As business administrator/board secretary Marie Goodwin ends her two years in the Shamong school district, a newcomer is excited to take over the reins.
With more than 17 years of experience working in schools as well as two years experience as an assistant business administrator, Laura Archer will be the new Shamong Township Schools business administrator/board secretary starting July 1.
“I’m very excited to start this next step of my career and hope that I can fill the shoes of Marie Goodwin and do a great job for the district,” Archer said.
“Laura brings with her a wealth of knowledge from her years of experience as an assistant school business administrator at the Hopewell Valley School District. I anticipate a smooth transition of the position and look forward to working with Laura,” Superintendent Christine Vespe said.
Archer has a passion for her community and numbers. Wanting to be involved more with the community, Archer sought to work in her hometown for the Northern Burlington County Regional School District. With her love for numbers, working on the financial end seemed like a great fit.
“My first job was in the district where I went to high school. It was nice to be a part of that community and community of a school district. I’ve always been interested in numbers and always liked the financial end of it,” Archer said.
She worked hard to obtain a bachelor’s of arts degree in management from then Stockton College, now Stockton University, and a master’s of science degree in management with a focus in school business administration from then Thomas Edison State College, now Thomas Edison State University.
Working in schools since 1999, Archer held various positions in schools such as accounts payable manager, health benefits manager, accountant, controller and eventually assistant business administrator.
Archer comes from the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, where she has been assistant business administrator for two years. She has learned a lot from business administrator/board secretary Robert Colavita during her time at Hopewell Valley Regional School District and felt it was time for her to further her career.
“It was the next step for my career. I’m ready to take on more,” Archer said.
While looking at districts to apply to, Archer said her interview with Shamong felt very promising, almost like she was at home. When the district offered her the position, she was very happy and excited.
“When I interviewed with Superintendent Christine Vespe and Marie Goodwin, I got such a great feeling of welcome and that I would be able to learn and work well (at the district). I was very excited they offered me the position, and I will work very hard for them,” Archer said.
Archer feels that STS is the best size school district for her right now. Hopewell Valley Regional School District has 3,797 students, while Shamong has less than 900 students.
Her favorite part of working for a school district as assistant business administrator has been the ever-changing nature of the job. She said you’re working in various areas from facilities to transportation to payroll, keeping everything lively and interesting each day. Archer feels the hardest part as a business administrator/board secretary will be in the beginning, learning how the schools are run and what the schools need. However, she said she is more than willing to take on the task.
Archer believes her various experiences in the business office, working in every position and speaking to many members of the staff, will make her a great asset. She plans on relying on current workers for help in the beginning, but eventually running things herself and putting in her own input.
When Archer is not at work, she is a wife, mother and coach. Archer is married to her husband David and is a mother of two, Hunter, 15, and Haylei, 13. She and her family are lovers of all things outdoors, from biking to gardening. She is also a softball coach for the Jersey Outlaws Elite Travel Softball Team.
“I just feel that being outdoors is a calming experience, out in nature and enjoying the trees, sky and sun. I find it to be very calming,” Archer said.
Archer will begin her new job as business administrator/board secretary for Shamong July 1.
