Nov. 15, 2023 - During the Nov. 14 Board of Education meeting, Cynthia Vaughn was approved as the director of finance. Vaughn has been serving SSD since 2008, when she joined the District as a budget analyst.

“I am excited about my new role at Special School District and remain committed to continuing to serve SSD students, staff, and community,” said Vaughn. “Even though we don’t deal directly with students in the Finance department, we realize the importance of fully supporting staff who dedicate their efforts daily toward SSD’s mission of empowering our students to excel to their greatest potential. It is a mission that is near to my heart that I value, and I look forward to contributing towards continuous growth and the future success of the District.”

As a budget analyst, Vaughn managed all aspects of budget requests districtwide. She forecasted future budget needs through her analysis and provided recommendations to District administration based on her compiled data and budget templates. Vaughn monitored spending and collaborated with multiple departments to ensure Board recommended changes to personnel compensation were accurately tracked and reflected.

Before joining SSD, Vaughn served as a controller for USA Today. Among her duties included supervising finance department staff, budget reconciliation, and maintaining payroll information. She also served as a staff accountant for the National Benevolent Association in St. Louis

Vaughn holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and accounting from the University of Missouri - St. Louis.