Marblehead closes the books on search for business administrator

MARBLEHEAD – Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac has named a Marblehead High graduate as the town’s new school business manager.Jonathan Goldfield graduated in 1977, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Hartford and has a master’s from Suffolk University and a law degree from the Massachusetts School of Law.A Haverhill resident, he spent six years as director of administration and finance in the Medford school department and a year as director of finance and operations in Georgetown.He also maintains a law office in Haverhill.Goldfield was hired for $98,000 a year. He will take the place of David Keniston, a Tewksbury resident who left Marblehead to become school business manager in Andover June 30. Consultant Gene Case served as interim school business manager until Goldfield began his tenure in late July.Goldfield, who will oversee the funding of two building projects as well as the Fiscal 2009 budget, is still working on an assignment that Keniston oversaw: closing the books on Fiscal 2008.In June, Keniston predicted a year-end deficit of $13,579, but said recently-filed legal bills could add another $11,000 to that.Dulac said he expects a final resolution of last year’s budget sometime in the next week and grants may help the schools to close that deficit.Introducing Goldfield to the School Committee last week, Dulac said the new business manager brings an organizational structure to school finances."He is really adept at using a computer," Dulac said. He wants us to be efficient, to handle purchases once instead of three times. And he knows Marblehead.""I’m thrilled to be back," Goldfield said.The superintendent noted that Goldfield had already established computer modules for purchasing and the budget, and another module for employees and personnel was on the way."He wants to run the budget like a checkbook," Dulac said, promising simplified budget reports for committee meetings this year.