Dykeman departs position as East Providence Schools Finance Director

EAST PROVIDENCE — The East Providence School District is in need of a new finance director after Linda Dykeman submitted her resignation effective upon two-weeks notice.

The job opening is posted at the education employment website schoolspring.com. The posting is dated March 10, 2016. The Post has learned Mrs. Dykeman will relinquish her duties as of March 24.

Mrs. Dykeman's decision was stunning in its timing. The School Committee only recently gave her a new three-year contract and also deconsolidated her position from the overall city Finance Department. Mrs. Dykeman was hired as the consolidated Deputy Finance Director three years ago. Though then part of the overall department, she worked closely with former Schools Superintendent Kim Mercer and upon the recent change was working immediately under the auspices of new Superintendent Kathryn Crowley.

"Linda handed in her resignation last week. She said she loved working here, but wanted to move away from municipal government. She hasn't made her reason public, but I believe she is returning to the private sector," Mrs. Crowley said. "She's a done a great job for district. She's very knowledgeable. We're going to miss her."

The superintendent said the search for Mrs. Dykeman's replacement commenced immediately. Besides School Spring, the job is posted at monster.com and in the Providence Journal classifieds among other employment sites.

"It's vital we get someone who is qualified. It's vital that we get someone who is qualified and who has experience working in schools," Mrs. Crowley added. "We need someone who is familiar UCOA (Uniform Chart of Accounts), who knows school budgets, someone who can take off running. But it's not easy because they need to be approved by the (Rhode Island) Department of Education and it also helps if they are a CPA (certified public accountant."