Springfield picks assistant school chief
7/17/2003Kathryn Hott, a 14-year employee of Springfield Local Schools, has been chosen as assistant superintendent of the district, replacing Bradley Rieger, who resigned to become superintendent of Sylvania Schools.
Mrs. Hott has been director of curriculum and personnel about four years. She will be paid $92,929 a year.
School officials are interviewing applicants for her prior position, but she said she would continue a role in the district's curriculum. She has pushed for basic elements of basic education and is credited with an important role in instituting strong reading programs.
One program she had a role in is stocking school buses with books children can read to fill the time to and from school. The bus drivers act as librarians overseeing the books and who is using them.
She has also encouraged a program known as “Books for Breakfast,'' morning programs for kindergartners and their parents. The sessions include reading and tips to parents about how to make the reading an educational experience.
Ms. Hott, 45, began her career in the district as Holland Elementary principal; the vice principal was Dr. Rieger. She said their career paths have crossed often at Springfield and they have a good working relationship. She said theywould continue to discuss issues even though they will be in different districts.
She credits Dr. Rieger for improving the collegial atmosphere among all staff members at Springfield and said she hopes to continue it.
She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Toledo and last year obtained superintendent's certification from the state.