School district welcomes treasurer

Currently under contract for Lorain City Schools, board may challenge ability to leave

It appears Lorain City Schools Treasurer Joshua Hill is headed to South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools.

It appeared Lorain City Schools Treasurer Joshua Hill may be leaving the district.

But Lorain Schools board of education President Mark Ballard said he does not want Hill to leave — and the board may not let him out of his work contract.

The situation was developing July 29 when South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools announced Hill was hired as the district’s new treasurer by a unanimous vote at a special meeting the same day.

“The S-EL Schools formally welcomes Mr. Hill as the new treasurer of our district,” said South Euclid Lyndhurst Schools Board President Stefanie Rhine. “His experience as treasurer, professionalism and eagerness to join our team best suited Mr. Hill for this position.”

Hill’s photo and a board statement was posted at http://www.sel.k12.oh.us on July 29.

“I’m excited about the direction of the District,” Hill said. “I look forward to bringing a positive, goaloriented imprint to the treasurer’s office.”

The statement mentions Hill’s work in Lorain City Schools, where he has served as the main liaison between the board of education and CEO David Hardy Jr., who was hired by the Lorain Academic Distress Commission, which runs Lorain Schools.

In his capacity, Hill also is legal record keeper for the actions of the school board and works as Hardy’s chief strategy and innovation officer.

Hill remains under contract with the school board, Ballard said, and the board will seek a legal opinion about not releasing Hill from that agreement.

Releasing Hill would put Lorain Schools “in harm’s way” because there is not time to get a new treasurer in place for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year, Ballard said.

Hill is the “MVP,” or most valuable player, in the district, Ballard said.

“He’s our LeBron James in the locker room, he’s been consistent with everybody,” Ballard said about Hill.

On July 29, Hill and Hardy were not available for additional comment on the situation.

It was unclear whether Lorain Schools would have another chief financial officer.

On June 25, the CEO approval of agenda included the hiring of a new finance director to work in the district’s administrative center effective July 22.

Exact details about that position were not available late July 29.

“I’m excited about the direction of the district. I look forward to bringing a positive, goaloriented imprint to the treasurer’s office.”

— Joshua Hill, treasurer of S-EL school district

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Lorain City Schools Treasurer Joshua Hill, left, shakes hands with Courtney A. Nazario after administering her oath of office at the school board meeting of July 23.