Millcreek to hire internal candidate to replace Ian Roberts as schools superintendent

The Millcreek Township School Board will vote Monday to hire John Cavanagh as the district's next schools superintendent.

Cavanagh is Millcreek's director of K-12 education and previously was the district's director of secondary education and principal of J.S. Wilson Middle School and McDowell Intermediate High School. He has worked in the district since 1999, when he was hired as a ninth-grade social studies teacher.

"We're excited about the passion and excitement as well as the institutional knowledge that Dr. Cavanagh brings to the job," School Board President Gary Winschel said. "We look forward to the Millcreek Township School District's next chapter."

Cavanagh is a graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, New York, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history. He earned a master's degree in curriculum and instruction and a doctoral degree in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University.

Cavanagh and his wife, Kim, are the parents of two sons who graduated from McDowell High School.

Cavanagh will replace Ian Roberts, who resigned effective June 30 to accept a job as superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools in Iowa.

Millcreek superintendent hired in Iowa: Ian Roberts to lead Des Moines Public Schools

Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit 5 led the search for Roberts' successor.

"I thank IU5 and our search committee for their work," Winschel said. "We're grateful to have a well-qualified candidate sooner than expected."

Cavanagh will begin his new duties immediately after his hiring, Winschel said.

Monday night's special School Board meeting will be held at the Millcreek Education Center, at 3740 W. 26th St., at 6 p.m. A meet-and-greet reception with Cavanagh will follow.

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Internal candidate will be new Millcreek schools superintendent