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School Committee appoints Ostaszewski as school business administrator

Mandy Ostaszewski, finance and nutrition support specialist for the Harvard Public Schools, was promoted to school business administrator by unanimous vote of the School Committee at its meeting Monday, Dec. 2.

Mandy Ostaszewski. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

Ostaszewski began her career with the Harvard schools in 2016 as a kindergarten aide. She moved on to become a learning assistant and then administrative assistant at Hildreth Elementary School, where she worked for a number of years. In 2023, Ostaszewski moved into her role in the schools’ administration office as finance and nutrition support specialist. For much of the past year, Ostaszewski worked directly with The Management Solution, a school business consulting service hired temporarily to manage the schools finances after the departure of Ingrid Nilsson, former assistant superintendent of finance and operations for the schools.

Ostaszewski met weekly with the consulting service to assist with budgeting, year-to-date expenditures, grants, and capital projects. In the past few weeks, she earned her initial license in administration of school business, allowing her to apply for the position of school business administrator. In her new role, Ostaszewski will be responsible for the district’s $21 million budget, as well as capital project bidding and awarding, food service submissions, and grant management.

“Through [Mandy’s] practical knowledge, she picked up how the budget is developed, how grants are drawn down, and how our town and school finance accounting is done,” said Linda Dwight, superintendent of schools. “She’s really dedicated to the school system. In each position she’s had, no one wanted to lose her. HES was mad that we took her to the central office. Right now, she’s going to transition to a job where she keeps all of the responsibilities she’s been managing, and expands them. We’re happy to keep her and to promote her.”

In addition to her leadership role in the school administration office, Ostaszewski also volunteers on the Celebration committee, the organization responsible for the after-prom party for Bromfield juniors and seniors in May. She has two Bromfield graduates, classes of 2023 and 2024, and one who is currently in grade 10. When not in the school administration office, Ostaszewski can be found walking around town and visiting the Harvard Public Library where she fuels her love of reading.

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