Pittsfield Schools Hire MCLA Administrator as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The School Committee voted to appoint Bonnie Howland as the district's assistant superintendent for business and finance.
"The work I have done has taught me about finding balance, about how financial responsibility and fairness can work together to open doors for students and strengthen institutions," Howland said during a special meeting on Thursday.
She has worked in higher education and public service for over 20 years, as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' (MCLA) director of student accounts since 2015, and the director of student financial services since 2018.
Kristen Behnke, former assistant superintendent for business and finance, was tapped as the business manager for Berkshire Hills Regional School District after more than 20 years with Pittsfield Public Schools.
Members of the School Committee interviewed Howland in the Reid Middle School library before voting to hire her, pending contract negotiations. She was the only candidate put forward for the second round of interviews.
"Then I had one final call with Miss Howland to really share that this is a really critical position for our district, and to make sure that she felt that she understood the importance of the role and the importance for our team and district," Interim Superintendent Latifah Philips reported.
"And she shared that she was, and so we felt that she was ready to be our candidate to put forward."
Howland explained that she began at an entry-level position, and worked her way up to MCLA's director of student accounts, and then the director of student financial services, to oversee the merger with the financial aid office.
"I was charged with bringing two teams together, streamlining communication between departments, all while learning the new world of financial aid regulations at the federal and state level," she explained.
"I also maintain and oversee the revenue collection for the institution and balance the allocation given to me by the institution as financial aid."
She is pursuing business administrator licensing from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, which was well-received.
"I have many transferable skills that I know would serve me well in this new position, from managing budgets and analyzing data to leading teams, improving processes, and building strong relationships across departments and with other constituents," Howland said.
"I believe your staff has to be supported at every level. You should celebrate the successes and have their back when the going gets tough. I've always believed that no matter your title, the work is about the people you are serving. You need to have clear communication, solve problems together, and stay focused on the mission."
She was asked questions about maintaining accountability, collaborating with city leaders, and managing the budget. While there will be new aspects to this position, such as payroll and the bidding process, Howland sees parallels between the two.
"In this role, the students would be younger coming through, but I think North Adams and Pittsfield are similar in a lot of ways when it comes to our population and the students that we're bringing through the schools," she said.
Outside of her career at MCLA, she helped her daughter, Noelle Howland, open No Paws Left Behind, a nonprofit animal shelter in North Adams. The shelter celebrated its one-year anniversary over the summer.
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