BERNE — David Weiser, Berne-Knox-Westerlo’s newly-appointed business administrator, has landed on solid ground.
"My goal has been to work at a small school," Weiser told The Enterprise this week.

At BKW, Weiser will be able to leverage his skills and experience, he said.

Currently working as interim director of Civil Service for Albany County, Weiser was previously the business administrator for two other school districts — Hoosic Valley in Schaghticoke (Rensselaer County) and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk in Ravena.

After working at the schools, Weiser and his family, to be near his wife’s family, relocated to Florida, where they lived for a little less than a year. Weiser and his family returned to upstate New York, where he has lived since studying as an undergraduate at UAlbany. Since returning, he said, he looked for a smaller school where he could have more involvement with a community.
"Working with a smaller school appeals to me because I’ll be able to interact with the students, the staff, and the community," he said.

Weiser was hired Oct. 30 by the board of education. He replaces Gregory Diefenbach, who left BKW in September.
"His experience as a business administrator at two other schools gave him the opportunity to gain experience on a wide variety of issues," said Superintendent Steven Schrade.

Asked what he found attractive about BKW, Weiser said that the school has good momentum, having had success with its budgets lately, and that he also thought the district’s recent history of strong fiscal management attractive.
He called the district’s proximity to his Guilderland home, where he lives with his wife and daughter, an "extra bonus." Weiser added that he has heard positive things about the staff, the students, and the community.
"We asked him where he wanted to be in five years, and he indicated to us that he wanted to be here five years from now, and even 10 years from now," Schrade told The Enterprise this week. "I and members of the business office will bring him up to date and familiarize him with operations and issues," Schrade said.
"[Weiser and I] will confer each day regarding the school finances — the operations and maintenance, which is the buildings and grounds; the transportation department; and the school lunch program," Schrade said.
Weiser explained how he will prepare the school’s budget. In creating it, he said, "You have to underestimate your revenues, and overestimate your expenditures, and you consider all that you might need."

When estimating state aid, he said, he will take a conservative approach.
"The key," Weiser said, "is looking at the whole picture — looking at all the facts and events, and then asking, ‘What does this mean for us"’"

Weiser will earn $90,000 and begin Dec. 1.