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Carver district picks new finance chief

The Eastern Carver County School District has hired Bloomington schools' finance director to take the reins at a challenging time.

By AIMÉE BLANCHETTE, Star Tribune

Last update: June 9, 2009 - 11:56 PM

The Eastern Carver County (Chaska) School District has named a new finance and operations director. Rod Zivkovich will join the district July 1, coming from Bloomington's schools, where he's been the executive director of finance and support services.

"The job is appealing because it's closer to home and my family and community," said Zivkovich, an 11-year resident of Chanhassen with two children in district schools.

Zivkovich will join the district following a school year laden with financial troubles, including a costly payroll error discovered in November. A computer system had been incorrectly calculating the amount of FICA taxes to withdraw from employee paychecks, leaving the district owing the IRS $2.1 million in back taxes. Over time, the district's employees are paying back half of that amount -- the employees' share of FICA.

The payroll blemish didn't factor into Zivkovich's decision to accept the job. "It can happen anywhere," he said.

"You just have to make sure that when you do find those things out, you're upfront about it and you come up with a solution as soon as you can," he said.

Zivkovich is taking over the reins held by Steve Pumper for eight years. Pumper is leaving June 30 for a consulting position with PMA, a public finance specialist company. He said the FICA tax mistake had nothing to do with his decision to leave.

Zivkovich is arriving at a particularly busy time in the district's history. It faces a $5 million budget deficit next school year, is preparing to open a new high school this coming fall, and plans to implement a $2.1 million redesigned curriculum in conjunction with the high school opening.

Working in a district that's opening new schools amid tough financial times will be a challenge, Zivkovich said. But schools faced with declining enrollments also have challenges, and that's one problem the Eastern Carver County district does not have.

Superintendent David Jennings believes Zivkovich can get the job done.

"Rod's knowledge of school finance and his experience in a school district of similar size made him an outstanding choice for Eastern Carver County Schools," Jennings said in a news release. "As a resident of Chanhassen and the father of two of our students, he brings built-in understanding of the issues here in District 112."

Zivkovich held similar positions in the New Prague and Eden Prairie school districts before going to work in Bloomington. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a master's in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

Aimée Blanchette • 612-673-1715

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