MANSFIELD — The Mansfield City Schools’ financial situation has the board looking for advice from veteran school administrators throughout the community.
Former Supt. Dan Freund will be weighing in on cost savings through a consulting contract with the district.
During its meeting Tuesday, the board voted 3-2 to approve an agreement with RedWin Educational Consultants. While his name wasn’t mentioned in the meeting, board president Chris Elswick said the district would be working with a former Mansfield City Schools superintendent.
Both Elswick and Supt. Stan Jefferson later confirmed the district would be working with Freund as part of the RedWin contract.
Freund served as Mansfield City Schools’ superintendent from 2010 to 2013. From 1978 to 1983, he was Mansfield City School’s special education teacher and hearing impaired coordinator.
Prior to his superintendent stint at Mansfield City, Freund spent six years as the superintendent of Clear Fork Valley Local Schools. Afterward, he served as the superintendent of Lucas Local Schools from 2013 to 2017 and Highland Local Schools in Marengo from 2017 to 2019.
“(Freund) has dedicated his life to public education and has invaluable experience in this area,” Elswick said.
“You can never have enough information when making these difficult decisions. I truly believe that public education and the Mansfield City Schools are at a crossroads due to the decisions made on a state and federal level. We have to get this right.”
Elswick said the district will also be working with Janice Wyckoff, who succeeded Freund as Clear Fork’s superintendent. Wyckoff is currently employed as the school treasurer at Crestline Exempted Village School District.
According to the approved contract, RedWin will provide the following services:
- “Budget analysis (review and evaluate current expenditures to identify areas of inefficiency and non-essential spending)
- Strategic recommendations (develop actionable recommendations for reducing costs while minimizing the impact on core educational programs and operations)
- Stakeholder collaboration (Collaborate with district leadership and stakeholders to align recommendations with organizational priorities and goals)
- Implementation support (assistance in planning and implementing approved cost-saving strategies, including monitoring and adjusting as necessary)”
The contract states that RedWin will receive $150 per hour with the total cost not to exceed $15,000. It also allows RedWin reimbursement up to $500 for travel and printing costs.
Board members Jennifer Kime and Gary Feagin both voted against the contract.
Kime questioned whether the organization would be able to provide recommendations in time for the Feb. 18 vote. Feagin questioned whether the expense would be worth it.
“Didn’t we just hire a treasurer? Shouldn’t they be making those determinations?” Feagin said.
Elswick said the contract would provide the board an outside perspective as it weighs “difficult decisions” coming up, including a reduction in force.
What is a Reduction in Force?
Often called a “RIF,” a Reduction in Force occurs when an agency decreases the number of people it employs. This typically involves eliminating positions; it may also include restructuring positions and/or terminating employees.
Jefferson also voiced support for the contract.
“We are always willing to listen and hear recommendations that are being made to us,” he said.
The district’s most recent five-year forecast projected an operating deficit of $3.9 million for the 2024-2025 school year. It also projected the district would run out of operating funds before the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce asked the district to submit a deficit reduction plan for the second time in seven months.
Last month, the district hired a new treasurer, Tammy Hamilla, who began her role as head of district finances on Jan. 1. Hamilla has worked jobs related to school finance for 30 years, but this is her first job as permanent, full-time school treasurer.
The board also voted unanimously to approve a one-year contract with CJ Ritter Consulting. Per the agreement, the agency will:
- Provide guidance and support to update the spending plan for the Ohio Department of Education
- Mentorship of new treasurer
- Review current accounting and posting practices
- Review current account codes
- Review of monthly reporting and practices
- Other projects as requested as approved by both parties
The board authorized an agreement for $75 per hour, not to exceed $7,500. That $7,500 may also include invoices for travel ($30 an hour from Marysville, Ohio) and required overnight stays ($125 per night) in Mansfield.
The board was set to vote on the contract with CJ Ritter consulting during its Jan. 7 meeting, but the vote was tabled because the original contract presented did not have a cap on how much the district would spend.
