Brandon Twp.- Beginning in July, the school board will hold their regular meeting the third Monday of every month.
The board has met the second Monday of the month for years, but unanimously approved the change during their June 13 meeting in order to accommodate Steve Lenar, acting executive director of fiscal affairs for the district.
The board shares Lenar’s services with the Holly School District, whose school board meets the second Monday of the month. To avoid a scheduling conflict, Brandon opted to change their meeting dates.
The school board contracted with Lenar earlier this year, after former finance director Jamie Cowan took an unexplained leave of absence in January. The school board accepted a letter of resignation from Cowan in March after the finance committee ‘discovered discrepancies.? An audit last August revealed a $500,000 surplus.
Lenar’s contract, scheduled to end in June, was recently renewed by the district. Superintendent Lorrie McMahon said the contract has been extended through June 2012, at a cost not to exceed $50,000. Lenar receives no insurance or retirement benefits, costing the district significantly less than a full-time employee.
‘We’re very happy with his work, that is why we have made arrangements to keep his services,? McMahon said.
The next regular school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., July 18, at the central district office, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. A public budget hearing will be 6 p.m., June 29 at the I-TEC, 609 S. Ortonville Road, followed by a special board meeting at 6:30 p.m. to approve the budget.