Middletown City Schools Names Lana Fairchild as Next Treasurer/CFO

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – The Middletown City School District Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Lana Fairchild as the district's next Treasurer/CFO. The Board approved her appointment during a special meeting on May 28.

Fairchild will begin her duties on August 1 and will succeed Randy Bertram, who has served as Middletown City Schools' Treasurer/CFO for the past 12 years.

Currently serving as Treasurer/CFO for Amanda-Clearcreek Local Schools, Fairchild oversees a $25 million budget and leads long-range financial planning, forecasting, and operational initiatives. She brings nearly 25 years of leadership experience spanning public education and private industry, with expertise in school finance, human resources, operations, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.

Throughout her career, Fairchild has led significant financial and operational initiatives, including financing a $22 million construction project without increasing the tax burden on residents and securing nearly $1 million in federal funding to support district programs. Prior to her current role, she served as Treasurer/CFO for Bright Local Schools and held several leadership positions in human resources and operations at Chillicothe City Schools.

Fairchild is recognized throughout Ohio for her expertise in school finance and frequently presents at conferences hosted by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO) and the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA).

"Middletown City Schools has an inspiring reputation for innovation and student-focused programming," Fairchild said. "I am thrilled to join this dedicated team and contribute to our shared mission. By maintaining a financially strong and transparent district, we will continue to provide meaningful, high-quality opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and succeed."

Middletown City School District Board of Education President Dr. Chris Urso said Fairchild's extensive experience and leadership qualities made her a standout candidate throughout the search process.

"The Board of Education is excited to welcome Lana Fairchild to Middletown," Urso said. "She is an accomplished treasurer with extensive experience in both school finance and the private sector. Beyond her impressive professional background, Lana is a personable, innovative, and ethical leader whose expertise and character will be tremendous assets to our district and the broader Middletown community."

In addition to her district leadership experience, Fairchild serves as OASBO's representative on Ohio's Educator Standards Board, contributing to statewide discussions on education policy and professional standards. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Ohio University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.

The district partnered with K12 Business Consulting to lead the Treasurer/CFO search process. The Board appreciates the firm's guidance and attention to detail in helping identify a candidate with extensive experience in school finance, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.

The Board looks forward to welcoming Fairchild to Middletown City Schools and partnering with her to build on the district's strong tradition of financial stewardship while continuing to expand opportunities for students.