HIGHLANDTOWN - An area resident has been selected by the Southern Local Board of Education as the district's new superintendent, and he will assume those duties on an interim basis in April.
Southern graduate and former assistant Principal John S. Wilson was named at this week's school board meeting by a unanimous vote, replacing James Herring who left last August to assume the superintendent's post in East Liverpool School District.
Wilson is currently the high school principal in the Sandy Valley Local School District in Magnolia which was ranked among the most efficient schools in Ohio in 2011 as part of a 9-month study by Ohio Education Matters.
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John S. Wilson
Wilson previously served at Southern as assistant high school principal in 2008-2009 and left to take the job at Sandy Valley. He has since attained his superintendent's certificate, according to Treasurer Doreen Marshall.
A Summitville resident, Wilson and his wife, Stephanie, have two children, Angelo and Sophia.
He said he "absolutely" wants to incorporate at Southern some of the cost savings and curriculum that have been successful at Sandy Valley, saying he wants to "offer kids things outside the four walls and get our kids ready for the 21st century."
Wilson said, "I'm excited to be back as an Indian."
The board approved Wilson as interim superintendent beginning the week of April 9 at a salary of $312.50 per day, and Marshall said he is expected to be in the district a couple days each week with Sandy Valley agreeing to the arrangement.
He will begin his five-year contract as superintendent on Aug. 1 with an annual salary of $75,000.
Since Herring's departure, the district has been served by interim Superintendent Lou Ramunno.
In other action at this week's meeting, the board joined other districts in seeking a waiver from compliance with state law requiring all students at certain grade levels to be screened for body mass index and weight status prior to the first day of May each school year.
Also approved by the board were:
- First reading of several policies pertaining to administration, professional staff, property, operations, students and finances
- Three student field trips
- A recommendation to seek bids for insurance
- A pregnancy/parental leave for Amanda Wrobleski.
