Brandon Twp.- The school board unanimously approved at their June 18 meeting the hiring of Janice Meek to be the full-time executive director of business services.
‘I am very excited to be part of the team in Brandon,? said Meek. ‘It’s a wonderful community and I look forward to continuing the excellent reputation for academics and other programs.?
Meek will receive an annual salary of $93,000. She replaces Steve Lenar, with whom the district has been sharing contracted financial services with the Holly School District.
‘We have been very grateful for Steve Lenar’s support over the last year and a half, but need someone in the office full-time to help us with all the financial issues facing the district,? said Superintendent Lorrie McMahon.
Meek has served as executive director of business, finance and operation in the River Rouge School District since March 2009. When she arrived in River Rouge, the district had a $1.8 million operating deficit. She helped balance the annual operating budget while bringing in programs including performing arts. River Rouge is projected to end this year with a $2.5 million fund balance deficit, but she noted that the annual operating budget continues to be balanced and she recently helped negotiate a 15 percent teacher wage concession.
‘I was able to balance the budget there and I am hoping to use that experience to stabilize Brandon’s finances in light of the continued cuts from the state,? Meek said. ‘I appreciate the importance of keeping the financial integrity of the district. The state expects us to keep our budget balanced and that’s what I intend to do.?
Prior to her current position at River Rouge, Meek was a contract employee in the business office at Oak Park Schools and Hazel Park Schools and worked in the Rochester Community Schools from 1998 to 2003, first as an accountant/financial analyst, then as an accounting supervisor. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University.