Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 welcomed Jamie Hadjan as the district’s new Director of Finance effective for the 2021-22 school year.
Ms. Hadjan served as the Chief Financial Officer of Jacksonville (IL) School District 117 for the past seven years. She previously worked in Staunton (IL) Community Unit School District #6 for ten years.
Hadjan says, “My career started in banking, then auditing, and then trust services/investment management. Looking for a better work/family life balance, I took a position as an HR/Business Services Coordinator in my hometown of Staunton, where I had gone to school and where my kids were in school.”
“I thought it would be a temporary step out of the corporate world and that I would go back after my kids were a little older,” she adds, “But I loved working in the school! I learned many different aspects of school business, decided to further my education and completed my Masters Degree in School Business and have stayed in the Education field ever since.”
Hadjan grew up in Staunton, IL and went to Staunton Schools K-12. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University and completed a Masters at Northern Illinois University. She went on to earn the Chief School Business Official endorsement on her Administrative License.
She enjoys many aspects of her job, but confesses construction and renovation projects are her favorites. She will gain additional experience in those areas as CUSD 10 has slated many upcoming building projects, including plans to replace the existing Caseyville Elementary School.
“Construction/Renovations are exciting in all phases…initial discussions, financial decisions, design, getting started and the actual construction. But the best part is seeing the reactions of the students when they see their building for the first time,” said Hadjan.
Hadjan and her husband of 30 years live in Staunton. They have two children and three grandchildren.
“Spending time with my grandkids is my favorite thing to do outside of work. Two of my grandkids live in St Charles, Missouri with my daughter and her husband. Jackson is five and Lydi is one. My third grandchild lives in Olathe, Kansas with my son and his wife. Benjamin is ten-months-old.”
In addition, she and her husband began biking last summer during the pandemic. They recently completed 208 miles over five days on the Katy Trail. They stayed in historic hotels and bed and breakfasts along the way. She enjoyed the beautiful scenery and meeting so many people and hearing about their life experiences.
“I am also a beach bum,” she confides, “I love the waves and the sand. Destin, Florida is my happy place.”
Collinsville CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich said, “Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge to the district as it relates to all aspects of school finance and facility management. She hit the ground running on July 1st and has not looked back. We are excited to welcome her as a member of our Kahok family!”
Hadjan is familiar with the expectation of wearing purple on Fridays in CUSD 10. “From the day I was hired, I was told to start working on my wardrobe,” she says, “I have a few things, but some shopping may still be in order.”
“I am very thankful for this opportunity and look forward to being a part of Collinsville Unit 10.”