Treasurer is hired by district

A school board member took exception at not being notified of a meeting.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The Warren Board of Education has selected a certified public accountant and former deputy state auditor to become the district's new treasurer.
The board unanimously selected Angela J. Lewis, current treasurer for the Weathersfield school district, for the $88,000-per-year job. She begins work here Monday.
Lewis, whose contract runs to January 2009, was named treasurer during a special Thursday night session.
Lewis replaces Lori A. Simone, treasurer of the Trumbull County Educational Service Center, who was named interim treasurer Tuesday.
Simone replaced George Donie, who was named to the interim post Monday. The board had to rescind Donie's appointment, however, when it discovered that his state-issued school treasurer's certificate expired Dec. 31, 2005.
Donie had been serving as a consultant in the treasurer's office. He replaced Merri Smith, who left Monday to become Maplewood School District treasurer.
Why there was a rush
The board needed a state-certified school treasurer because the certification is required to sign board-issued checks, and payroll checks needed to go out.
Lewis has been Weathersfield treasurer since 2001 and was a deputy state auditor.
Board member Linda Metzendorf said Lewis knows Trumbull County, and she audited the Warren district when she worked for the state.
"We're happy to have her here. I think she's up to the challenge," said Robert Faulkner Sr., board president.
He noted the district is involved in a $153 million schools building project.
Board member Edward Bolino said, "She's realistic enough to know that it's a tough job."
What went awry
Board member Nedra Bowen, who didn't receive notification and thus didn't attend Tuesday's special meeting, said she didn't want the non-notification scenario to occur again.
"I was not informed of the board meeting," she said firmly.
Only three board members attended the meeting.
Metzendorf said she was notified at work the day of the meeting and couldn't leave to attend.
"I attempted to call everybody," Faulkner responded. "Obviously, the majority of the people [board members] got the message."
Faulkner said he had to act quickly in getting members together or district employees wouldn't have gotten paid.
"I'm sure the employees were happy to get it [special meeting] done," the board president added.
yovich@vindy.com