2008 Woodie Awards
Robinson names Benzel for finance position
Peter Smelser, Editor-in-chief
Issue date: 2/20/07
Last Updated: 8/9/07
In the midst of major financial projects, including construction of three new facilities for the arts and sciences and growing the endowment, Whitworth chose Brian Benzel, superintendent of Spokane Public Schools, as the new vice president of finance and administration.
Benzel's announcement to leave the district comes at a time when Spokane Public Schools (SPS) could be faced with a $10.5 million budget deficit next year.
That deficit would be a funding gap between what the state of Washington asks the schools to do and what they will actually fund, said Terren Roloff, director of community relations for SPS.
For instance, the state requires six class periods for high schools, but would only fund five in the coming year, Roloff said.
Before Benzel leaves the school district this summer, he will lobby state legislators to follow the state's paramount duty.
The Washington State Constitution says "it is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders …"
In 2003, Benzel recommended $9 million in budget cuts and may have to recommend cuts again.
"We are very fortunate to have him looking out for us," Roloff said. "He's the kind of leader that makes the community understand."
Before coming to the Spokane school district, Benzel most recently served as chief operating officer for Seattle Public Schools. He also spent 11 years in the Mead School District (1978-1988) as the business manager and superintendent.
"Anyone who knows Brian and knows Whitworth will recognize this is a great fit," said President Bill Robinson in a college press release.
Shortly after graduating from Washington State University, Benzel began working in Olympia, Wash. for the state. He was an education policy analyst for the Legislature and a supervisor for the state's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
"I've worked with billion dollar budgets," Benzel said. "I think that the most impactful [budget] work is here in Spokane."
Benzel's announcement to leave the district comes at a time when Spokane Public Schools (SPS) could be faced with a $10.5 million budget deficit next year.
That deficit would be a funding gap between what the state of Washington asks the schools to do and what they will actually fund, said Terren Roloff, director of community relations for SPS.
For instance, the state requires six class periods for high schools, but would only fund five in the coming year, Roloff said.
Before Benzel leaves the school district this summer, he will lobby state legislators to follow the state's paramount duty.
The Washington State Constitution says "it is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders …"
In 2003, Benzel recommended $9 million in budget cuts and may have to recommend cuts again.
"We are very fortunate to have him looking out for us," Roloff said. "He's the kind of leader that makes the community understand."
Before coming to the Spokane school district, Benzel most recently served as chief operating officer for Seattle Public Schools. He also spent 11 years in the Mead School District (1978-1988) as the business manager and superintendent.
"Anyone who knows Brian and knows Whitworth will recognize this is a great fit," said President Bill Robinson in a college press release.
Shortly after graduating from Washington State University, Benzel began working in Olympia, Wash. for the state. He was an education policy analyst for the Legislature and a supervisor for the state's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
"I've worked with billion dollar budgets," Benzel said. "I think that the most impactful [budget] work is here in Spokane."
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