Thegatewaynews.com - School Board hires treasurer

by Bob Gaetjens

Editor

Streetsboro -- After nearly six months of searching, the Streetsboro City School District has hired a new treasurer.

Hired unanimously May 14 by the Board of Education, Neil Barnes will work under a per diem contract as "Interim Treasurer" through July 31, said board president Denise Baba.

Barnes said he will formally take over as treasurer and be paid $83,000 annually, effective Aug. 1.

"Streetsboro seems like a district in transition right now," he said. "It seems like an exciting place to be."

Baba said the board was impressed by Barnes' references.

"Not only did people not have bad things to say about him; they were effusive about him, about his credentials, and about his work style," said Baba.

Board member Andy Lesak said Interim Treasurer James Estle, who has served the district since December, was "the right person at the right time for this district." Estle replaced former Treasurer Todd Puster, who had served the district for 10 years at the time of his resignation in December.

Baba said the district contacted Barnes via a consultant who was assisting with the treasurer search.

Barnes has been serving as the assistant treasurer in the Orange City School District, and he said "this seemed like a next logical step."

Barnes managed financial operations of the treasurer's office in the Orange district, along with the external financial reporting process.

Before he was at Orange, Barnes served as an audit manager for the Ohio Auditor of State, where he managed school district and city audits. He also is a CPA and resident of Granger Township in Medina County.

He said he looks forward to familiarizing himself with the district's five-year plan and budget for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Linda T. Keller said the district stands to lose its personal property tax revenue over the next seven years, which will ultimately represent a $3.3 million annual loss to the district.

"That's going to be in the forefront [of my focus on the job]," said Barnes.

Other personnel matters

The School Board also unanimously:

* Accepted the resignation of Campus Elementary School Principal Sheryl Langell;

* Hired Bruce Johnson as the district's new athletic director, replacing Dave Hostetler, who has been serving in the position this year as interim athletic director. Johnson began work May 15 and will work through July 31, earning $338 per day.

On Aug. 1, his two-year contract will take effect, paying him $79,500 through July 31, 2011; and

* Hired Dr. Jeff Watkins as pupil services director. He will work May 15 to July 31 on a $383 per diem, and then will begin a three-year contract, receiving a salary of $83,000 annually.

E-mail: bgaetjens@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3941