When Sharron Mierau began her work as the Orcas Island School District (OISD) Administrative Secretary in 1987, the district did not own a computer. Board minutes were typed on a typewriter and the monthly enrollment reports were done by hand. Mierau is now the Human Resources Officer, and along with business and district office co-workers Sara Morgan, Ben Thomas, and Amber Johnson, she finds that a computer is essential to the organization and execution of daily work.

Sara Morgan, the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, works six hours daily year-round. She spends her time coordinating all aspects of personnel benefits and records. This includes significant data entry for benefits and changes, Labor and Industries’ claims, retirement documentation, quarterly taxes, unemployment and workers comp, payroll, sick days’ calculations, substitute pay, time sheets and answering staff questions relating to their personal situations. Last year Morgan sent out over 200 W-2 forms because the office processes work for all the Orcas Schools (including the OASIS program), the Waldron school, coaches, class and group advisors and substitutes.

Amber Johnson, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Accounts Payable/Receivable and Substitute Coordinator also greets visitors to the District Office. The office is open all year and Johnson works full time. In addition to working for the superintendent, processing accounts and making sure the substitute system is working smoothly, a portion of her job is taking board minutes, preparing pre-meeting packets and supporting the school board in their duties.

Ben Thomas, Northwest Educational Services District (ESD) Fiscal Services Manager comes to the office from Anacortes for about one and a half days per week. His primary tasks are working on the budget, preparing staff and financial reporting to the district and the state, addressing audit issues, coordinating tasks with other office staff members and working on specific projects.

Thomas has been impressed with his office-mates and at the progress that has been made. “The whole team is a part of turning around three state audit findings to zero and having a sustainable fund balance,” he said.

Sharron Mierau is responsible for personnel and human resource duties and providing support services for the Special Education, Food Service, and Transportation Departments. She is responsible for the Free and Reduced Lunch statistical reporting and the No Child Left Behind reporting, which focuses on the Highly Qualified Teachers requirement. In addition, she coordinates the facility rentals and after-hours uses of district facilities. Mierau is a full-time employee who works all year.

Over the 21 years Mierau has been with the district she has seen the reporting and paperwork (computer work) requirements continually increase. And in order for things to flow smoothly, they must be accomplished with strict attention to accuracy and deadlines. Personnel changes (especially superintendent and business manager shifts) and office FTE reductions have had a significant impact on this office at different times.

Now, although there is always more to be done, Sara Morgan stated, and her office-mates agreed, “I really think we are working as a team. That wasn’t here when I started and it’s been a really nice thing.”