LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education meeting highlights

FEBRUARY 19, 2025, special meeting

• Treasurer search proposals
• Board discussion
  
  

Present were President Malia Lewis, Gabe Crenshaw, Dan Heintz, Jodi Sourini, and Phil Trimble. Also present were Treasurer Scott Gainer and Assistant Superintendent Paul Lombardo. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. and adjourned at 8:30 p.m. 

The purpose of the meeting was to hear presentations by search firms invited to submit proposals for a treasurer search. Scott Gainer will retire July 30. In Ohio, the boards of education have the responsibility to hire school system treasurers, who must be licensed. A license in another state does not automatically transfer to Ohio.

Treasurer search proposals

The following people presented proposals for their companies: 

• Russ Bennett, of Finding Leaders, located in Sagamore Hills, and retired superintendent from Aurora schools,
• Cheryl W. Ryan and Kristi Robbins, of the Ohio School Boards Association, located in Columbus, and former board of education members,
• Dan Wilson, of the Educational Service Center of Western Reserve, located in Concord Township, and former treasurer of Mentor and Shaker schools.

All companies provided documentation of their plans. They laid out the process, timeline, and whom they would engage in the process. Creating a candidate profile and engaging the stakeholders were emphasized. They explained how they would work on marketing, recruitment, and interviewing and screening procedures. They provided examples of strategies to get the new treasurer on board. All presenters emphasized that the number of qualified candidates is limited in Ohio. 

Board questions and concerns related mostly to unusual features of the CH-UH school system. The candidate needs exceptionally strong communication skills. The community is actively engaged and vocal about their school system. The school system and community members (Susie Kaeser was explicitly mentioned) are very active in state-level advocacy. The candidate must be able to network, provide testimony, and have a positive presence at the state level. These are skills not usually required of treasurers.

Mr. Gainer added that the treasurer is also the custodian of records and deals with public records requests. The school system also has a strong union, and if a candidate has experience in this environment, it would be an asset. 

Board discussion

All board members favored Dan Wilson’s proposal. He showed an understanding of the community and the school system and is an experienced treasurer. Mr. Wilson also said it might not be so hard to find qualified candidates, saying that candidates will see Cleveland Heights-University Heights as a destination district; the school system is highly regarded, has a well-functioning board, and an excellent treasurer. Mr. Gainer agreed with Mr. Wilson and said he would help with recruitment and coaching. 

LWV observer: Eefje Kolkman

Documents for all board meetings can be accessed from the Board of Education webpage: www.chuh.org/BoardofEducation.aspx. Go to “BoardDocs” in the menu; on BoardDocs go to “MEETINGS” in the top menu; click on “Agenda.” Board meetings are livestreamed on the district’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/CHUHSchools) and recorded for later viewing.