SHELBY — Beth Lykins is returning to where her administrative career began — about 15 miles away.
Hired in 2020 as Shelby City Schools treasurer, Lykins said she plans to leave the district at the end of the school year to assume the same role at Willard City Schools.
According to meeting minutes from the Willard Board of Education, Lykins’ hiring was approved by the board Jan. 13 at its organizational meeting. Her employment will become effective Aug. 1.
“This was like a full-circle moment,” said Lykins, a 1989 Willard High School graduate. “Usually, you don’t get that opportunity to go back.”
Cynthia Shoup, Willard’s current treasurer, is set to retire at the end of the school year. She trained Lykins during their previous time together at the district.
Willard is also where she started her career in administration, serving as the assistant treasurer for 12 years.
Wanting to remain close to her parents, Lykins still lives in Willard with her family. Her youngest daughter is graduating from the district in 2025.
“I did not want to work in the same district that my kids went to school in, but it just so happens she graduates in May, so it’s perfect timing,” Lykins said.
Lykins gained much experience at Shelby
After 12 years at Willard, Lykins earned her school treasurer’s license and was hired in 2012 as treasurer at South Central Local Schools.
While at South Central, she earned a master’s degree from Ashland University. Lykins then worked as treasurer at Crestview Local School District from 2016 until her hiring at Shelby.
During her time at Shelby, the district built the new Whippet Athletic Complex and a pre-K-8 building, as well as gained voter approval for a levy renewal.
“In the other districts I’ve worked in, I wasn’t part of that,” Lykins said. “We didn’t have any big projects going on, so that experience is the main thing I’ve obtained here at Shelby that I didn’t obtain in the other districts.”
As she prepares to depart, Lykins said Shelby City Schools is financially solid.
She has created a list of monthly duties to be passed on to her successor.
“I’m letting everybody know, that I have contact with, that I’ll be leaving and I’m going to let them know the new person as soon as we can,” Lykins said.
“It’s helpful to have that amount of time and not the typical two-week notice that you see given.”