Northview principal gets 2-year contract

3/23/2010

The Sylvania Board of Education Monday night renewed the employment contract of Northview High School principal Stewart Jesse, although for one year less than a dozen other district administrators whose contracts also were renewed.

Mr. Jesse, who has been Northview's principal since 2006, received a two-year contract. His future at Northview had been called into question last month by several parents who said they had heard, from sources they would not disclose, that school officials were contemplating a non-renewal after the current school year ended.

By a 4-0 vote, with member Dave Spiess absent, the school board accepted all of the contract recommendations without discussion.

Terry Rentner, mother of a Northview ninth grader who sparked debate on Mr. Jesse's renewal by submitting a letter urging his renewal to a community newspaper, thanked the school board and its top administrators "for looking further into this issue and making this recommendation."

Superintendent Bradley Rieger said afterward he recommended a two-year extension for Mr. Jesse instead of the three years granted other administrators "as an acknowledgment that there are some areas he needs to work on," including "school cohesiveness," staff professional development, and community relations.

"Stew does a wonderful job. He cares deeply about all the students," Mr. Rieger said. "He is especially compassionate toward those who come from difficult situations."