OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The year was 1992. Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” topped the charts. The Cartoon Network launched. The USA’s “Dream Team” dominated basketball at the Barcelona Games. Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida.
1992 was also when Theresa Boston-Ellis applied for an entry-level position with Marion County Public Schools. Now, 33 years later, her distinguished career of leadership and achievement has placed MCPS in the state spotlight for all the right reasons.
This Friday will be the last time Boston-Ellis reports for work, as she retires with accolades and respect from virtually everyone, she has worked with over more than three decades.
During her tenure, Boston-Ellis served under seven superintendents and rose through the ranks as accountant, director, executive director of Business Services, deputy superintendent of operations, and ultimately chief financial officer.
Appointed CFO in 2017, she previously worked in the private sector for Fortune 500 companies in the oil, gas, and transportation industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
As CFO, Boston-Ellis oversaw all financial operations of the district, including its $1.2 billion budget and multiple departments such as business services, payroll, warehouse operations, and food and nutrition services. Colleagues credit her with guiding the district through critical financial milestones—including the COVID-19 pandemic—while consistently balancing budgets, maintaining a healthy fund balance, and supporting the district’s sustained growth.
She facilitated the district’s transition from paper-based processes to digital financial systems, managed funding during periods of economic uncertainty, and oversaw major construction financing. Most notably, she directed the school board’s $350 million low-interest loan to fund two new elementary schools that opened this year, a new high school scheduled to open next year, a replacement middle school, and two classroom wing additions.
Her leadership also earned the district 24 consecutive years of national recognition for financial transparency from the Government Finance Officers Association.
While her work focused on numbers, Boston-Ellis always sought ways to connect with the students and educators represented by those numbers. On the first day of school this year, she volunteered at Saddlewood Elementary School.
“The kids were so happy—some of them, the backpacks were bigger than they were,” she said. “The parents were kind of sad, but the kids were just glad to be at school. It’s uplifting, knowing our work helps pay teachers, order supplies on time, and make sure classrooms are ready.”
Humble in the spotlight, Boston-Ellis emphasizes her career was never about personal recognition. Instead, she credits the “village” around her—her family, colleagues, leadership teams, and the collaboration of schools, departments, and board members over the years.
She also credits her faith for carrying her through moments of challenge. “I’ve been blessed to serve alongside dedicated people who care deeply about education. Together, we’ve achieved so much for our students—and that will always be the most meaningful part of my career,” she said.
Succeeding her as CFO is Robert Rios-Welsh, a newcomer from Atlanta who brings both experience and enthusiasm for public education and the complexities of publicly funding it. Already on the job, Rios-Welsh is shadowing Boston-Ellis—whose shoes are certainly big to fill, and whose impact on local education will be felt for years, if not decades, to come.
