Bieniek Honored As West Virginia’s Top School Accountant
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WHEELING - Ohio County Schools business officer and treasurer Steven Bieniek says "he's a man of math," and not so much one of words.
His skills, nevertheless, speak for him. The West Virginia Association of School Business Officials last week named him their inaugural "West Virginia School Business Official Of The Year."
Bieniek has worked for Ohio County Schools for 15 years, and every year the State Department of Education requires an independent audit of the finances of each school district in the state. The independent accountants list findings of any "accounting irresponsibilities" they discover that run against accounting policies, and typically these are minor and can be easily fixed.
Audits of Bieniek's work over the last 15 years, meanwhile, have warranted few to no findings against him.
"I couldn't do it without such a great team," he said. "And it's not just my financial staff. It's everybody else in the central office and the board of education.
"(Superintendent Kim) Miller and Assistant Superintendent Rick Jones create an atmosphere that makes it easy to do the job."
Bieniek has a staff of four working with him in the school district's finance department. Amber George is the payroll director; Paula Gilbert, accounts payable director; Jeanne Wolfe, benefits coordinator; and Kristi Crawford, a professional accountant.
"I think the world of them," Bieniek said. "Not only are they very good for Ohio County, they also help lead the state. When other counties need help, they raise their hands to help out."
Ohio County Board of Education President David Croft is both an attorney and an accountant, and he frequently has questions for Bieniek when looking over bills to be paid during board meetings.
"Sharing the designation of CPA (certified public accountant) with him, I can say we are fortunate he is in that position," Croft said. "I have taken great comfort that we have been able to focus on providing what we need to do for students and education knowing that the financial information provided by Mr. Bieniek has been clear and correct.
"Each time there has been an internal audit, it comes back clean with no qualifiers."
After learning of Bieniek's honor, Croft texted him a congratulatory message: "You've earned it."
"He is at the top of the class as far as CPAs go," Croft said of Bieniek. "He has led Ohio County Schools in a responsible and conservative financial manner, and he has made it possible for us to be good stewards with the public's money."
Miller also was quick to praise Bieniek.
"I'm so proud of him. He is a hard worker and is very deserving," she said. "He is very deliberate, and thinks globally with attention to detail. He communicates very well.
"I start everyday with a conversation with Steven about bills and if there are any red flags. We are so fortunate to be able to talk on finances, education and how they impact education every day. He is a great guy."
Susan Nolte, human resources director for Ohio County Schools, noted Bieniek's importance to the school district.
"He is conservative, and works well with everybody," she said. "We don't make a move without Steve's o.k."
Bieniek's wife Michele is a teacher at John Marshall High School. Their son Andrew is a fifth-grade student at Woodsdale Elementary School.
Bieniek noted there are "great" school treasurers all throughout West Virginia.
"I didn't want to make a big deal about it. I feel humble about it. There are others equally deserving of an award," he said. "But not all school districts work well together. We don't know how well we have it in Ohio County.
"We are led from the top down in such a way that we're excited to do jobs, and we want to do the best for Ohio County students. It is not an easy job, but it is made easier with the wonderful people we have in the central office."