Grand Lake Regional ESC expands shared services for area school districts

CELINA — The Grand Lake Regional Educational Service Center is expanding the administrative and financial support available to school districts throughout the region.

Director of Finance Services Jennifer Bruns and Treasurer Kurt Wendel discussed the ESC’s partnership with the Shared Services Alliance during Wednesday’s edition of WCSM’s Spectrum.

Bruns said the partnership allows the ESC to assist districts with a range of fiscal operations instead of serving only in a traditional treasurer role.

Services include financial oversight, grant management, payroll, student-activity accounts, professional development and help navigating state and federal regulations.

Bruns also serves as treasurer for St. Henry Consolidated Local Schools and as interim treasurer for Mississinawa Valley Schools. Wendel is serving as Parkway Local Schools’ interim treasurer in addition to his role with the ESC.

The program is also intended to address a shortage of qualified school treasurers, particularly in smaller rural districts.

Wendel said Ohio school boards are responsible for hiring and evaluating both a superintendent and treasurer. However, unlike the more established career path from teacher to principal and superintendent, there is no clear progression for people seeking experience in school finance.

The Shared Services Alliance can provide mentoring and continued support after a new treasurer is licensed and hired.

Bruns said the ESC is also developing internship opportunities for college students studying accounting, business or finance. Interns may work with several participating districts to experience different school financial operations.

The ESC is working with the Ohio Association of School Business Officials to promote school finance as a career and connect students with internship opportunities.

Shared services have also expanded into transportation, Educational Management Information System reporting, board leadership and strategic planning.

Wendel said school bus drivers and other part-time employees have become increasingly difficult to recruit. The ESC can help districts examine transportation operations and use available resources more efficiently.

The Grand Lake Regional ESC employs approximately 115 people who work in six counties. The organization recently changed its name from the Mercer County Educational Service Center to better represent its expanded regional reach.