Marion City Schools board approves Steve Mazzi to serve as interim superintendent

Sophia Veneziano, Marion Star
·2 min read

The Marion City Schools Board of Education approved Steve Mazzi to serve as the district's interim superintendent starting Aug. 1 at its meeting Monday.

This follows the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Ron Iarussi which is to be effective July 31 after four years spent leading the district.

Mazzi is stepping in as the interim superintendent from the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, Board President Kelly Mackay said, and his service as interim is currently scheduled to end in December.

Steve Mazzi was approved by the Marion City Schools board Monday to step in as interim superintendent following the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Ron Iarussi.
Steve Mazzi was approved by the Marion City Schools board Monday to step in as interim superintendent following the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Ron Iarussi.

Formerly the superintendent at Big Walnut and most recently the director of human resources in Westerville among other educational leadership roles, Mazzi is also a retired Chief Master Sargent from the Air National Guard with over 20 years spent in military service.

"The things that I deal with on a day-to-day basis are not unique to what I've experienced before in my previous positions," he said in the Monday meeting.

Mazzi introduced himself to the Marion community Monday at the beginning of the board meeting Monday, explaining he is ready to fill the gap and step in to lead.

"It's just the opportunity to be here and do what I can for the students, staff and community of the Marion City Schools and try to get things kicked off this year and do the best job we can for our kids, so I appreciate it," Mazzi said.

He joined the district on May 9 as the interim assistant superintendent after the resignation of former Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Lawson in early May. He then stepped up to fill the leadership void upon the resignation of Iarussi.

In the Monday meeting, Mazzi also said he is planning to continue the efforts to focus on discipline and student behaviors, noting that teachers can't teach and students can't learn when there are behavioral disruptions in the classrooms.

Marion City Schools Interim Superintendent Steve Mazzi (far right) was in attendance of the Monday board of education meeting where he introduced himself to the Marion community.
Marion City Schools Interim Superintendent Steve Mazzi (far right) was in attendance of the Monday board of education meeting where he introduced himself to the Marion community.

The district has hired former Columbus City Schools Principal Olympia Della Flora as the next assistant superintendent. According to Mackay, she is experienced with addressing behavioral issues and setting up de-escalation rooms, an initiative the district has prioritized in implementing throughout the elementary buildings after teachers have publicly accounted abuse from their students at the district's monthly board meetings.

Superintendent search begins

This week and next, the board is hosting presentations from three superintendent search firms in order to select one to help with hiring the next official superintendent.

The first presentation with a firm, Finding Leaders, took place publicly after the Monday meeting. Thursday the Ohio School Boards Association will present to the board at 7 p.m. Next week, K-12 Consulting will give its presentation at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The community is invited to each of the remaining presentations which are both to be held in the Harding High School Community Room.

Story by: Sophia Veneziano (740) 564 - 5243 | sveneziano@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Steve Mazzi to serve as interim Marion City Schools superintendent