Lakewood City Schools Hire New Treasurer

There have been three treasurers (one of them an interim) at the Lakewood City Schools in two years.

In December, there will be a fourth. 

At a special meeting on Thursday, the school board approved Kent Zeman as the district’s newest treasurer.

Zeman, the current Treasurer of Avon Local Schools, will replace interim treasurer Jim Estle on Dec. 1.

There were 20 applicants for the position.

“We are pleased to hire Kent Zeman,” said school board president Edward Favre in a news release. “He comes to us with great credentials and we are confident he is up to the challenges and important hard work we have ahead of us.” 

Zeman will work with Estle prior to Dec. 1 to ensure a smooth transition, “just as Estle worked with former Treasurer Tim Penton prior to his retirement on July 31,” according to the news release.

While he’s spent the past nine years in Avon — where he was part of a couple of successful school levy campaigns — Zeman has “extensive school finance experience” dating back to his time with the Clearview School District in the late-1990s.

Lakewood school officials said that Zeman’s experience with construction projects will be helpful as Lakewood looks to finish Phase 3 of the district’s Facilities Master Plan.

It appears he’ll be missed in Avon.

Avon Superintendent Michael Laub called Zeman a "great guy.”  

"It is a great get for them," referring to his new gig in Lakewood. "I think the world of him."

Zeman said he’s eager to bring his knowledge and experience to Lakewood.

“As a true believer in public education I look forward to the challenges and opportunities to serve the Lakewood City School District and the community of Lakewood,” he said in the news release. “I am excited to begin working together with the Board, Administration, and all staff to provide the best educational opportunities for the children of Lakewood while being sensitive to the citizens of the Lakewood community.”

Avon Patch editor Lori E. Switaj contributed to this report.