Panel suggests Mansfield schools perform better employee background checks
Better background checks and more updates on district finances will be among recommendations the financial oversight committee presents in its first report to the Mansfield City Schools Board of Education today.
Using district data provided by Treasurer Jim Leh-mann — which included numbers of students, administrators and support staff — the committee compiled several recommendations Tuesday.
A more thorough staff selection procedures was high on the list.
Legal fees, settlements, insurance and other litigation expenditures related to last year’s resignation of former director of strategic planning Al Warner and the departure of former chief academic officer Ruth Kotler cost the district $464,277."I think we’re putting the cart before the horse," Lehmann said. "We interview and hire people and then say, ‘OK, now go get a background check.’ There’s no doubt we’ve made some personnel decisions that were lacking."
"And costly," added Highland Local Schools Director of Special Education John Opperman.
Lehmann suggested the board receive updated financial data monthly rather than once a year.
"This will allow (board members) to see how things are going more regularly, instead of doing it at the beginning of the year for the whole year," Lehmann said. "Things change."
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