MADISON – Jana Gray’s study and experience has led her to understand the demands of a school system’s budgets, forecasts, federal funding and payroll. She has been promoted to Chief School Finance Officer for Madison City Schools.

“I feel so blessed to be a part of a school district that continuously receives great accolades, despite the fiscal challenges we are facing with being a growing school district,” Gray said.

“We have a great, hard-working board and an incredible competent staff, which is what makes me so honored to be a part of this school district,” she said.

At her appointment, Superintendent Robby Parker and Madison Board of Education members complimented Gray and noted her history of working as acting CSFO when her manager pursued military deployments for long periods.

“You’ve stepped in and given us a great sense of consistency and stability,” board president Ranae Bartlett said about Gray. “When stepping in, we never missed a beat. There was no learning curve,” board member Connie Spears said.

Gray received an associate’s degree in computer information systems from Northwest Shoals Community College in 2005 and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Athens State University. Immediately, she started to work with Alabama State Department of Examiners of Public Accounts in conducting audits on taxpayer organizations, such as county commissions, boards of education and license commissioners.

In 2009, she accepted the position of Accounting Supervisor for MCS. She was responsible for confirming daily finance activities, such as purchasing, budgets and payrolls. She confirmed that those daily procedures were completed in accordance to accounting rules and state laws.

“During my time as an accounting supervisor, I served a total of two years as MCS Interim Chief School Finance Officer, during the military leave of my predecessor,” Gray said. “The finance team I have is incredible, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their continued dedication throughout the ever-changing work environment we are in.”

“My husband and I have been married seven years, no children, but one fur baby,” Gray said. “We enjoy spending time with family, traveling and spending our free time on the lake.”