Our “Unsung Underdogs” series highlights the stories of behind-the-scenes educators and leaders making a real difference in their school districts in partnership with Touchpoint.
In the world of school finance, the best wins often go unnoticed for one simple reason: because the systems work so well, no one has to think about them. That’s the kind of success Deb Armbruster delivers every day. As Treasurer/CFO at Chardon Local Schools, Deb doesn’t just oversee numbers. She solves real operational problems that impact the entire district, quietly transforming how things get done behind the scenes.
One of her key breakthroughs came with a shift in how the district tracks employee time. In a previous role, Deb had used iPads for time tracking, but when she came to Chardon, she needed something more reliable, flexible, and durable. That’s where Touchpoint came in.
“In South Euclid, we used iPads. In Chardon, I used your product. I recommend your product over the iPads every day of the week,” Deb shared. “Our key cards are now used to clock in, open gates, and access buildings. That flexibility makes a big difference.”
At Chardon, the time tracking system isn’t just a tool — it’s part of a broader operational strategy. Deb implemented Touchpoint SmartClocks (fully integrated with Frontline Time & Attendance) across the district, from office buildings to transportation compounds. Employees use keycards to scan in, which instantly and flawlessly logs their hours with the same cards that grant them access to secure areas. It’s a seamless solution that saves time, improves security, and cuts down on manual work.
“You're about time,” she said. “And I love the Touchpoint product. I have them everywhere. The scanners and keypads have been working wonderfully... They’re as reliable as anything I’ve used.”
Touchpoint’s systems also gave Deb better visibility into staffing and budgets. With accurate time data flowing directly into payroll and finance systems, her team can ensure staff are paid correctly and catch potential issues before they become problems.
“It's very important people are paid correctly because 80% of my budget is payroll. So payroll and Touchpoint, in all honesty, is one of the most important things for accuracy for us.” Deb added, “I was able to... use [Touchpoint’s] system automatically with Frontline. That was a full integration and I really appreciated that.”
Perhaps the most striking part of Deb’s approach is how she connects operational upgrades to broader financial strategy. In one instance, she used Touchpoint data to visualize the entire district budget in a chart — a tool that helped her communicate effectively with the school board and justify critical funding decisions.
“You look at my entire budget in a chart, and it’s only five minutes,” she said. “You understand where you are and where you’re going. That’s not fluff — it’s accountability.”
Deb doesn’t shy away from making bold changes if they improve outcomes. She replaced an outdated system because she saw an opportunity to integrate time tracking, security, and access control into a single streamlined process.
“We’re putting in a new transportation compound and using the same keycard technology. It works with a lot of different things — it’s scalable.”
For all her technical savvy, Deb stays focused on the people her work supports. Whether it’s making sure bus drivers are paid accurately or giving building staff a smoother way to clock in, her decisions always come back to improving the day-to-day experience of district employees.
Deb Armbruster doesn’t seek the spotlight — she builds better systems quietly and relentlessly, transforming Chardon’s operations from the inside out. That’s what makes her an Unsung Underdog.
If you’re an unsung underdog struggling to manage employee time collection and accurate payroll in your district, we’d love to help — contact us below!