Mathews BOE alumnus becomes treasurer

BY Jordan Cohen

news@vindy.com

VIENNA

Brian Stidham, who resigned last month from the Mathews school board, will return to Mathews as the district’s treasurer.

Board members voted unanimously Thursday night to hire their former colleague, who was chosen from nine applicants.

After the vote, Stidham said he will resign Monday from his position as McDonald School District treasurer, a position he has had since September 2009. He will succeed current Mathews Treasurer Teri Andrika who retires at the end of this month.

“One of the reasons I resigned [from the Mathews board] was to consider other options,” Stidham said, admitting that the open Mathews treasurer post was one of them. Stidham also had cited “family reasons” when he resigned from the Mathews board Jan. 10.

“Had I not seen his application, I would have been surprised,” said Mathews Superintendent Lewis Lowery. “He has the most practical experience.”

Stidham said he and the board are “still working out” the details of his salary. His predecessor, Andrika, earns slightly more than $62,000. Stidham’s salary at McDonald is approximately $60,000, according to the Ohio Department of Education website.

“I felt he was the most qualified and I’m comfortable with his existing knowledge of the district,” said Tarin Brown, one of the board members.

Stidham said he hopes to use his experience to keep the Mathews district financially stable.

The board Wednesday also unanimously voted to appoint James Koehler to the seat vacated by Stidham. Koehler, 47, the owner of the Vienna Short Holes golf course, was selected from 11 applicants. It is the first time he has held a public position.

“I felt there was a need and thought I would have something to offer, so that’s why I’m here,” Koehler said.