01-19-2022 04:14 PM

  

 

How many years have you been in the school business profession?

27 years in the school business profession and 42 years overall in the public setting.

 

How did you first learn about and get involved in the school business profession?

When I first started with the state auditor’s office back in the day there were three areas: schools, counties, and municipalities. I was placed in the school division, so I started auditing schools right out of college, and the natural progression from there was becoming a school treasurer.

 

What’s your proudest career accomplishment?

I have more than one, but I think that the proudest one is that I was part of the OASBO Leadership Academy, and I was chosen to be the keynote speaker at the graduation among my peers that were in that class with me.

But there's so many, when you've been in its profession for 27 years, there's so many highs and lows.

 

What do you feel is the most important part of your job?

I think the most important job is being that the support piece. You're the support, you're not an actual educator. You're there to support behind the scenes for the administration, the board of education, and the community. If nobody knows what you're doing, that means you must be doing it right, because they're not complaining or criticizing. The biggest piece is that you are the support piece for the education process.

 

What is on the top of your personal bucket list?

I want to travel when I retire, so I think it's just traveling to different places in the world.

 

Who is your hero?

I have two of them. My mom and my grandfather.

 

What something your colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?

I'm a big “Star Trek” fan, and I had a whole Christmas tree of “Star Trek” ornaments. I think the other thing they’d be surprised to learn is I love Hallmark Christmas movies.

 

If you were an office supply item, what would you be?

I think I'd be a stapler just to be able to bring things together and just keep them together.

 

If you were an animal, which would you be?

I would be a dog because they're loyal, friendly, and just trustworthy.

 

What's your favorite TV show?

West Wing

 

Favorite activity outside of work?

I'm a big sports guy. I like playing sports and attending sporting events, so I do that any change I get.

 

How did you first get involved in OASBO?

When I first became a treasurer, the Northeast OASBO group approached me about getting involved, and I was lucky enough to get to know some of the past presidents of OASBO. They encouraged me to join and it's the greatest relationship that a treasurer could have because those were good people.

 

What positions have you held in OASBO?

I was the Northeast Regional Director on the OASBO Board, and then I went through the chairs for the Northeast Chapter from Treasurer to President.

 

What has been the best or your favorite part of being an OASBO member?

Meeting the people that are members of OASBO. They're so supportive. When you talk about longevity in this career as a treasurer or a school business leader, I think the relationships you build and having those relationships is what makes somebody successful in their position.

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