by Rebecca Lloyd

Mrs. Jennifer Brewer is the treasurer for Southeast Alamance.  Her position as treasurer means she is a professional district administrator that manages the school’s budget. Her responsibilities bring about plenty of pressure and stress, but Mrs. Brewer pushes past and continues crunching the numbers for Southeast.

To bring more light onto the roles of treasurers in school systems, The Daily Trot interviewed Mrs. Brewer to provide a deeper understanding of what it means to go beyond just crunching numbers.

What is the main role of the school treasurer?

As the school treasurer, I am responsible for managing and safeguarding our school’s financial resources. My daily work involves overseeing incoming revenue, approving club and departmental expenses, tracking budget allocations, and ensuring that every dollar spent aligns with our educational priorities and school policies. 

Beyond managing the numbers, I work closely with administrators, staff, student organization advisors, and club leaders to ensure our extracurricular programs and school initiatives have the financial backing they need to succeed. I also prepare security payments for events. I handle coordinating substitutes for absences as well as process any supply request from staff, prepare cash boxes for athletic games, and fulfill everyday requests from the Southeast staff. 

Additionally, I assist as backup for the front desk receptionist and oversee the key distributions for the building as well as other tasks not mentioned that are also part of the school treasurer position.

What's the hardest part about being a treasurer?

The most challenging part of the job is having to say "no". Staff naturally come with incredible enthusiasm for new projects, trips, and events. However, because we have to stay within a certain budget and mandated policies. I sometimes have to make tough calls or ask groups to adjust their plans to stay within budget or guidelines, which requires balancing financial discipline with empathy. Another challenging aspect is managing time when multiple staff members or departments need immediate assistance all at once as well as staying up to date with the constantly changing policy and financial guidelines required for the position.

What made you choose to be a treasurer?

Prior to becoming the school treasurer at Southeast I was the Data Manager. When the former treasurer left, I applied for the position. This role allows me to combine my passion for organization and problem-solving with a desire to make a direct, tangible impact on the daily lives of students and staff.

How do you approach or manage building our school's budget?

Mr. [Eric]Yarbrough takes the lead on constructing the budget, but we collaborate closely throughout the process. Together, we evaluate incoming requests and monitor spending to ensure that our funds are used efficiently and in a way that benefits the entire school community. Building a budget requires balancing immediate operational needs with long-term goals. The key is prioritization: distinguishing essential operating costs from extra requests and allocating remaining funds where they will benefit the largest number of students.

What could students learn from being a treasurer?

Serving as a student treasurer teaches essential real-world skills that go far beyond basic math:

• Financial Literacy: You learn budgeting, cash flow management, and how to read financial statements.

• Accountability & Ethics: Handling money instills a deep sense of responsibility and attention to detail.

• Communication & Negotiation: You frequently have to explain financial constraints to peers and work together to find creative solutions within budget limits.

• Time Management: . It teaches you how to be flexible, adjust priorities on the fly, and manage your time effectively when urgent needs arise.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed or stressed? If so, how do you manage it? 

Yes, absolutely. Especially during the beginning of the school year or when there are lots of activities going on all at once through the school needing financial support or end-of-year auditing. The role comes with tight deadlines and a broad range of responsibilities, which can certainly feel overwhelming at times. I manage that stress by staying organized and constantly prioritizing my tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring critical needs are met first.