School District Hires New Director of Administration & Finance

Kirsteen Patterson of Shrewsbury was named the new Director of Administration and Finance for the Medford Public Schools. Ms. Patterson will replace Patricia Viele, who has been serving in that role for over two years. Ms. Viele resigned as her husband’s job was relocated to Michigan.

“Pat has done an excellent job here. Between her expertise and sunny personality, she will be missed. We wish her well in all her future endeavors,” said Superintendent Roy Belson

With over (20) years of experience in school finance, Ms. Patterson has dealt with project management, budget development, program forecasting, operational efficiencies, and federal and state grant compliance. She has a proven record of successful fiscal control of budgets exceeding $20 million and covering (30) subsidiary funds. Since 2009, Ms. Patterson has been the Director of Finance and Business Operations for the South Middlesex Vocational Technical Regional School District, where she has handled an operating budget of $17.5 million, along with $1 million in grants and $1 million in revolving accounts. She has experience in working with the Massachusetts School Building Administration, collective bargaining, procurement and updating the financial software for the district.

Ms. Patterson received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and her Master Degree in Business Administration, both from Nichols College. Her credentials include: MAVA Leadership II Academy-Superintendent Licensure, Massachusetts Department, State Panel Review-School Business Official Licensure, and the Office of Inspector General-Procurement Overview, MCPPO. In addition, Ms. Patterson served as a Materials/Repair Adjuster on the USS Hunley, AS-31, a United States Naval Submarine tender, where she supported both electrical and interior communication divisions. She was a recipient of the Sailor of the Quarter Award, along with commendations for her engineering audit for Hurricane Andrew Relief Operations.

“We are pleased that Ms. Patterson will be joining the Medford Public Schools. Her educational background, coupled with her extensive experience in all phases of school budgeting and personnel makes her a great fit for our school system,” said Superintendent Roy Belson.

“I sincerely thank Mayor Burke, the School Committee and Superintendent Belson for an affirmative vote of my candidacy in this important role. It is a real honor to serve a community with such an extensive history of culture, traditions and values such as Medford. I look forward to a productive year and working with a dedicated team focused on student achievements and community involvement. Go Mustangs,” said Ms. Patterson.

– Submitted on behalf of the Medford Public Schools