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Every school district usually has a number of employees that are best known by their length of service or their noted accomplishments. It could be a teacher who has been with the district 30 years or a coach who has led their team to the state tournament.

There are people in each district, that do their work, and do it very well. But they fly under the radar when it comes to recognition. Just as a secretary sometimes is known as the glue that holds the school together, at the district level our super glue is Heide Miller. She is the Chisago Lakes Area Schools Director of Business Services.

Heide has been a business manager for 29 years, and she's been employed by our district since 1994. Heide's day could start at 3:30 a.m. and end after midnight. She works very hard to ensure the Chisago Lakes district meets its financial obligations and follows the budget set by the school board. This is no easy task, especially during these times when our national economy is facing many challenges.

When you talk to Heide, you can see that her decisions are based upon what's best for kids. She tries to find a balance that is fair to all schools within our district.

Heide wears many hats besides being the business manager. She oversees buses, food service, buildings and grounds, and negotiations, both certified and non-certified. She is the district's human resource person, Transportation Director, Title-I LEA coordinator and homeless liaison. Her typical work day is never just eight or even 10 hours.

In 1998, Heide was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer. Even though she had chemotherapy and radiation she rarely missed any days of work. She was able to beat this disease with a determination that is reflected in how she handles the many decisions that are made as our business manager.

Heide has been recognized by her peers as one of the state's best school business managers. I did not find that out from her but was informed about this by a Superintendent from another district.

One of her favorite tasks is to be at Kindergarten Round-Up at both Taylors Falls and Primary. She said this is when it all begins and these are the students where you can make the biggest difference. "This is a good reminder of why we do what we do," she says.

Heide has been married for 30 years to her husband Dean. She also has a chocolate lab named "Lady" which helps her relax when she is at home. She enjoys golf, hunting, and watching the Gophers play basketball; rarely does she miss a game.

Earlier I stated her day may begin at 3:30 a.m. Heide is one of the people in our district who checks the roads and who helps to determine if school, during inclement weather, will be called off.

The next time you drive by the district office at night and see one lone vehicle in the parking lot, it's a good bet that a very dedicated lady is working to keep the district's finances in order.

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