The Kenston Board of Education has named Paul Pestello as the school district’s new treasurer, effective August 1. The school board officially approved 5-0 hiring of Mr. Pestello at a special meeting on May 17.
Mr. Pestello will leave his current position as treasurer of the South Euclid-Lyndhurst City Schools. He has been at South Euclid since 2001.
Mr. Pestello was selected from a group of three finalists. The final candidates each gave a detailed financial presentation on the district’s five-year forecast to the Board of Education and Superintendent Nancy Santilli.
“Kenston is an amazing place with a long and proud history and tradition of academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular excellence and is consistently rated as one of the top school districts in the State of Ohio,” said Mr. Pestello. “I am extremely excited, honored and humbled to have been chosen as the next treasurer. I look forward to working alongside all the great people of the district to achieve all the success the district so rightfully deserves.”
Mr. Pestello replaces Phil Butto, who will leave the district at the end of July to take the position as the treasurer of the Hudson City Schools where he resides with his family. Kenston Board of Education President Beth Krause said, “Phil has been a great treasurer and we wish him well.”
During Mr. Butto’s tenure, the district maintained our strong financial standing with budget management and accurate forecasting. In 2017, Moody’s Investor Service conferred an “Aa1” bond rating on the district.
“The board looks forward to working with Paul. He brings a wealth of financial knowledge and experience to our district,” said Dr. Krause.
He started his career as an assistant auditor for the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, becoming an assistant treasurer for the Bedford City Schools. He began his career as a school treasurer in 1995 serving in several area school districts including, Chardon, Fairport Harbor and most recently South Euclid Lyndhurst.
Mr. Pestello will advise the Board of Education on all financial related matters and oversee the district’s financial operations. His responsibilities include preparation of state and federal reports, development and monitoring of the district’s annual budget and five-year forecast, advising on financial implications of decisions related to the education of students and active communication with the board and community.
Paul has extensive experience in school finance and is a proven leader and communicator,” said Mrs. Santilli. “We are extremely pleased to have him join our Kenston team.”