7/15/08

Columbus Dispatch

Catherine Candisky

Wanted: A visionary leader and strong communicator who gets Ohio and can rally diverse groups around a yet-to-be-determined plan for improving public schools.

Interested?

The slow-moving process to replace outgoing state schools superintendent Susan T. Zelman is pushing forward after more than 50 education leaders and interested parties have weighed in what they are looking for.

Gary L. Hudepohl of the Worthington-based search firm Hudepohl & Associates will share with the Ohio Board of Education this morning the results of his interviews over the past three weeks with Gov. Ted Strickland, legislative leaders, board members and education officials.

The profile that emerges will be used to recruit potential candidates for the job.

“This is our top priority,” said board President Jennifer Sheets of Pomeroy. “We need someone who is a good manager with an education background who understands Ohio, not necessarily from Ohio … someone who is a visionary with communication skills and the ability to bring people together and keep us moving forward.”

The board hopes to have Zelman’s replacement hired by the end of the summer. Zelman was the highest-paid department chief in the Strickland administration, earning $217,838 a year; there is no pay range set for her replacement.

“We’ll have to see what kind of candidates the job attracts,” Sheets said.

Zelman announced her resignation in May.

In his meeting with Hudepohl, the governor “indicated the ideal candidate would be a visionary leader who understands Ohio well and who has a strong sense of purpose, but can work collaboratively with others, and an individual who will be strong,” said Strickland spokesman Keith Dailey.

While the governor, Sheets and others have indicated that someone from Ohio would be ideal, none is suggesting the search be limited. Strickland also recently dismissed reports that he was interested in having a minority candidate fill the post.

Jerry Klenke, executive director of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, said the next superintendent should have experience running an educational organization, and an Ohio background would be helpful.

“Certainly someone who is willing to talk about the fact that good things are going on in education, but we still need to change because of the changing times and global competition.”

Richard C. Lewis, executive director of the Ohio School Boards Association, said he’s heard talk of finding a “nontraditional candidate,” but he thinks administrative experience is key.

“As far as their skills — courage in their convictions and someone who can work with the governor. That’s very clear. But at the same time, this person will have to be someone who is willing to do what’s right for education and maybe even stand up to the board, legislators and even the governor.”