CCS names new treasurer

(by Megan Edwards, Staff Writer - April 08, 2009)

Nearly eight months after Columbus City Schools treasurer Michael Kinneer resigned his post, the Columbus Board of Education has named a replacement.

Penny Rucker, 44, formerly the treasurer and chief financial officer at Springfield City Schools, will begin serving Columbus City Schools on April 28.

Board members unanimously hired the London resident during a regularly scheduled board meeting April 7.

According to Gary Baker, board member and chairperson of the district's Treasurer/CFO Transition Taskforce, Rucker was one of eight finalists vying for the position.

Rucker will oversee a budget of more than $1 billion in total funds of the district, according to Baker. Her annual salary is $145,000, including benefits.

Her combined education and understanding of the public school system made Rucker a good choice for the position, Baker said.

"We are the biggest district in the state," Baker said. "It takes a high level of experience, high level of caliber, high level of appropriate education and personality. It was critically important that (Rucker) was at that level."
 
Rucker has experience dealing with an urban school district, one important characteristic that made her even more appealing for the position, Baker said.

"There's nothing like Columbus," he added. "Nothing prepares you for this."

Rucker served the Springfield School District since 2005, according to her resume. Prior to that position, she served as treasurer and interim treasurer for Rucker Consulting, assisting with projects in public school districts around the state of Ohio. She received her bachelor's of science degree in business and accounting from Franklin University, and is in the process of receiving her master's from Ashland University in school treasury.

Her resume boasts achievements in assisting with multi-million dollar bond levy passages, awards for outstanding reporting and analysis from the Government Finance Officers Association and the Association of School Business Officials. According to Rucker's resume, her specialized expertise "includes multi-million dollar building and renovations projects" along with controlling multi-million dollar budgets for various area school district. Rucker has also worked for the state of Ohio Auditor's Office and The Ohio State University and has taught at Columbus State Community College.

Rucker's contract runs through July 31, 2013. The board will maintain a $3 million bond for Rucker during her contract.

Acting treasurer Michael McCammon will assume his former role of assistant treasurer, working directly under Rucker, according to Baker. This will not be the first time Rucker and McCammon have worked together. Both have worked for Springfield City Schools together, and, according to Baker, McCammon spoke highly of Rucker during the interview process.

Board members also voted to appoint Thomas Clark as interim internal auditor at the April 7 board meeting. Clark will temporarily replace Harold Saunders, who resigned April 3. Saunders had until July 31 to obtain his certified public accountant license, a license required by the state in order to serve as internal auditor of a school district. The state passed the law after Saunders was hired in 2005.

Clark, who holds a certified public accountant license, served directly under Saunders as internal audit manager and will receive $98,800 in compensation.
 

^ back to top