Observers of Pasco County School Board meetings know her as the woman who breaks down the complex language of school finance into easy-to-understand English.
Her budget updates explained how much money the school district had available to spend in various categories — because when it comes to spending state and federal funding, there are often strings attached.
She also kept the board informed on how the district’s investments were faring, and how much interest the school system would have to pay on financing school construction projects, or buses, or other big-ticket items.
When it came to finances in Pasco County Schools, Olga Swinson has been the voice of authority, as the district’s chief finance officer since 2006.
Her work in the school finance arena dates back to 1990, when she joined the district as an internal auditor. Next, she worked as superintendent of finance, then as director of finance, before assuming the role she will retire from on April 29.
Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino, and finally, Kurt Browning.
Browning joined the district’s leadership staff and Pasco County School Board members during the board’s April 19 meeting in honoring Swinson’s service, expressing their gratitude for her financial leadership and congratulating her on her retirement.
Browning kicked things off, with a good-natured tone, by sharing an encounter he’d had with Swinson earlier in the day.
“She sent the board and leadership an email that was thanking us for giving her the opportunity to serve as chief finance officer, among other positions,” Browning explained.
When he saw Swinson, he told her: “I was just a little surprised at the tone of that email because it certainly didn’t sound like Olga. It was tender. It was caring,” he said, eliciting laugher from the room. “It was empathetic, sincerely grateful, for the experience she’s had in the Pasco district.
“As she’s looking at me, she’s wagging a finger. She says: ‘Don’t say a word tonight.’
“I looked at her and said, ‘I won’t say a word tonight.’
“And, as she walked off, I said, ‘I will say multiple words tonight.’”
Then Browning began describing Swinson’s many attributes.
“I count Olga Swinson, as being, in large part, the glue (in the district),” Browning said, noting the district’s success depends largely on its financial integrity and stability.
“There has never been a moment, not a single moment, in the 10 years that I’ve been superintendent, that I have ever had any doubts, any concerns, any questions, about our financial standing in this district.
“I will tell you, that speaks volumes,” Browning said.
Over the years, because of her tough budgeting skills and her ability to say, ‘No,’ Swinson developed the nickname ‘Nolga,” Browning said.
Deputy Ray Gadd continued on that theme.
“We give her a lot of grief, calling her NOlga, for ‘No,’ all of the time,” Gadd said.
But the truth is that because of her financial management skills, the district has been able to do far more than it would have without her, he said.
“She doesn’t get a lot of credit for how it (her work) benefits children — but her managing of finances in this district has greatly benefited the lives of children.
“It’s made us effective at what we do. And, when you compare our financial statements to some surrounding counties and other places throughout the state, we’re hard to beat,” Gadd said.
Her acumen is known in school finance circles
School board member Allen Altman said Swinson is known for the accuracy of her numbers, and that she has helped steer the district through financially turbulent times.
“Olga and I, I feel like, have some of the same battle scars,” said Altman, who has served on the board for 15 ½ years.
“We went through the Recession and laid off several hundred employees. And, we’ve been through the battles with the State,” Altman said.
When board members have to make difficult decisions, it’s important to know there’s “integrity behind the numbers,” Altman said.
Swinson’s “financial stewardship has saved this district millions of dollars of money that has been spent on children and employees, that wouldn’t have been, otherwise,” Altman said.
“I give her credit for that and thank her, for that,” he said.
Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong agreed with Altman regarding the importance of having numbers the board could rely on.
“Our job is so much easier because we could trust, exactly, the numbers that you gave us — so we know we were making the best decisions possible,” Armstrong told Swinson.
Board member Alison Crumbley said Swinson’s financial leadership has been unwavering.
“Mrs. Armstrong and I started (on the board) during the Recession. The first task was to make $55 million of cuts. Olga led the way. It was excruciating.
“We got through it, and all of the while, maintained a AAA Moody Bond Rating, somehow, through all of this, which has saved our district millions of dollars,” Crumbley said.
She also pointed out that when she was attending state school board training sessions people have frequently told her: “Oh, you have Olga Swinson. We’ve heard about her. You’re so lucky.”
Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, agreed that Swinson’s reputation for excellence is known throughout the state.
Kuhn said she’s had the opportunity to be part of the Florida Institute of School Finance, where she’s seen Swinson in action.
“It confirmed to me what I already know — Olga is a rock star in the world of school finance,’” Kuhn said.
Besides hearing words of praise, Swinson received a huge bouquet of roses and a standing ovation.
Her response was simple.
“I will miss all of you, and it’s been a rewarding career,” Swinson said.
Olga Swinson
Olga Swinson ends her 32-year career with Pasco County Schools on April 29.
Here’s a snapshot of her roles in the district:
- Chief Finance Officer, 2006 to 2022
- Director of Finance: 1997 to 2006
- Superintendent of Finance: 1993 to 1997
- Internal Auditor: 1990 to 1993
Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino and Kurt Browning.
Published April 27, 2022
