How many years have you been in the school business profession?
A little over 25 years.
How did you first learn about and then become involved in the school business profession?
I was a state auditor, so, you know, that's how they get a lot of us. Then I started my career in schools at Upper Arlington City Schools, as an accountant.
What is your proudest career accomplishment?
The most rewarding and proudest is probably when my children were young, and I did interim treasurer work. I was able to really go around and help a lot of needy districts, because that's who typically calls you when doing interim work. It's not the ones that are like up and running and going great that calls or needs an interim most of the time. One of the districts that I helped was already in fiscal emergency and I helped them get out.
What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
Just simply helping others learn about school funding. It doesn't matter whether it is a stakeholder group, other colleagues, or younger folks in this career path that we're mentoring, it's just about trying to share the wealth of knowledge that you've learned along the way, and that you're still learning.
What would be on the gag reel of your life?
I say the gag reel of my life would involve how my parents were both from Appalachia, and so coming up to Ohio, there is an interesting movie that was out in 2020 called Hillbilly Elegy, it is a great depiction of what that transition looks like
How many years have you been an OASBO member?
I've been in an OASBO member for more than 20 years. I don't know the exact number of years, but since I've been in the profession more than about 25 years, I've probably been an OASBO member since pretty early in my career.
How and/or why did you first get involved in OASBO?
I got involved initially because the treasurer I was working for at the time, David Varda, at Upper Arlington Schools was big on learning and gave me the opportunity to come to the different seminars with OASBO and I just loved them.
What roles/positions have you held, and what are your current roles in OASBO?
Pretty much anything but an officer position because the type of positions I chose would be something that was on a committee or if someone needed a speaker. I was basically filling a need where I saw it.
What has been your favorite part of being involved in OASBO?
I love the networking and the growth as a professional you do when you get involved with OASBO. It's just helpful during a lot of difficult times working in a school district.
Why should someone get involved?
I think if you're going to be a treasurer, you're going to be a lifelong learner because nothing stays stagnant. There's always change, and because of all those changes you have to stay up on that, or you're not going to be very good at your job. OASBO helps with that so you should get involved.
Where should someone start to get involved?
I think just going to a seminar is a good place to start, and you go from there. The next step is to maybe get on a committee.
**Penny Rucker previously served as Treasurer/CFO at Beavercreek City Schools