Open House to wish her well is Wed. January 30 from 3:30-5 pm

Brenda Wade Schmidt
Enterprise

Lisa Sanderson knew what she wanted to do when she was still in high school.
This month she retires from that dream job.
“I remember walking by (the office) in high school and thinking, ‘I want Gladys English’s job.’ She had been here 34 years before she retired,” said Sanderson, who after working for about nine years in other jobs after high school was hired as the Flandreau School District’s business manager.
With 29½ years in the position, Sanderson’s last day is Jan. 31. The school district will host an open house for the public from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Elementary commons.

As business manager, Sanderson has been the financial officer for the school, working with the superintendent, school board and staff to plan budgets each year. She’s worked through making the changes from a paper ledger book to a computerized accounting system and has learned the complexities and nuances of school funding changes that require keeping up with rules on what can and can’t be done as a government entity that is accountable and transparent to the public.
While the changes in school funding rules at the state level have been the most uncertain and difficult part of the job, Sanderson has like it all. She attributes that to her love of numbers, where everything is black and white, and her passion for working in a job that benefits children.
“I just have always liked numbers. I’ve always wanted to be around kids and the school setting, but I’m not a teacher. I’m not a public speaker. I like to be in the background and do the work,” she said.
Sanderson, 57, grew up Lisa Larson on a farm south of Flandreau and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1979. She graduated from the accounting program at Nettleton College and worked five years as the business manager at the Verdi, (Minn.) school and four years as the office manager at Cenex in Flandreau before taking her current job in June 1989.
She and her husband, Todd, have three children: Kyle, Scott and Amy.
When she retires, she plans to help with field work and other jobs on their farm near Ward. “I want another chapter,” she said. “I grew up a farm girl. I would like the opportunity to help him out.”
But she has a few rules, too. “I will not drive a semi.”
The Sandersons also like to travel and venture out on their brown, three-wheel Spyder motorcycle. “We like to just go for rides. There’s a lot of neat place to see in the area,” she said.
She plans to continue to come to school for activities that involve their nieces and nephews and their friends’ children and grandchildren.
Sanderson announced her retirement a year ago so that the district could plan for her replacement. In November, Stacey VanBeek, and accountant and former teacher from Brookings, started working with Sanderson to transition for two months into the job.
“I’m very thankful the board decided to go that round. It’s beneficial to the school. She’s doing a great job,” Sanderson said.
As school funding has gotten tighter and more complicated, she has worked with the superintendent, staff and school board members to budget according to what money the district receives.
“I’ve always taken a conservative approach,” she said. “That’s what I am.”
Superintendent Rick Weber said Sanderson has been good at anticipating changes in school funding and accounting.
“Her experience over 30 years is a big benefit to me, as well as staff and school board and the community,” Weber said. “She’s been here long enough to see about everything.”
Sanderson started as business manager shortly before Weber was hired as a teacher in Flandreau.
“Her calm demeanor is also an asset as she keeps a cool head at all times,” he said. “It’s just been a joy and pleasure to work with her the past 15 years as Superintendent and 29 years as a staff member.”