OSHKOSH – The district has found a successor for Drew Niehans.
Oshkosh Area School District is staying within the state for its next executive director of business services, naming Cynthia Rettler, Plainfield Tri-County Area School District business manager, to replace the retiring Niehans.
OASD made the announcement in a news release after approving Rettler’s appointment at the March 11 Board of Education meeting.
“I am honored to join the Oshkosh Area School District and look forward to contributing to the success of the district,” Rettler said in the release.
“With a focus on fiscal accountability and strategic financial management, I am committed to ensuring our resources effectively support our students, educators and community,” Rettler added.
What is the role of the district’s director of business services?
Rettler’s hiring comes six months after Niehans announced plans to retire in June and end his five-year stint as the person in charge of overseeing budget development, forecasting long-term budget needs and managing district insurance, payroll and employee benefits.
Drew Niehans’ impact on OASD facilities planning
But Niehans’ biggest impact was made with the district’s four-phase facilities plan, where he proved instrumental in helping community members understand the numbers behind OASD’s goal of consolidating district schools.
His retirement means Rettler will now be involved with Phase 3 of the plan, slated for 2029-2033, which will see the construction of a new Oshkosh West High School.
Phase 4 is centered on making improvements to Oshkosh North High School.
Cynthia Rettler’s background and qualifications
The current bookkeeper and business manager for the Tri-County Area School District, Rettler manages the full cycle of school business operations, including payroll, accounting, budgeting and financial reporting.
According to the release, she is completing her master’s degree in school business management and Wisconsin DPI 08 License this May.
“Her technical expertise and demonstrated ability to navigate complex financial processes make her the right choice to lead our business office,” wrote OASD Superintendent Bryan Davis of Rettler. “Her collaborative approach will strengthen our business operations and support our district moving forward.”
When Rettler will start in the new role
Rettler is slated to start in the new role July 1.
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com and follow him on X at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh schools name Cynthia Rettler as new business services leader
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
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