Matthew Brown was selected as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the Beachwood City Schools on March 9. At the Board of Education meeting on March 13, Brown was officially voted in.

Brown replaces Michele Mills, who is retiring after 35 years in the district. 

“I know Mrs. Mills has created a very strong financial foundation and I hope to follow in her footsteps, though they may be very large,” he said at the Board meeting. “I look forward to continuing [that work] for years to come.” 

Brown previously worked as Treasurer for Euclid City Schools and is currently Treasurer at Nordonia City Schools.

Beachwood had held a ‘Meet the Candidates Night’ on Feb. 8. to introduce three finalists for the position of school board treasurer. 

The Meet the Candidates Night was an opportunity for the candidates to introduce themselves and share their qualifications and experiences, and for the community to ask questions and express their expectations for the new treasurer.

The three finalists at that time were Adam Fisher, Treasurer at West Branch Local School District, Kyle Kiffer, Treasurer in Streetsboro and Wyndham Exempted School District and Mark Donnelly, Treasurer of the Wellington Exempted School District.

However, the Board of Education held a second public input session to consider an additional candidate for treasurer on March 1. This is when Brown was introduced.

School Board President Megan Walsh explained in a press release to the Cleveland Jewish News that the public input  sessions were important for the Board.

 “Community engagement is a priority of the board,” she said in the press release. “The input from these sessions weighed heavily in our decision making.

“Mr. Brown’s experience, professionalism, and demeanor are the best fit for Beachwood,” she added. “He brings a wealth of experience in school finance that will ensure a smooth transition in the treasurer’s office.”

Superintendent Dr. Bob Hardis is pleased to have Brown on board. 

“I’m excited to partner with you and serve this amazing community with the integrity, respect, and fiscal conservatism that it deserves,” he said in the press release.