The Salem Central School District welcomed a School Business Administrator to the administrative team. William Brown joins Salem Washington Academy with a student-focused, results-oriented mindset.
Salem hired Brown, who has his School District Business Leader certification, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former School Business Manager Karen MacGregor. After 23 years of teaching chemistry, most recently at Lake George CSD, he brings a unique perspective to the role and is committed to strengthening the connection between the classroom and the business office.
“Money should be directed toward improving education, and we should make our processes as efficient as possible. Every dollar we spend should support the people who are educating students or the resources needed to facilitate learning,” said Brown.
School district business officials serve as the chief financial officers of their districts, managing a wide range of responsibilities including budgeting, accounting, procurement, human resources, and more.
Professionals who fill the role come from diverse backgrounds. Brown’s extensive experience as a teacher has given him valuable insight into how financial decisions directly impact what is possible in the classroom. His School District Business Leader certification allows him to join the district’s administrative team.
“I understand both the needs of the classroom and the fiscal challenges we face. I want to use my experience to navigate these situations so we can provide our students with the best education possible,” Brown shared.
During development of the 2025–2026 budget, a funding gap was identified, prompting the district to create a five-year financial plan to guide spending as it works to regain financial stability. Mr. Brown will work closely with the administration team and district treasurer to continue leading the implementation of this plan.