Perrysburg hires superintendent from district in southern Ohio

10/26/2001

The Perrysburg school board voted 4-0 last night to hire Dr. Michael L. Cline as its superintendent through July 31, 2005, for an annual salary of $110,000.

Dr. Cline, superintendent of Loveland, Ohio, City Schools near Cincinnati, will begin his job on Jan. 1.

Dr. Louis Weinstein, the board's president, did not attend last night's special board meeting because he was out of town on business. Other board members said he supports the decision to hire Dr. Cline.

Dr. Cline, 50, introduced himself to about 25 community members who attended the meeting.

“There's so much for me to learn about the school system,” he said. “I'm looking forward to getting to know people.”

Board members had high praise for Dr. Cline, who was selected from 28 applicants for the superintendent position.

“Not only is he coming from a successful district where student achievement is important, but also what stood out for me is that he's made an effort to involve the community,” board member Walter Edinger said.

“He's willing to listen to other people's opinions. We need someone who will listen,” board member Susan Williams said.

Dr. Cline has a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Ohio State University, a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from La Vern College, and a master's degree in education and administration from Bowling Green State University. He earned a doctorate in education administration from Nova Southeastern University in 1991.

He has served as superintendent of Loveland City Schools since 1997 and was previously superintendent of two other school districts in Ohio .

Dr. Cline, who is married and has two adult children, said he was attracted to Perrysburg because of its proximity to extended family members and its excellent reputation.

He said he will make “frequent contact” over the next two months with Robert Pfefferle, the interim superintendent, in order to ease the transition into his new position.

Former Perrysburg superintendent Sharon Zimmers left the district to become superintendent of public schools in Dublin, Ohio.