By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday evening to hire Matt Feasel as the district’s new chief financial officer and treasurer.
Feasel, who attended the special meeting, knows his way around school finances, is very familiar with Bowling Green, and is well acquainted with the district’s Superintendent Ted Haselman.
And Feasel, who has nearly 40 years experience in school finance, has no reservations about joining the district as it embarks on a huge building project.
“That’s the best time,” Feasel said after the meeting. “I want to get in on the ground floor.”
After the board’s action Wednesday, the elephant in the room was addressed by Haselman, BG School Board President Tracy Hovest and Feasel himself.
In addition to bringing decades of experience to the job, Feasel also comes with a black mark on his resume. In 2016, while treasurer for the Perrysburg school district, Feasel’s management of the treasurer’s office was cited in a state audit of the district, which investigated hundreds of thousands of dollars stolen by an employee in the treasurer’s office. That employee was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Feasel resigned from his position.
Haselman said he had no reservations about hiring Feasel.
“He did not do anything wrong,” Haselman said.
“After working with him for seven years at Pike-Delta-York, I know the quality of his work,” Haselman said. “I’ve got full confidence in his work. He’s one of the best treasurers around.”
Hovest said Feasel addressed the issue during his interview with the board.
“He was very forthright,” she said. “We knew it would probably raise some eyebrows, but we are very confident.”
Hovest pointed out that two state audits at Perrysburg school district had failed to catch the embezzlement by the staff member. It was Feasel who ended up finding the problem and notifying the state auditor’s office.
“He was not the one who did it,” Hovest said. “We feel like he was a victim as well.”
Feasel said prior to him identifying the theft, his office had two perfect audits from the state. But ultimately, it was his responsibility to catch the problem.
“I didn’t catch it,” he said. “As the treasurer, I’m responsible for every dime.”
Feasel was actually sought out to apply for the job because of his reputation and his work with Haselman, who was superintendent at Pike-Delta-York school district before coming to Bowling Green.
The Bowling Green Board of Education had six candidates for the position left open after the board voted earlier this year to not extend the contract of the current treasurer, Cathy Schuller. Schuller will remain on the job until July 31.
The board interviewed three of the candidates, with Feasel being the top choice.
“We are very, very fortunate to have Mr. Feasel joining our team,” Hovest said.
Feasel stood out in terms of transparency, Hovest said.
“He believes in putting the finances out there, for the community to see,” she said. “He’s easy to talk to, very approachable. We are looking forward to all that he and his experience and expertise will add to the momentum and trajectory of Bowling Green City Schools.”
Feasel’s three-year contract will begin on Aug. 1, with his annual salary set at $127,500 for the first year, $130,000 for the second year, and $132,500 for the third year. To aid with the transition, Feasel will work up to 10 days from now until his contract begins, at a per diem rate of $503.95.
Feasel began his career in governmental finance in 1979, when he served as a deputy auditor under Wood County Auditor Harold Bateson. Six years later, was hired as treasurer for the Elmwood school district, his alma mater, where he remained for 10 years.
He then moved to the treasurer’s position for Fremont schools, but was asked to run for Elmwood school board. Feasel served on that school board for eight years, during a big building project there.
Feasel was then hired as treasurer for the Hilliard school district near Columbus. Accustomed to living in the rural Wood County towns of Bloomdale and Wayne, the sixth largest district in Ohio, was “too big for me,” he said.
So he came back to Wood County, serving as treasurer for the Perrysburg school district for 11 years. From there, he worked for the Pike-Delta-York district for the last eight years, where he served alongside Haselman.
“I’m excited to work with him again,” Haselman said. “He’s top notch.”
In his role as CFO/Treasurer of Bowling Green City Schools, Feasel will oversee all aspects of financial management for the district, the oversight of daily operations of the treasurer’s department, including asset inventory, payroll, purchasing, financial forecasting, revenues, expenditures, state and federal grant reporting, investing district funds, the preparation of the annual budget, an annual financial report, and the compilation and submission of the five-year forecast, which serves as a tool to assess the financial health of the district. He will also serve as secretary to the Board of Education, maintaining official records, documents, contracts, and board meeting minutes.
“His extensive experience, dedication to educational finance, proven track record of financial leadership, transparency of district finances, and his deep understanding of the complexities of school finance will make him an invaluable asset to our district,” Haselman said.
Feasel has served on a number of community, civic, and educational organizations and has received many community and public service awards in his career, including the Ohio Association of School Business Officials Distinguished Service Award for Northwest Ohio. He has demonstrated his commitment to advancing the field of school business management through his membership in various professional organizations. He remains an active member of OASBO, serving on several committees and has held several leadership positions, including past President. He is also a member of the Association of School Business Officials International and the Ohio School Boards Association. He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Ohio Association of School Business Officials Foundation for School Business Management.
“I love Bowling Green. It’s always been considered home for me,” Feasel said.
“I am honored to join the Bowling Green City School District and look forward to working with the district leadership team and the Board of Education to ensure sound fiscal management and support the district’s goals,” he said.
