Administrator Spotlight - Kathleen Crain

Spotlight

Kathleen Crain, Division Manager, APSCN Financial Applications at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, notes that Arkansas educators should be very proud of what DESE has done in setting up a statewide financial system. “When I attend federal meetings related to collecting data, Arkansas is miles ahead,” she says.

The secret to Kathleen Crain’s success is in her love for numbers. She holds a degree in accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. However, she found a passion for education when she was the Plant Accountant for Union Camp Corporation in the early 90s.

“The plant had adopted a new inventory program,” she recalls. “At that time, I realized I had a gift in addition to my accounting experience and education. And that gift was teaching adults computer software.”

In 1994, Kathleen came across an ad for a financial analyst for the Arkansas Public School Network (APSCN), and, along with her 10 years’ experience at a school district, she thought her love of accounting and teaching would make her a perfect fit for the position. Her goal? To become the most accomplished person within the APSCN FMS unit.

APSCN was established in 1992 by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (then the Arkansas Department of Education) for the purpose of implementing a statewide computer system linking all Arkansas public school systems and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) as required by Act 4 of 1992.

Kathleen’s hard work paid off. She was promoted to supervisor over the finance unit and moved to Little Rock to a staff of ten and was tasked with overseeing the completion of 322 district conversions to the APSCN eFinance1995 version.

Flash forward to the present, Kathleen now has 25 years with APSCN. “I now lead and supervise 20 staff members, and our workload continues to increase at the Department and school district finance offices, because of staff turnover and increasing changes in local, state, and federal reporting requirements.”

As Division Manager for APSCN Financial Applications, she collaborates with software sales representatives, programmers, and support staff, and other state agencies, such as the Arkansas Legislative Audit Division, Employee Benefits Division, Arkansas Teacher Retirement, and the Arkansas Association of School Business Officials.

If someone is considering going into a similar career, Kathleen is quick to point out to be ready for challenges and some stress.

“Every day is non-stop, so there is no such thing as ‘catching up,’” she admits. “Every day brings support calls from districts in dire circumstances needing assistance with analyzing and correcting accounting issues.”

Another secret to her success is to be generous with your knowledge. “Learn everything you can about the business and responsibilities and impart that wisdom gained to others.”

Her secret to happiness? “Helping others, because it leads to a happier, wealthier, more productive, more meaningful life,” she says.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

State reporting cycle timelines/deadlines and implementing changes.

How would your coworkers describe you?

They would describe me as one with a strong work ethic and professional integrity. There is “always work to be done.”

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you being doing?

Teaching accounting at some college or university.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

Leave Southern Arkansas and move to Little Rock for my current position with APSCN. That may seem small, but I stepped out on faith and work ethics with no guarantees. I have no regrets dedicating the last 25 years of my life to the Arkansas Department of Education. It has been a rewarding experience.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

Mother four wonderful children whom I am very proud. I began my personal professional career as our home became an “empty nest.” I am very proud of the work I have done with APSCN FMS. I treasure the long hours spent with three other coworkers and district financial personnel in getting this statewide project converted to a statewide financial system for all school districts in 1995.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off? Spending time with family, relaxing, and reading.

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

Spend more quality, relaxing time with my siblings, children, and grandchildren. I would like to journal my life in case there are things I have forgotten to pass on to my children. I think writing would be very cathartic and an opportunity to share life experiences with them in a way that they might experience the same emotions through giving them this experience.