Huber school board to interview four for treasurer job

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The Huber Heights school board has started its search for a new treasurer to replace Ann Bernardo, who announced last month she has accepted the same position at Northmont.

Eight people applied for the job, and the school board has narrowed the list to four who will be interviewed in executive session on Tuesday. No action will be taken that night, according to school board president Mark Combs.

The four candidates who will be interviewed are: Hiwot Abraha (assistant treasurer, Dayton Public Schools); Mary Hellyer Chasteen (treasurer, Northridge Local Schools); Regina Helmick (treasurer/CFO, Tipp City Exempted Village Schools); and Robert Kuehule (treasurer/CFO, Benjamin Logan Local Schools).

Bernardo’s last day with Huber Heights is June 30.

Josh Sullenberger, the board’s vice president, said he hopes a new treasurer will be in place by mid-June so there will be “overlap time with Ann to help with the transition.”

“We’re looking for somebody to fill the huge void that will be left when Ann leaves,” Sullenberger said. “Ann has been a tremendous asset to the organization and community. The main priority is finding the best possible person we can find to serve our district and somebody who is well-versed in school finance.”

A salary range has not been set yet, Bernardo said. Her current salary is $105,175.

Sullenberger said the next step in the hiring process will be determined after Tuesday’s interviews.

The four other applicants were: Pam Ku Snyder (accountant/contract manager, Think Tank Inc.); Dajuana Lewis (customer care advocate, Coresource); Steven Pickel (owner, Showtime Basketball); and Victoria Rousculp (financial advisor, Thrivent Financial).

Bernardo has been with the Huber Heights district for 14 years, the last 10 as the treasurer. She starts at Northmont on July 1.

Bernardo is a 1987 Northmont graduate and lives in the Northmont school district.

Huber Heights has a budget of nearly $58.5 million this year and an enrollment of about 6,000 students.

Last November, Huber Heights voters rejected the school district’s sixth straight levy request for new operating money. Voters last approved an operating levy in 2005.

Sullenberger said the board has not had any discussions yet about possibly putting a levy on the November ballot.