WARREN Auditor becomes applicant for school treasurer position

The board of education hopes to hire a replacement in August.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City Auditor David Griffing is throwing his hat in the ring for the vacant treasurer's seat in the city school district.
Griffing, 46, has been with the city since 1984, first serving 12 years as deputy auditor.
He's in his second term as auditor. That post is up for election in 2003.
"I'm not trying to leave the city," he said Friday. "I'm not actively looking for other work."
Instead, Griffing said, the school treasurer's position calls for a candidate with qualifications that mirror his own.
"I think what they need is what I can offer," he said.
Search: The Ohio School Boards Association is conducting a search to replace treasurer Greg Slemons, 42, who has taken the same position in the Orange School District, near the Cleveland suburbs of Beachwood and Pepper Pike.
Slemons' resignation is effective June 30, but he's been working in both districts since May because of an unexpected vacancy there.
Warren's interim treasurer is Fran Barta, former treasurer for Niles city schools.
The OSBA application deadline was Thursday.
The city board of education, which will hire Slemons' replacement, is to meet soon to help screen candidates.
Two rounds of interviews are planned. School officials say they will likely hire someone in August.
Rebuilding: Warren is in line to get money from the Ohio School Facilities Commission and will have to seek passage of a bond issue to raise the local share of the money for rebuilding and renovating its school buildings -- something Griffing said he's got a lot of experience with.
He is not certified as a school treasurer. He would have to take a few college courses or rack up a certain amount of hours as a school treasurer to meet certification standards.
Though the city is not broke, recent financial problems continue to strain its general fund.
The district is fiscally sound, which will make the new treasurer's job a little easier, Griffing said.