POULSBO — She’s been described as the best boss ever, a confidant, patient beyond measure and just a great human being, period.

After serving in public education for 27 years, and as the North Kitsap School District’s executive director of Finance for six years, Nancy Moffatt’s resigned.

On Feb. 1 Moffatt took her financial expertise to the state level as the executive director of the Washington Association of School Business Officers. She was selected from a pool of 72 candidates for the position with WASBO.

It’s the understatement of the year, but Moffatt will be sorely missed.

“We’re feeling a real loss because she was an emotional support for all of us. You could always go to her to talk and she always took the time to listen,” said Barb Andersen, Moffatt’s secretary of six years. “Even though we’ll miss her up here, we’re all happy she can help more students statewide.”

The moment Moffatt walked out the door the final time, she created an informational vacuum, taking with her intimate knowledge of NKSD’s finances. Those who’ve worked closely with her praised the numbers guru for being as equally adept at financial jargon as she is at interpersonal skills.

She’s earned a reputation for being balanced, stable and fair. She’s also known as a team player, as those she supervised were treated like they were working with, not for, Moffatt. Above all, she’s irreplaceable, they said.

“As a fiscal manager, she’s always been fair with the interests of the kids at heart. As a person, she was always approachable and very caring,” said Chris Hatch, finance administrative assistant. “She reaches out and puts her boss hat aside and approaches you as a human being. She does it in so many ways it’s just a given for her.”

Jake DeVries, the North Kitsap community pool coordinator, shared a story highlighting Moffatt’s beyond-boss compassion.

DeVries recently moved to Kitsap, leaving friends and family hundreds of miles away in Arizona.

“It was just after Thanksgiving and I didn’t know anybody and Nancy says, ‘Hey, give me a big happy Thanksgiving hug,’ and asked me how it went,” DeVries said. “She cares more about you as a person and developing people. That’s the best kind of boss there is. I’m not sure how that void is going to be filled.”

The stories are the same for all who’ve worked with Moffatt, and they all wish she was sticking around.

But Moffatt will be nearby.

At Jan. 22’s North Kitsap School District Board of Directors meeting, she said she’ll continue to live in the Poulsbo area, as she loves the community and the school district.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know,” Moffatt said. “I’ll be fighting for you in Olympia.”

A recent NKSD press release states Superintendent Rick Jones is currently studying a range of options to maintain effective leadership in the areas Moffatt previously directed.

During her time with the district, Moffatt completed monumental tasks; like helping the district manage years of million dollar budget cuts, stabilizing the pool’s financial situation as well as being a great leader.

“We all just feel fortunate to have worked with her,” Hatch said. “We’re not thinking she’s going to be replaceable. She’s one of a kind.”