Unsatisfied with superintendent candidates, Lakota schools board slows search process
Lakota Local Schools' Board of Education isn't satisfied with any of its superintendent finalists − at least not enough to hire one of them on full-time.
"This is a very important decision, and we want to ensure that we are selecting the right person to lead Lakota," Board President Lynda O'Connor wrote in a Monday message to district families and staff.
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The board has "decided to slow down the process," O'Connor wrote, and start looking now for an interim superintendent instead. This decision was made after reviewing community feedback about the superintendent candidates.
How did we get here?
The board began looking for its next superintendent early this year after former district leader Matt Miller resigned in January. He said he left because of a "hostile work environment" created by board member Darbi Boddy, who was outspoken in her disdain for Miller.
"Our schools and our children have been under assault from the radical political left," Boddy said wrote in a statement when Miller resigned. "They dominate every institution involved in education today."
Assistant Superintendent Robb Vogelmann took over in the interim but announced in April that he wouldn't be interested in the full-time superintendent gig.
"We greatly appreciate Mr. Vogelmann’s willingness to have filled this role since February," O'Connor wrote in her most recent update to the community. "We want to respect his request to return to his assistant superintendent position and find our next interim before the new school year begins."
In June, the school board announced four superintendent finalists:
Michael Acomb, director of business & personnel and chief operating officer at Solon City Schools.
Todd Petrey, chief operations officer at Mason City Schools.
Jason Spencer, director of school leadership at Cincinnati Public Schools.
Ashley Whitely, assistant superintendent at Wyoming City Schools.
Petrey pulled out of the running shortly after he was announced as a finalist, according to an email obtained by The Enquirer through a public records request. But Whitely, Spencer and Acomb met with community members last week for Q&A sessions.
What did the finalists talk about with the Lakota community?
There were about 50 attendees at the Q&A and meet and greet. The three finalists discussed their backgrounds and shared ideas on how to boost teacher retention, foster community trust, address growing class sizes and provide life skills instruction to students.
Spencer told parents that as superintendent he would be intentional about visiting every school building in the district once a month. There are 23 schools in Lakota.
"Lakota's not getting smaller. It's growing and that's exciting," Spencer said. He said the growing population means the district will have to expand soon.
Whitely, who used to teach English at Lakota East High School, said that she'd provide "a steady drip of positive" news that highlights student accomplishments and work to combat the national teacher shortage by networking to bring more teachers to the district. She also said Lakota's staff "needs to mirror our student demographics."
"When you do what is right for students, nine times out of 10 you're doing what is right for staff," she said.
Acomb described himself as "a family guy" and said he sees a lot of potential for growth at Lakota in terms of academic achievement.
"We can't allow the adult issues to filter in to impact the kids," Acomb said.
Board to discuss next steps
The school board will appoint an interim superintendent soon − hopefully before the start of the school year, O'Connor wrote − and will determine the next steps in its superintendent search process this week.
"Thank you for your patience as we continue to search for the best person to lead Lakota. Our students, staff, families and community deserve nothing less," O'Connor wrote.
The next regularly scheduled Lakota school board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. July 17 at the Lakota East Freshman Campus, located at 7630 Bethany Lane in Liberty Township.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lakota Local Schools slows superintendent search
