Seattle Schools CFO named

From SPS Communications and Superintendent Banda:

I’m very pleased to announce that Kenneth Gotsch has been hired as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance. He brings extensive experience to the district and will join us on December 2, filling the position vacated by Duggan Harman.

As Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, Mr. Gotsch will provide leadership and expertise in financial management and in the business and finance operations of the district. He is responsible for ensuring an effective management and budget system is in place to support schools. Reporting directly to the Superintendent, Mr. Gotsch will oversee the departments of finance (Budget, Payroll, Grants, Accounting, Purchasing, Contracts) and audit response, as well as provide leadership for financial matters related to Human Resources (Employee/Labor Relations, Compensation and Benefits, Substitute Services, Employment, Employee Assistance Program, Leadership Development and the Teacher Incentive Fund).

Mr. Gotsch has an impressive leadership background in finance and in K-12 education. He comes to Seattle Public Schools from Chicago, where he recently left the role of vice president for business affairs/chief financial officer at Columbia College Chicago. Previously, he was Vice Chancellor for Finance/Chief Financial Officer for City Colleges of Chicago, Chief Financial Officer for the Los Angeles Unified School District and Chief Fiscal Officer for Chicago Public Schools.

In addition, Mr. Gotsch has served as a board member and supervisory committee chair at Chicago Municipal Credit Union, as Deputy Director for tax administration at the Chicago Department of Revenue, as a bond analyst for Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission and as staff consultant for Price Waterhouse’s government and litigation support group.

Mr. Gotsch earned a Master of Arts degree in public finance from the University of Chicago Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration and finance with a minor in political science from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He has received several awards and honors including most recently the Bill Wise Award in Urban Education for outstanding commitment to leadership, innovation and professionalism from the Council of Great City Schools.