Ravenna Schools hires new treasurer; same search firm working to find superintendent

Ravenna City School District has hired Kristen Plageman as treasurer. She will replace Candi Lukat, who resigned as treasurer of the district in March.

Laura Hebert, superintendent of Ravenna City Schools, said Plageman will start July 15. She will be paid $117,500 a year. Until then, Sherry Tyson and Ryan Pendleton are overseeing the district's financial operations through a contract with the ESC and Northcoast Shared Services Alliance.

The search firm that helped Ravenna find Plageman, Finding Leaders and the Educational Services Center of Northeast Ohio, is now working with the board to find a new superintendent. Hebert announced plans to retire in July. The same search firm helped the district find Hebert in 2021, and its treasurer in 2018 and 2016.

“We are extremely fortunate that Kristen was interested and said yes,” said Michael Wisniewski, president of the board of education. “Our district will benefit from her expertise in financial management and program development that will continue to provide an excellent education for all of our students.”

One Plageman's first tasks will be working to put an emergency levy on the ballot in November. In the wake of the levy's failure in May, the district recently released a list of potential budget cuts. The board of education must vote to put the levy on the ballot by August.

Since 2019, Plageman has been director of strategic initiatives for the Parma City School District. Her certifications and licenses include treasurer, superintendent, career technical education administration, business manager as well as an intervention specialists license with a transition to work endorsement. She hold a master's degree in education from Cleveland State University and a bachelor of arts in business from Bowling Green State University.

“I’m excited to become part of this community to help provide, preserve and create new services for positive pathways for all children,” said Plageman.

Plageman served on the many committees in Parma City Schools, including insurance, finance, policy, curriculum, levy and labor management.

Hebert said Ravenna will benefit from Plageman’s experience in both financial management and directing strategic initiatives.

“Along with outstanding financial stewardship, the district also has someone who has helped to build career technology programs as well as academic and career readiness initiatives," Hebert said.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna schools hire treasurer; same firm looking for superintendent