Toledo Public Schools pares down list of finalists for superintendent job
3/27/2013The Toledo Board of Education pared by two today its list of candidates for interim superintendent of Toledo Public Schools, selecting three finalists.
After a closed session, the board voted unanimously to schedule interviews with TPS Assistant Superintendent Romules Durant, Oregon City Schools Superintendent Michael Zalar, and Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools Superintendent Douglas Heuer. Not selected were Xenia Community Schools Superintendent Deborah Piotrowski and Catherine Smith, a former TPS teacher and administrator.
Board President Brenda Hill said TPS Treasurer Matt Cleland will schedule interviews for the three candidates in coming days, most likely on either Tuesday or April 4. The board had no discussion in public about the candidates, and offered little reasoning about why the three finalists were selected.
"We picked three people who we thought would fit in Toledo best," Ms. Hill said.
The trio are bidding to replace departing TPS Superintendent Jerome Pecko, whose contract expires July 31. Mr. Pecko announced at a special board meeting earlier this year that he would not accept a new contract after his three-year term runs out July 31. He had said before that board meeting that he wanted to stay with the district, but only if he had board support.
While the board, for now, is only hiring an interim superintendent, whoever is selected could be made permanent if that person is successful, Ms. Hill has said.
Contact Nolan Rosenkrans at: nrosenkrans@theblade.com or 419-724-6086, or on Twitter @NolanRosenkrans.