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Claudia Zaler, Treasurer/CFO, Chillicothe City Schools

By Claudia Zaler posted 07-07-2021 03:05 PM

  

How many years have you been in the school business profession?
I have been a school business professional for the past 17 years.

How did you first learn about and become involved in the school business profession?
When I graduated from college, my first job was as a staff accountant at an accounting firm. Then, I moved on to school audits and while doing that, I decided that I liked that area of concentration and eventually applied for an assistant treasurer position.

What is your proudest career accomplishment?
To date, my proudest career accomplishment is serving in the Cupp/Patterson Fair School Funding Plan Workgroup, and the accomplishments we've had with that group.

What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
I feel like the most important part of the job of being a treasurer/CFO of a school district is good communication with school staff and your community, and maintaining transparency.

What is one thing you feel makes your district unique in the state?
I think what makes Waverly City Schools unique in the state is our well-rounded student body. We not only have a great sports facility, but we also have one of the only an one of the largest auditoriums in southern Ohio, focusing on music and arts at the same level as sports and athletics.

What's at the top of your professional bucket?
My top professional bucket list item would be to see the Fair School Funding Plan become law to make it easier for treasurers in our profession to do their job, forecasting for the future and for the betterment of the student body as a whole.
**Claudia answered this question before the biennial budget process was finished and it was known that the majority of the Fair School Funding Plan would be adopted. Congrats, Claudia!**

What is at the top of your personal bucket list?
Most of you don't know that I'm just a farm girl, and I have horses. That's my pastime, my hobby. So the top of my personal bucket list is to go out west on a dude ranch for maybe a week and live like they did or they still do on ranches.

If you were an office supply item, which would you be, and why?
If I were an office supply item, I think I'd want to be the stapler. I feel like the treasurer holds the district together, so I feel like a stapler is a good representation of that.

What's your favorite movie?
Well, I have two. I guess when I got older, it was "Pure Country," but in my lifetime, from the time of a small girl, it's been the "Fox and the Hound."

When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what questions do they always ask you?
Well, most people in my personal life see me dress differently than people in my professional life. So the first question is always, "really, you're a treasurer? How did you manage that?" My answer to them is, I love financial work, but my favorite pastime is my horses and my farm life. They are my stress reliever.

How many years have you been an OASBO member?
I've been an OASBO member for 14 years.

What has been your favorite part of being involved in OASBO?
My favorite part of being involved in OASBO has and probably always will be the people. I get to meet, have conversations with, and learn from those individuals from across the state.


***Claudia worked at Waverly City Schools at the time of being recognized. She now works at Chillicothe City Schools.

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07-08-2021 01:36 PM

Claudia,
   You are an inspiration!  You are always a breath of fresh air, farm-girl or not!  (giggle) I thank you for the privilege to work with you AND learn from you! The hard work you put in with the "Fair School Funding" work group has paid off for all of Ohio.  We are thankful for you!  Never stop smiling and bringing joy to others. --- Kristin O'Dell