BOARDMAN — As Boardman schools near the Sept. 14 opening day, they will do so with a new treasurer handling the finances.

Treasurer Nick Ciarniello will be leaving the district as Terry Armstrong steps in to take his place.

Ciarniello has been Boardman’s treasurer for the past three years. He will be heading to Willoughby-Eastlake in Cleveland. That district has two high schools and close to 9,000 students.

“It’s a career advancement and a bigger challenge,” Ciarniello said. His last day will be Friday.

Armstrong starts Monday.

Ciarniello was paid a $93,000 annual salary; the contract details for Armstrong have not yet been finalized.

Armstrong lives in Warren, but has a long history in education and finance. He serves as the treasurer of Newton Falls School District and has 14 years of education experience, serving as a government teacher, a principal, and more recently as Lordstown Schools superintendent for six years. He also has experience in public finance as well as in the private sector.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Armstrong to the Spartan team. His previous experience, skills and talent will be a great asset to the Boardman schools,” said board President Vickie Davis. “We look forward to a smooth transition as we plan for a school year unlike any other.”

Armstrong understands financial situations and with his background in education, “he won’t have to spend time learning that aspect,” Superintendent Tim Saxton said.

One part of the budget Armstrong will be dealing with is loss from the pandemic. Saxton said the state pulled about $900,000 from the last school year’s budget. The state then gave Boardman around $500,000 in federal Cares Act funds to help provide a safe environment for students and teachers.

“We spent roughly $400,000 in just plexiglass to ensure our students and teachers are safe,” Saxton said. “We also had to purchase masks and hand sanitizers.”

Saxton said for the current school year, the state is looking at cutting Boardman by $883,000 while there are federal funds available for close to $250,000.

AUDITOR AWARD

Ciarniello has carried on the tradition of having “clean audits” for which he was recognized at Monday’s board of education meeting. Perry Alexandrides from the Ohio Auditor’s Regional Office was on hand to present the award.

“Boardman has received this award for the past five consecutive years,” Ciarniello said. “The clean audit award is given out to approximately 8 percent of local government and school districts upon completion of a state audit. It is definitely a district-wide team effort to earn a clean audit award, and I appreciate the support my team has received from our board of education.”

He said the award was based on several factors including filing timely financial reports, and closely following ethics, public meeting and public records criteria.