Search Begins for a New Treasurer at Lakewood Schools

The Board of Education has enlisted the help of the Ohio School Board Association (OSBA) to help seek out the next treasurer of the . 

Good news is, the current treasurer, , has given more than a year’s notice of his resignation, and he’ll play an integral role during the transition process in late 2012. 

Bad news is, the next treasurer may have his or her hands full as the district is expected to incur over over the next two years. 

Kathy LaSota, the OSBA director of school board services, spoke at during the board’s regular meeting on Monday night, and outlined the five phases of the recruitment process: 

• Building a Profile: The school board identifies the experience, qualities and characteristics of the new treasurer it has in mind, and LaSota begins the search based on that criteria.
• Recruiting: LaSota uses her contacts and resources to seek out prospective candidates. Since the talent pool is small in Ohio, LaSota will be lucky to get 15 candidates, and it’s probable that only five to eight of who will be considered by the school board.
• Screening and Evaluation: LaSota will move into a coaching role and recommend the best choices. The board members will make the final decisions on whom to interview.
• Advising on Contract Issues: If board members have any questions or comments, then the OSBA will help to guide them on crafting the contract.
• Work Session (Optional): The OSBA would work alongside the school board and new treasurer to help ease the transition and discuss how a relationship can be built among the school officials for a smooth transition. 

Following LaSota’s presentation, board member Linda Beebe asked about the timeline and its projected duration. 

“The sooner you (build the profile), the better,” LaSota said. “That would give me the opportunity to start going out there and thinking about who to approach, who to invite into the process. Phase one should happen as early as possible…the rest of the process can happen over time as long as you give me and identify the date that you’d like to employ your next treasurer.” 

Berdine, who took up the post in 1998, plans to step down Dec. 31, 2012, and the school board intends to draw up a profile in the upcoming weeks in order to start the process of replacing him.