2014 - Regional Classified School Employee of the Year - Justin Lanting

Justin has been at Olympia School District for just one year in the Business and Operations department, but in that time he has helped create an archive system, implemented an electronic leave system and installed a new payment system. His wealth of experience in management in finance is extensive and started very early.



In middle and high school Justin remembers being drawn to administrative work and often helped out in his school office. By his senior year in high school, he had mastered the district’s financial program and was their “go to” troubleshooter. Since then, Justin has worked in business and operations, human resources and food services.



Justin approaches education with a business management perspective that is focused on high levels of efficiency and fiscal accountability. He admits this is not always a popular topic, but he is committed to using the best resources available to streamline processes and free up more resources for the classroom. When federal or state laws change, Justin works with policy makers to determine how to adhere to the laws with easy to implement systems that support the districts instructional goals without disrupting the classroom experience.



Justin’s most recent project was to install a district wide online payment system that replaced receipt books and registers. The increase in access for families and reduction in errors has been significant. Justin is highly collaborative from the very beginning of any project. He actively recruits collaborators with opposing viewpoints. While he admits this takes more time and patience, Justin knows that the result is a solution the whole community can support an implement.



His colleague Cathy Young praises Justin saying, “Not very often is an employer fortunate to find such a skill set in just one individual . . . employees and students of the district have benefited greatly from the work that Justin has done and the expertise he brings each and every day to work.”