Ridgefield School District is pleased to welcome Kathryn (Kathy) Funk-Baxter as its new Executive Director of Business Services, bringing decades of experience in public-sector finance, higher education administration, and organizational leadership to the district.
Funk-Baxter most recently served as Finance Director for Cowlitz County. Prior to that role, she accumulated more than 29 years of experience in higher education administration, including serving as Vice President for Business Affairs at three universities.
Throughout her career, Funk-Baxter has overseen a wide range of organizational functions, including budgeting, financial planning and reporting, purchasing, contracts, risk management, public safety, facilities, real estate, and human resources.
“I am proud to have this opportunity to serve the students, employees, and families of the Ridgefield School District and look forward to sharing my passion for supporting education and services,” Funk-Baxter said.
Superintendent Dr. Jenny Rodriquez said Funk-Baxter’s extensive financial and administrative experience will be an asset as the district continues to responsibly manage its resources while supporting the needs of students and staff in a growing district.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kathy to the Ridgefield School District,” Rodriquez said. “Our district has a long and proud history of being a responsible steward of public funding, and maintaining that trust with our community is incredibly important to us. Kathy brings an impressive depth of experience in financial leadership and public service, and importantly, she demonstrates our core values of integrity, kindness, and collaboration. I am confident that her expertise will help us continue making thoughtful, responsible decisions that put our students at the center of our work.”
Funk-Baxter and her husband, Steve Baxter, now call the Pacific Northwest home. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren who attend Ridgefield schools. She is an active volunteer, and received the Distinguished University Business Officer award and a Corpus Christi YWCA Y Women in Careers honoree. Funk-Baxter earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
“We are excited for Kathy to bring not only her extensive professional experience, but also her connection to our community to this important leadership role,” Rodriquez said. “We are very fortunate to have her joining our team.”