Four finalists will vie for Cuyahoga Falls schools superintendent job

Phil Keren, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Former Cuyahoga Falls City School District Superintendent Dr. Todd Nichols is pictured at a past board of education meeting. Nichols stepped down from his job at the end of 2021. There are now four finalists for the superintendent vacancy who will undergo a final round of interviews March 19.
Former Cuyahoga Falls City School District Superintendent Dr. Todd Nichols is pictured at a past board of education meeting. Nichols stepped down from his job at the end of 2021. There are now four finalists for the superintendent vacancy who will undergo a final round of interviews March 19.

The field for the superintendent's post in the Cuyahoga Falls City School District has been narrowed to four candidates who will go through a final round of interviews March 19.

Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education President Anthony Gomez said he anticipates the board will select the district's new leader on that same day.

The Board of Education last week interviewed eight of the 26 people who applied for the leadership role. Gomez said the four hopefuls who were selected for follow-up interviews are:

  • Andrea Celico, consultant to Cleveland Metropolitan School District and former superintendent of Bedford City Schools.

  • Luther Johnson, area superintendent, Columbus City Schools.

  • Brian Williams, assistant superintendent, Copley-Fairlawn Schools.

  • William "Matt" Young, assistant superintendent, Cuyahoga Heights Schools.

A final round of interviews with the board of education, Interim Superintendent Russell Chaboudy, Treasurer Kristy Stoicoiu, staff members, community members and parents will happen in an executive session March 19. At this meeting, Gomez said the finalists will rotate through four separate rooms and be interviewed by different groups in each room.

After these discussions, Gomez said staff members, community members and parents will share feedback with the Board of Education, which he anticipates will make its decision immediately. An announcement would happen that same day or shortly thereafter.

The Board of Education on Nov. 17 approved the resignation for purpose of retirement of Superintendent Todd Nichols, effective Dec. 31. It also signed off on a separation agreement with Nichols, who had served as the district's leader since 2011.

Chaboudy was hired in mid-December to serve as interim superintendent until July 31. Chaboudy is a 1974 graduate of Cuyahoga Falls High School who served as superintendent of Coventry Local Schools for more than a decade before retiring at the end of 2017.

Reporter Phil Keren can be reached at 330-541-9421, pkeren@thebeaconjournal.com, or on Twitter at @keren_phil.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Four finalists will vie for Cuyahoga Falls schools superintendent job