District hires interim treasurer

PERKINS TWP. — Perkins Schools recently hired an interim treasurer to take over duties while officials search for someone to fill the position. Betty Schwiefert was hired on an "as-needed" basis with a $75-an-hour rate. Andrea Smith, North Point Educational Service Center superintendent, said North Point will assist the district in its candidate search until a qualified applicant is selected by the board. Mike Spafford, who has been the district's treasurer since 2023, is still a current employee at the district but has decided to pursue other opportunities, according to Perkins Schools' superintendent Lonny Rivera. He will keep his position and salary, $118,500, until all responsibilities are transferred to Schwiefert. Rivera added there is no set date as to when this is expected to happen. News of the change came when the district's school board announced the following actions would occur at its Sept. 16 meeting: • Appoint an interim treasurer • Conduct a closed-door/executive session to consider the employment of an employee or public official A contract with North Point Educational Service Center for the interim position and the appointment of Schwiefert in the position were approved at the meeting, according to Smith. "The Perkins board president contacted (North Point Educational Service Center) to inquire about interim treasurer support and we connected him to Betty," Smith said. "Betty has served Perkins Schools in the past in an interim treasurer role." Schwiefert also brings 50 years of experience as a school treasurer. She worked with North Point for nearly four decades before she retired in 2012. She now spends her days as Kelleys Island Schools' treasurer, and since her retirement, she has supported 13 local districts with either interim treasurer or fiscal support.