MOUNT VERNON – Judy Forney, treasurer of the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC), will leave that position for a second stint as treasurer of treasurer of Mount Vernon City Schools on Aug. 1. The MVCS board approved her hiring Monday evening.
Forney previously served as Mount Vernon’s treasurer from 2012 until 2019.
Current MVCS Treasurer Gary Hankins is leaving to take the position of assistant principal at the Knox County Career Center.
Forney said she is “honored and thrilled” to return to MVCS.
“It took me only a few months after I retired from Mount Vernon City Schools in 2019 to realize that I was just not ready to stop working,” she said. “I love being a public school treasurer and was delighted to be able to resume my profession at Knox ESC.
“My experience here has been very special. I’ve come to better understand the importance of Knox ESC to the area districts and, more importantly, I have a new, rich appreciation for the Knox ESC employees who work so hard to support students from all the Knox County schools. They are among the best of the best at what makes public education work.”
At the ESC, Forney has managed an annual budget of $5 million.
“Returning to Mount Vernon as the district treasurer will be like going home,” she said. “I’m honored and thrilled to be offered this opportunity to be back in Yellow Jacket world!”
ESC treasurer since March 2021, Forney has 20 years of experience as a school treasurer, including eight years at Lexington Local Schools and shorter tenures at Bucyrus and Lucas. She also served on the boards of education at Lexington and Mansfield.
Forney has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Ashland University, as well as a master’s in education and school finance from Ashland.
Dr. Timm Mackley, ESC superintendent, said he will recommend to the ESC board of governors that Assistant Treasurer Melissa Carpenter be appointed to succeed Forney.
Carpenter, a graduate of Fredericktown High School, has an associate’s degree in financial management from North Central State College and a bachelor’s in business management from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She holds an Ohio school treasurer license.
Mackley said the ESC has begun a search for a full-time assistant treasurer. Those interested in applying may obtain a job description and related information by contacting the ESC office, 308 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon 43050, or by calling 740-393-6767.
