Huron Valley Schools’ Assistant Superintendent of Business & Operations Named Oakland County School Business Administrator of the Year

By Press release submission

Jun 6, 2022

Geoffrey VanGoethem, assistant superintendent of business & operations for Huron Valley Schools (HVS) has been named the 2021-22 Oakland County School Business Administrator of the Year. The Oakland County School Business Officials (OCSBO) announced this at their meeting on Friday, May 27 at Oakland Schools Main Campus in Waterford.

Annually, since 1998, the Oakland County School Business Officials have awarded the Business Administrator of the Year Award to a local education leader demonstrating outstanding accomplishments, dedicated years of service and commitment to excellence in furthering the field of school business management.

VanGoethem served as the president of OCSBO during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Through his leadership, OCSBO members were afforded special opportunities to share information and concerns related to the global pandemic. During this challenging tenure, he is known for maintaining a steady and calm voice reminding colleagues that they were all in it together.

“I had the pleasure of working with Mr. VanGoethem while he served as the OCSBO president during the 2020-21 school year. His more than 15 years of experience in accounting, both public and private, finance and school business operations is invaluable,” said Kathy Abela, OCSBO president. “His gifts are truly on display when he boils down the art of finance for those without a finance background.”

VanGoethem has served HVS since 2015 when he was hired as the supervisor of finance. Since that time he has been promoted to executive director of business & operations and currently serves as assistant superintendent of business & operations.

Some of his major accomplishments while serving HVS include:

Leadership in negotiating contracts with all employee groups. Recommending incentives in order to retain and attract staff while building the district’s fund balance.
Telling the school district’s positive story related to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), including dialog with members of the board of education and members of the community.
Guiding the district through the successful implementation of several bond and sinking fund projects.

“Geoffrey is a key asset to our district’s leadership team and truly deserves this recognition,” said Huron Valley Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Paul Salah. “He has been charged with systematizing our practices in all his departments and rises to the occasion daily.”

VanGoethem is a graduate of Michigan State University where he earned his bachelor's in finance. He is also a licensed CPA and holds his master’s in educational leadership and administration from Oakland University.