GFW changes business managers

by Doug Hanson
The GFW School Board decided to end its working relationship with School Management Services, which has acted as its business manager. The company was hired in May of 2025 with the contract running through June 30, 2026.
Superintendent Allen Berg stated that School Management Service is a good company but during the past months it has added more school districts and got too big for the staff that it had.
The Board felt with the school project going on, it wanted information in a more timely manner.
Lindsey  Heine, GFW’s former business manager, was hired to work from November 26 through December 31 for a stipend of $5,500.
The Financial Management Service of the Center of Effective School Operation (CESO) will take over the duties. CESO is currently hired for other services in the District.
The cost for the business manager duties will be $8,120 per month for up to 60 hours per month through June 30th. It will increase slightly July 1st. The 18-month contract runs from January 1st to June 20, 2028.
The Board also mentioned that starting in January, it will begin receiving Open Ed students. These home schooled students will receive help from Open Ed. For its part in the project, GFW will receive approximately $2,000 per student. Menahga is the only other school district in the State that is currently part of Open Ed. They have enrolled 125 students in the program from around the State since July 1st. Open Ed only wanted two or three schools to be part of the program.
It was also noted that former interim superintendent Kelly Smith donated more than half of his consultant fees back to the School District for the 18 weeks he worked.