School Business Administrator Settles into New Role

Schoharie CSD’s new School Business Administrator has officially assumed his duties. 

David Baroody was appointed as School Business Administrator on Oct. 21. His first day in the office was Oct. 22. He takes over from Robert Bonaker, who was filling that role on an interim basis. 

Baroody was most recently at Capital Region BOCES, where he helped oversee HR Services. Prior to that, Baroody served as the assistant superintendent for business at Plattsburgh City School District. 

“The district has a great reputation, and I’ve found the people I’ve met to be very friendly and welcoming, and I am very impressed with how invested the staff is,” Baroody said from his office after his first full week on the job.

The position at Schoharie CSD is one that is a great fit for both him and his family, according to Baroody.

“We’ve been looking to move to the Albany area for some time and this provided a great opportunity, both personally and professionally,” he said. 

Schoharie Superintendent David Blanchard said Baroody’s selection for the position was made to help deliver stability and leadership at a time of national uncertainty.  

Even with an influx of federal COVID relief funds, there remain many challenges. On the purchasing side, these include increased costs for many goods and services, as well as product availability. On the HR side, school districts are dealing with labor shortages.  

“It’s uncertain times we are living in now. Financially speaking, we always have to be cognizant of school finances and the budget. It’s a team approach in terms of making sure we are making decisions that are student centered, while also being financially responsible to taxpayers of this community,“ Baroody said. 

Blanchard said Bonaker, who came out of retirement on an interim basis, was a great steward of the district’s finances during a difficult time.

“We sincerely thank Mr. Bonaker for helping the district get to a better place while we conducted the search for a permanent, full-time school business administrator,” Blanchard said.