Takes same job with Ashland City Schools

Ironton city finance director Kristen Martin is set to leave her position with the city for the same position with the Ashland Independent School District in Kentucky.

Martin put in her resignation on Sept. 30, with her last official day being next Friday.

At an Ironton finance committee meeting Thursday afternoon regarding the resignation, Martin said her recommendation was to promote from within, rather than hiring from the outside and bringing someone in.

“I want to train from within and keep a position at the bottom open, rather than the position at the top,” Martin said.

Martin suggested assistant finance director John Elam be promoted to finance director. Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith said she supported that recommendation, having previously worked with Elam for many years, and stated that she believed he had all of the qualifications necessary.

The finance committee ultimately decided that the position should be open for anyone to apply, including from within. The job is set to be posted in the near future, with applications being accepted through Nov. 1.  A target date of Jan. 1, 2017, was also set for a permanent finance director to be named.

Resumes and cover letters can be sent to the Ironton City Council search committee, P.O. Box 4252, Ironton, OH 45638.

For the time being, however, the finance committee decided to name Elam the interim finance director, and give him $5,000 more on his salary, or the equivalent of half of the difference between his current salary as the assistant and the salary of the finance director.

Currently, Elam makes $48,000.

Martin will still continue assisting with the city finance department, including going to Ironton City Council meetings, on an hourly basis, through the end of the year.