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West G schools seek operations manager
(by Sue Hoffman - August 03, 2011)
West G schools seek operations manager
By SUE HOFFMAN
The West Geauga School Board and administration are conducting the second round of interviews this week for the operations manager.
Current operations manager Michael McDade has accepted the position of business manager with the North Olmsted School District. He was hired in the West Geauga School District last August through the Geauga County Educational Service Center on a per-diem basis and was named a full-time operations manager during the spring semester. He replaced both the business manager and building and grounds supervisor.
The operations manager oversees buildings and grounds, food service, maintenance, technology, transportation and facility maintenance. The position also includes oversight of Education Management Information System, a data collection system for school districts.
"He did an excellent job, and helped move us forward," School Superintendent Thomas Diringer said about Mr. McDade, whose previous experience had been in the private sector.
The district had 25 applications for the position by the deadline, July 15. Dr. Diringer said he hopes the board will be able to hire a candidate at its Aug. 8 meeting.
"Having a decision by next Monday is the goal, but that is obviously pretty fast," school board President William Beers said Tuesday. "Two big impact projects that Michael was working on are the in-house food service and the new transportation arrangement. Although both are at a good place now, ensuring successful execution of the projects is essential."
Mr. Beers said the district also has many facility issues to be addressed, such as roof replacement.
The school district had outsourced management of its food service operation for many years, Dr. Diringer said, but will manage it in-house this year for financial reasons. Helping manage the new program are Cindy Widing, the district's longtime head cook, and consultant Kim Hofman, a registered dietitian who had managed the Barberton School District's food service operation for many years.
Nutrition Inc., of Conneaut Lake, Pa., managed the food service operation last year for the West Geauga District.
In another effort to save costs, the school board recently decided to contract with the Bessie Benner Metzenbaum Center in Chester to provide transportation supervision rather than filling that position in the district.
All buses were moved last spring into the new joint transportation facility on the Metzenbaum campus. Metzenbaum's transportation director will oversee the operation for both fleets, Mr. Beers said.
Dr. Diringer said he hopes the selected candidate will be long term. The district has had several different people in the job of business manager or operations manager over the last decade, he said.
Mr. McDade replaced former business manager Steve Canepa, who resigned after being indicted in connection with activities that occurred while he was working for the Maple Heights School District.
He also replaced Dan Eloff, building and grounds supervisor, who retired Sept. 1, 2010.
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