Shelton hired as new USD 234 business manager

USD 234 is moving forward with a new business manager after action taken Tuesday by the USD 234 Board of Education.

During a three-minute special meeting Tuesday, the board unanimously approved hiring Gina Shelton, currently a CPA working with a local firm, as business manager and board clerk for the remainder of the 2015-16 school year.

The board also approved a handful of other employment items during its brief meeting.

Shelton replaces longtime district employee Susan Peery, whose resignation was approved during the Sept. 14 board meeting. Peery left the district to pursue another job opportunity.

Her resignation became effective Sept. 25.

Following Tuesday's meeting, USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham said the district received seven applications for the position and five applicants were interviewed.

"We narrowed it down to two excellent candidates and made a tough decision," Beckham said.

Beckham said Shelton will fill out the remainder of Peery's one-year contract with the district and he anticipates re-hiring Shelton next spring.

"I look forward to a long-term partnership with her," he said.

Beckham said he feels Shelton will be an ideal candidate as the district moves forward with school funding issues it and other school districts across the state face, including the two-year block grant funding system the Kansas Legislature put in place this year.

The district is also in the middle of a two-year $40.8 million school bond package to make district-wide improvements approved by voters in November.

"With her accounting background and her expertise in managing large financial accounts, I think it's a natural fit for her skills," he said.

Beckham said Alan Drake, former longtime business manager for the district, will be helping Shelton make the transition into her new job.

"And I will help her on the school side of things," Beckham said. "I have tremendous confidence in her abilities."

In her new position, Shelton's salary package for the one-year contract will be $80,000 which includes a $78,270 base salary, $1,250 for in-district travel and a $480 cell phone allowance.

Peery's total annual salary at the time of her departure was $72,500, according to Beckham.

Shelton was not present for the meeting. When reached for comment, Shelton said she is "excited" for this new opportunity.