Edison treasurer takes Gibsonburg Schools job

MILAN — Anne Arnold wasn't expecting to leave Edison Schools. But something came up. "I received a call from Gibsonburg Schools' board and they asked if I would come in and meet with them," she said. "Someone recommended me since I live nearby." Arnold will become Gibsonburg Schools' treasurer on Aug. 1 after nine and a half years as Edison Schools' top finance official. Her last day at Edison is July 29. For Arnold, this means she'll soon have a 10-minute commute compared to her current 45-minute commute to Milan. "It was just an opportunity that presented itself and it was a difficult decision," Arnold said about leaving Edison Schools. "It's very bittersweet because I've enjoyed my time at Edison. I'm leaving one great district and going to another great district." Board members are expected to accept Arnold's resignation at its public meeting Tuesday at Edison Middle School, according to the agenda on the district's website. They were scheduled to interview candidates to replace Arnold on Monday evening in a closed-door meeting. The Register contacted board president John Betts last week for more details on the treasurer, but hasn't received a response as of Monday. The newspaper has asked Betts for additional information on the treasurer's search, like what search firm is being used; how many candidates will interview next week; how many rounds of interviews will be conducted, among other questions. Arnold's career Before her stint at Edison Schools, Arnold previously worked at Woodmore and Benton-Carroll-Salem schools. At Edison Schools, Arnold said she'll miss "the relationships I've built with the staff, students and community, but even with the (Milan) Rotary Club I've been part of this entire time and the businesses I've frequented" in Milan. Arnold said she and superintendent Tom Roth, who's retiring from Edison Schools in July after 11 years, have had a great working relationship. "We've been able to communicate with each other and keep each other on the same page," she said. "That has been one of the best working relationships I've had with a superintendent — for the amount of time we've been together, we've worked very well as a team." Arnold said she's disappointed she'll miss Edison Schools' construction project. In April, board members unanimously decided to build two schools — one for students in preschool through 5th grade in Berlin Heights and another school for grades 6-8 added onto the existing Edison High School building in Milan. "I hope the new buildings will come to fruition," she said. "The students deserve that; it's been a long time coming." Arnold said she has confidence in the district's finances and touted recent noteworthy projects. "We've developed a lot of financial stability," she said. "The renovations to the high school science labs and the construction of the field house were significant. "We're in a good place financially," she said. "I feel comfortable leaving the district in the place that it's in right now." Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com and follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood - Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.