EAST PROVIDENCE —  To his surprise and to the delight of his peers in the department, East Providence School District Director of Finance Craig Enos was presented with the Rhode Island Association of School Business Officials “School Business Official of the Year” for 2021-22 at a ceremony held Thursday morning, Sept. 30, in the former Career and Tech Center auditorium.

The auditorium is in the home for the district’s central offices, moving there the last year from a space in City Hall as part of the new East Providence High School building project, which now encompasses all CTC classrooms and academic spaces.

Enos, entering his fourth term with the district, was nominated for the commendation by E.P. Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Crowley. He oversees an annual budget in excess of $80 million with covers some 800 employees and over 5,000 students.

“I was really honored by the award because it comes from my colleagues in the association, so it really does mean a lot to me,” said Enos, adding “And I work for a great superintendent, who keeps me on my toes and makes my days very busy.”

Crowley was effusive in her praise of Enos’ performance this past year, writing in her letter of recommendation, “It is no small task to monitor that budget with its extensive payroll, purchasing and payables; generate mandated fiscal reports for RIDE, the City and auditors; and report regularly to me and the School Committee. I might add that East Providence has a fiscal year beginning in November which does not align with state or federal funding or the school year which complicates District accounting. Mr. Enos accomplishes his tasks in such a manner that I, as Superintendent of Schools, am able to totally rely on him which I am most grateful for.”

The superintendent noted, as well, Enos’ key role in negotiations with the district four unions, completing in the last year new collective bargaining agreements for each. Crowley also called his participation in the bond process to pay for the $189.5 million new EPHS project as “instrumental” and his contributions, in general, “invaluable.”

“Mr. Enos accomplishes his tasks in such a manner that I, as Superintendent of Schools, am able to totally rely on him which I am most grateful for,” Crowley wrote, continuing, “Understanding how all of the above would create considerable stress, two of Craig’s most welcome assets are his pleasant nature and ever-present smile. His is a most demanding position, however, he is simultaneously able to relieve tension and get the job done.”

Enos, a resident of neighboring Barrington, guides a staff of five including controller Michael Hubert, Terry Valley in accounts payable, Patricia Furtado and Donna Colasante in payroll and Beverly Lefort in accounts receivable. The Finance office, in total he said, helped the district weather the extraordinary circumstances of the contending with a world-wide pandemic while simultaneously assisting in the opening of a comprehensive new high school.

“This last year has been very, very tough. But I have a great team,” Enos said. “I have a great Finance Department. We haven’t missed a beat, even when COVID hit. We haven’t missed a payroll. We ran straight on through. We haven’t missed a beat paying bills. It’s been tough, a lot to juggle, particularly with the new high school, but I really have a tremendous group of individuals who I work with on a daily basis. They really help me and allow me to do the bigger things.”

A district employee since the spring of 2018, Enos said he has gained a greater appreciation for the community during his stay here while enjoying his time to date in the district and East Providence, as a whole.

“I’ve worked incredibly hard for the district and I love being here,” Enos added. “I think the city here tells a great story, from Bullocks Point Ave. to Newman Ave. I think it tells a wonderful story and I consider myself fortunate to be a part of it.”