School Business Insider: Career Transitions in School Business – Insights from Rubie Harris

Host: John Brucato
Guest: Rubie Harris, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Management Services, Huntington Union Free School District (NY)
Date: October 21, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on the personal and professional journey of Rubie Harris, who made a significant cross-state career move within New York’s education sector—from Niagara Falls to Long Island. Host John Brucato, a close friend and fellow school business official, explores Rubie’s path, the motivations behind her big transition, the leadership lessons she’s learned, and her reflections on work-life balance in a demanding field. The conversation combines candor, humor, and practical advice for current and aspiring school business professionals contemplating major career shifts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rubie’s Non-linear Path to School Business

• Origin Story: Rubie stumbled into school business after earning an accounting degree, landing her first job as a junior accountant at age 22 in Niagara Falls.
• Pivotal Guidance: Early mentorship drove her to complete the SDBL (School District Business Leader) program, which fast-tracked her into a business official role within six months.
  “I never even knew business officials existed, as most don't... I finished the SDBL program, and within six months, I was sitting in a business official role.” [02:16]

Motivation to Stay in School Business

• Impact Behind the Scenes: The draw was the ability to influence educational offerings for kids without being in the classroom:
  “Children are beautiful. I don't want to be in a room… This was my opportunity to really be involved, be the voice and change agent…” [03:40]
• Balance & Influence: Rubie appreciates the influence of the business official position—enough power to make changes, but not the front-and-center pressure of superintendent.

Defining Career Moments

• Relationships as Cornerstones: Instead of one-off achievements, Rubie highlights the relationships built across various districts as key to her growth and resilience.
  “Defining moments... have really been the relationships I've built... the pieces that have helped carry me right. In those moments where I think I'm absolutely insane for some of the decisions I've made.” [05:28]

The Big Transition: Moving from Western NY to Long Island

• Cultural & Logistical Shifts: Rubie details the daunting leap—from moving her entire life solo, to adjusting to regional differences in commute, community, and even real estate.
• Timing and Mindset: She delayed her move during COVID, ultimately allowing “the right time” to nudge her forward:
  “I needed a change... Our jobs are taxing... Let's try a new space.” [07:30]
• Keeping Plans Quiet: Rubie kept her search private to avoid negative projections from friends and family:
  “When people hear of the possibility... people tend to coddle you. They project that concern and that worry, and then it festers.” [09:32]

Challenges of Relocation

• Emotionally Charged Farewells: Telling her parents was particularly hard:
  “I'm their only kid and I'm picking my life up and I'm moving… That was tough.” [12:34]
• Unpredictable Housing & Geography: Learning regional quirks on the fly, questionable apartment hunting (“just looking at a map”), and high costs.
• Workplace Support: Supportive new colleagues helped her acclimate to the area and understand the local nuances. “The people at my district were very helpful… Chris Higgins helped a lot. I'd be like, I'm going to move to this area. And he'd be like, no, not a good area.” [16:11]

Entering a New District: Authentic Leadership

• Rubie describes entering her new district authentically, not trying to emulate her predecessor: “I’m very comfortable being me…I walk in as me. I give every person basically a clean slate to present themselves.” [18:00]
• She values transparency—even to the point of telling interview panels her intended time commitment was “three to five years”:
  “I should have kept that to myself a little bit. But in their world, they thought it was like, oh, well, she's like honest… intentional in it.” [21:05]

Evolving Leadership Philosophy

• From Overcompensating to Empowering: Early in her career, Rubie says she was more direct and sometimes overcompensated for her youth by being hard on mistakes. Now, she’s focused on support and measured accountability: “One mistake does not mean you can no longer do your job.” [31:47]
• Delegation Gains: In a larger, more complex district, she’s learned to delegate more and build staff confidence:
  “I delegate a lot better. I allow people to do their work and then I'm there to support them…” [29:21]

Advice for Big Transitions

• Patience and Realism: Rubie admits to underestimating how long it takes to feel settled—personally and professionally:
  “I thought I was gonna move, and within six months I'd feel settled. And… now telling me, yeah, you gotta give it [more time].” [32:02]
• Personal Networks: Establishing friendships as an adult, especially outside work, is challenging but crucial for grounding outside your professional circle.

Long-term & Short-term Goals

• Retirement Milestone: Rubie wants to reach 20 years with the Teachers Retirement System for financial security, but doesn’t see herself as a forever career business official:
  “There's so much I want to do and contribute to the world that is beyond this.” [36:01]
• Relocation Reflections: While Long Island is “now home,” Rubie is open to future moves and does not foresee a return to Buffalo, though family could always shift priorities.

Hindsight & Lessons Learned

• Career Pacing: Rushing into a demanding career young was financially great, but had lasting impacts. Patience and boundaries might have eased the way:
  “You don't realize, like, how long you'll be married to the job if you're gonna stick it out.” [38:47]
• Wholehearted Investment & Self-care: Rubie admits to pouring her heart into her work, sometimes to her detriment, and now values clear boundaries.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On early career surprises:
  “I thought I was going to be a doctor and perform surgery on people… Now I'm performing surgery on budgets and financial plans. But, you know, it comes full circle.” [02:19]

• On career influence:
  “You have enough power and influence to get things done. But the buck doesn’t necessarily stop with you…” – John [04:11]

• On moving cities for a job:
  “I was full force ahead initially. The only people that knew was my superintendent, my past superintendent… I wasn’t telling friends, family. Because… people tend to coddle you. They… project that concern.” [09:02]

• On new environments:
  “I had unrealistic thoughts of what this was gonna look like… I thought I was gonna move, and within six months I'd feel settled… you gotta give it [more time].” [32:02]

• On self-advocacy:
  “If only I could tell myself some things about myself… I put my whole heart into the work I do to the point that… that can be, like, literally sacrificing and heartbreaking in the journey.” [38:50]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Career Beginnings & Early Mentorship: [01:56–03:40]
• Staying in the Field – Motivation: [03:40–04:34]
• Defining Career Moments & Relationships: [05:15–06:58]
• Big Move: Why & How: [06:58–12:26]
• Challenges of Relocation (Clash of Expectations, Parent Reactions): [12:26–13:59]
• Adapting to Long Island & Culture Shock: [14:49–17:29]
• Leadership Approach in a New District: [18:00–21:49]
• Evolution in Leadership Style: [29:21–31:47]
• Advice for Career Moves & Settling In: [32:02–33:44]
• Making Friends & Work-Life Balance: [34:12–34:57]
• Long-Term Goals & Reflections: [35:10–37:31]
• Regrets, Hindsight, and Boundaries: [38:43–40:27]
• Closing Thoughts & Gratitude: [40:39–40:56]

Tone & Style

• Open, Candid, and Relatable: The conversation is marked by humor, friendly teasing, and plain-spoken truths about the highs and lows of career transitions.
• Supportive & Empowering: Both host and guest emphasize community, mentorship, and the value of personal relationships—inside and outside the job.
• Realistic but Upbeat: Rubie doesn’t shy away from the emotional and practical challenges of moving but frames change as an opportunity for growth.

For the Listener

This episode is a must-listen for any school business professional considering—or undergoing—a major career shift. Rubie’s honest reflections offer reassurance that while big changes are rarely seamless, they are survivable and even rewarding, especially with strong relationships and a focus on both personal and professional growth.