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Hernando Today

School District Taps New Finance Director

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: February 26, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - The Hernando school district has a new chief financial officer.

Desiree Henegar, an assistant budget director for Sarasota County schools, has been tapped to serve as the district's chief financial officer.

Henegar, 43, starts March 9 at a salary of $78,676.

That's higher than the initial salary range of $66,572 to $75,650 that had attracted a field of 10 candidates. The school board had increased that pay range in case the district needed to re-advertise the position to get top-notch applicants.

Henegar had already applied, but she's worth the extra money, said Heather Martin, director of business services.

With more than 17 years of finance experience, including nearly a decade working for two school districts, Henegar was clearly the best fit of the six remaining candidates, Martin said.

"I think she's going to come in and impress a lot of people," Martin said.

Henegar will be taking a sizeable pay cut to come here. She currently earns $88,000.

But she said the top finance spot in a school district is the next natural step for her career.

"This is the opportunity I've been looking for," she said. "This is everything I've worked for."

Henegar started in Sarasota in 2007. Before that, she spent 12 years with the Manatee County school district, first as an internal auditor and then as finance manager.

She has a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's in accountancy, both from the University of West Florida.

Henegar said she took the job knowing full well the budget challenges the Hernando school district faces. The district is grappling with ways to cut this year's budget by at least $25 million, a figure that could grow.

"It's not going to be easy," said Henegar, who pointed out the really tough decisions are made by the school board. "I just need to make sure to give them all the options."

Henegar said her department recently presented the Sarasota school board with a $40 million cut, or about 9 percent of its operating revenue.

Martin described Henegar as "very personable" and articulate enough to communicate the district finances in plain terms for the school board.

"I think she'll be able to build a good rapport with the board, and that's important for that position," Martin said.

Superintendent Wayne Alexander agreed.

"I think she brings a wealth of knowledge, and I'm confident she'll hit the road running," Alexander said.

Henegar is single and has no children. She owns a home in Bradenton and said she will keep that house until the market improves. She plans to rent in Hernando for the time being, and she acknowledges that maintaining two households will be a challenge.

"For the opportunity, I'm willing to make the sacrifice," Henegar said.

As far as the school district is concerned, March 9 can't come soon enough, Martin said.

"It's a bad time to be a CFO, and it's a really bad time to be without a CFO," she said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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