Cary School District 26 approves new director of finance and operations

Cary School District 26 has hired a new director of finance and operations to replace the interim director who has held the position for the last year.

David Shepherd, whose hiring was approved at a Monday school board meeting, will have a $100,000 salary with benefits, per the terms of his 12-month, single-year contract. His contract begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2022.

District 26′s current interim finance and operations director, MeriAnn Besonen, will remain with the school district to assist in the transition over the next couple of months.

The former director of finance and operations, Maria Treto-French, left to become the chief financial officer at District 34, Antioch records show.

Shepherd’s hiring came after two rounds of interviews with district administration, and he was recommended after the first round as a top candidate, according to documents attached to the school board meeting agenda.

Currently District 34′s coordinator of transition to on-site learning, remote learning and special projects, Shepherd also has previous experience as a dean of students, assistant principal and middle school principal.

At his current position in Antioch, Shepherd worked with the finance department to procure personal protective equipment; monitored and developed CARES Act and other federal spending; supervised the food service, transportation and building maintenance departments; worked on budget development and fiscal management; and oversaw daily operations at the District 34 Administrative Service Center, according to district documents.

Shepherd holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and secondary education from Carthage College, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education and a chief school business official certification from Northern Illinois University.

District 26 checked four of Shepherd’s references, who said he has a strong ability to analyze data, lead departments, motivate others and solve problems, Superintendent Brian Coleman said.

However, board member Julie Jette expressed concern over something she felt was missing from Shepherd’s qualifications.

“When I read over his resume, I mean, there’s nothing that says finance in there,” she said, adding she brought this up Monday morning with Coleman. “I think one of the most important parts of this position is to be able to direct the finances so that they’re strong years out and to direct the board.”

In response, Coleman said people reach the finance and operations director job through many avenues.

“They can come through the finance office, or they can also come through their education side, which is teacher, administrator and district administrator, and then they take an interest in finance,” Coleman said. “And that’s the path he’s taken.”

In addition, Coleman pointed out, Treto-French was Shepherd’s supervisor at District 34 for his chief school business official internship at Antioch, and Shepherd already knows the district’s financial system, which Coleman said could be a big learning curve for others.

Ultimately, the school board unanimously approved Shepherd.