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Chad Welker, Director of Business Services, Ohio Schools Council

By Chad Welker posted 06-22-2021 11:42 PM

  

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

How did you first learn about and then become involved in the school business profession?
My English Teacher at Brush High School, Jean Wall, recommended me to the Curriculum Advisory Council at South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools. In this role, I met Dr. Bill Zelei and served on his Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, and then while I was at Case Western Reserve University, he offered me an internship opportunity with him and Dr. Roger Goudy during my college years. After a few years in investment banking, Dr. Zelei encouraged me to pursue my school business career at South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools.

What is your proudest career accomplishment?
My role in the development and implementation of the District’s Reopening Plan for the 2020-21 School Year. In order to facilitate reopening our schools safely, we moved twelve grade levels across the district in a month so that all of our preschools through sixth-grade students could attend school every day, while our seventh through twelfth graders could attend every other day. Over the past year, we have had to redevelop all of our organizational systems, from Cleaning Procedures, Transportation Models, Food Service Delivery Models, our new 1:1 Chromebook Initiative, all of our logistics for school events, and much more.

What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
To keep our students and staff warm, safe, and dry.

What is one thing you feel makes your district unique in the state?
While the Twinsburg City School District is a larger community, it has a very special small community feel to it. Over the past several years at Twinsburg City School District, I’ve been fortunate enough to be heavily involved in a number of very special events, such as the Cost of Freedom Tribute Event where our local VFW hosted a miniature replica of the Vietnam Wall at our high school and our Annual Twins Day Festival where twins from across the globe gather every August. It’s a very special community and I’m proud to be part of it.

What is at the top of your professional bucket list?
At some point in my career, I aspire to lead my own organization or run my own company.

What is at the top of your personal bucket list item?
To go to Athens with my family

If you were an office supply item, which would you be and why?
A paper clip as I work hard to bring various items or people together but try to be flexible enough to successfully develop the best solution possible for the organization.

Favorite TV Show?
Shark Tank or The Profit - Just love any type of business show and seeing how entrepreneurs develop solutions for consumers

Favorite Movie?
Either Dodgeball or Office Space - Honestly any movie with good slapstick humor such as if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball

How and/or why did you first get involved in OASBO?
One of my mentors, Dr. Roger Goudy, was a firm believer in networking. He always said that it's not always about what you know, but who you know, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. As a young business professional, I always valued my relationships with other school business officials and believe that this collaboration continues to make me who I am today. I can’t tell you how many times OASBO and other networking events have helped make my job easier by implementing the best practices of others and learning from others' mistakes.

What has been the best, or your favorite part of being involved in OASBO?
Networking with my colleagues and learning from everyone

What is your best OASBO experience so far?
My first series of meetings with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. It has been a great experience working with everyone who is part of this committee and exploring a wide variety of perspectives on the topic and I am looking forward to seeing the impact that this committee’s work will have on the future development of OASBO as an organization.

Why should someone get involved?
I believe that OASBO is a critical piece to ensuring that you are the best school business official that you can be. OASBO helps unite school business officials to become better advocates for our profession and our students, provides high-quality professional development to keep school business officials current with best practices, and provides terrific opportunities for school business officials to network with one another. I’ve been very impressed over the past several years in OASBO’s responsiveness to meet the evolving needs of its membership. For example, this year, the availability of rich online professional development is simply amazing and many of the sessions are free or offered at a very nominal fee.

Where should someone start to get involved?
There are many ways to get involved. I think one of the greatest things about school business officials is our willingness to help one another be successful. If you know a member of OASBO, I would recommend reaching out to them to discuss ways to get involved with OASBO. You can always reach out to your local chapter leadership, committee leadership, or the friendly staff at OASBO. The membership of OASBO is committed to making sure they are considerate of your time, interests, and will customize your OASBO membership experience to make it beneficial for everyone. My best recommendation is that please don’t be afraid to talk to any one of us. I welcome any phone calls, emails, etc, and all of us want to help maximize the value of your OASBO membership.


***Chad previously served as Business Manager at Twinsburg City Schools. 

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