Sarah Jahn, who has worked within the Juneau School District for a decade, will be taking over as the next Director of Administrative Services, according to a release from the district Tuesday.
Jahn will be replacing David Means — who is retiring after 13 years of service at the district and 36 years of school business in Alaska.
“I am very excited about the new position and I look forward to the expanded responsibilities,” Jahn said in a telephone interview with the Empire Tuesday.
Jahn will be responsible for managing the nearly $90 million school district budget and overseeing the finance and payroll departments. The position also directs a diverse collection of programs such as pupil transportation, food service, information technology, RALLY (Recreation, Arts, Learning, Leadership for Youth), Community Schools, maintenance and facilities.
“I think my inside knowledge will be beneficial,” Jahn said. “I have learned a lot about where we spend our budget and the majority of it is with our benefits and wages. With the budget challenges, I will have to figure out how to maintain making the district a desired employer.”
The district Fiscal Year 2019 budget has cuts of nearly $3.5 million.
Jahn started at the district in 2008 as a payroll and benefits specialist, She moved to the payroll supervisor and then was promoted again to finance officer. Jahn holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Alaska Southeast, as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Accounting and Associate of Applied Science in Business Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Jahn was selected after an interview committee of representatives from the Juneau Education Association, Juneau Education Support Staff, Juneau School Administrators Association, Board of Education, City and Borough of Juneau and central office held public interviews on April 23.
Superintendent Mark Miller said he was pleased with the selection.
“Sarah has been doing an excellent job as our finance officer and payroll supervisor for the past nine years,” Miller said in the release. “We are excited to support Sarah in her continued professional growth as she begins her new position of Director of Administrative Services.”
Jahn will start July 1 after Means officially retires.
“I definitely have big shoes to fill,” Jahn said. “I appreciate his level of expertise. I am looking forward to following in Mr. Means’ footsteps and continue his legacy of excellence.”
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
