By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to hire Dr. Ted Haselman as the next superintendent for Bowling Green City Schools.
Ted Haselman likes challenges and the school board is entrusting him to take on several when he takes over on Aug 1.
Haselman was selected from 17 candidates to fill the seat of retiring superintendent Francis Scruci. Board President Ryan Myers began the meeting by thanking those who helped with the hiring process, and by clearing up rumors that have already taken root on social media.
“I want to thank so many people for contributing to this process,” including the community, city leaders and school employees who met with the three finalist candidates then submitted their comments to the board.
“I want you to know every board member read every word on every feedback form,” Myers said.
Next Myers addressed criticisms that the board has been less than transparent about the hiring process. He talked about the multiple executive sessions when the board tried to reach a clear consensus. Out of professional courtesy, Myers reached out last week to one of the three, Kim Brueck, to tell her she was out of the running. Earlier this week, another of the three finalists, Bruce Otley was offered and accepted the superintendent position at his current district of Liberty Benton.
But Myers stressed that Haselman came out on top during the interviews, references, feedback forms and forums throughout the city.
“Ted Haselman is the first choice,” Myers said.
Haselman, the current superintendent at Pike-Delta-York Schools, previously taught computer classes in Perrysburg for 13 years, then served as principal at Swanton Middle School for five years.
When reached by phone after the board vote, Haselman said he is looking forward to joining the district.
“I want to build relationships in the community and the schools. I want to immerse myself in the community.”
Among his first tasks will be learning about the school district. “I will watch and learn, and get ready for the next phase.”
Haselman is not intimidated by the turmoil in the school district.
“Anytime there’s a transition, there are challenges,” he said.
His primary goal is “to make Bowling Green a destination school district.” To do that, he plans to build bridges in the community and school district.
“I’m extremely excited to be a Bowling Green Bobcat, to work for the students, the community of Bowling Green, and the staff of Bowling Green City Schools,” he said.
The board action is contingent upon reaching an agreement on the terms of the contract, which Myers hopes is completed by the next board meeting on Tuesday evening.
Board Vice President Tracy Hovest said Haselman is the person “who can help lead the district forward. We have lost sleep over the weight this decision holds.”
Hovest talked about the “thorough, transparent and honest” process used to find the best of the candidates who applied for the job.
“He is not the default. He is our choice,” she said.
“He recognizes the wonderful things we are doing,” Hovest added. “He wants what we all want – a better BGCS and a better BG.”
Haselman has high expectations of himself, of staff and students, Hovest said, asking that the staff and community welcome him “as we tackle all that is ahead of us.”
Board member Ginny Stewart, who talked about the comprehensive hiring process, said she was convinced Haselman was the person for the job as she watched his interaction with staff and students during a tour of Kenwood Elementary School.
And board member Jill Carr said she was “exceedingly pleased” with Haselman, and his genuine desire to be the district’s next superintendent.
Board member Norm Geer said he liked Haselman’s educational philosophy, his personality and his passion. Geer talked about Haselman’s plan to find a house and move with his family into Bowling Green, to buy some Bobcat swag, and to spend the rest of his professional life in Bowling Green.
Haselman will be present at next week’s board meeting, and Myers said a “meet and greet” will be held after the meeting.
Haselman had been offered another five-year contract at Pike-Delta-York, but believes he can bring the same success to Bowling Green that was achieved at his current post.
“I’m looking for a professional challenge,” he said.
During a recent forum with the community, Haselman said he was first hired at Pike-Delta-York, when the district was in poor financial shape and suffered from lack of community trust.
“I can tell you eight years later it’s completely different.”
District voters have passed a levy for new money, and the divisions have been healed.
“The community is the school and the school is the community,” he said.
That change was achieved by listening and asking questions. “Then you have to do what you say.”
Following are more comments by Haselman at that community forum.
His leadership style involves visibility – in the school buildings and in the community. “I want to be extremely visible.”
Communication plays a big role – sharing the good news about the district.
“Sharing the positives of what our district does,” he said. “If we don’t share that information with the community, that space will be filled with other conversations.”
Haselman also teaches school finance and resources as an adjunct at University of Findlay. “I know school finance very, very well.”
When asked about the balance between income taxes and property taxes, Haselman said it’s ideal to use both, “so everyone is paying their fair share for schools.”
Transparency is vital, he said when one community member accused the BG district of not sharing details of its finances.
“Nobody likes paying more money,” he said. “Ultimately we’re asking our constituents to pay additional funds.”
Haselman said in his experience, some people will vote in favor of any school levy, and others will vote against them all. The key is to reach the people who have open minds.
When asked to share a curriculum challenge he has handled, Haselman said Pike-York-Delta created a two-year kindergarten program when it realized that many of its kindergartners were starting school unprepared. That has made a huge difference, he said.
When asked how his district handled COVID, Haselman said students came back to the classroom in August of 2020. “They knew the importance of kids being in school,” he said of teachers.
As for drug testing, Haselman said Swanton tests students for drugs, but Pike does not. The testing “gave kids an out,” for not partaking with friends, he said. Bowling Green is one of the few districts in the area that does not perform drug testing.
Haselman touched on the effort at the state level to support private over public education. “We feel it everyday.”
He addressed the disconnect between state rules and making students feel welcome and supporting teachers as they face new curriculum restrictions.
“You have to create a culture of acceptance, no matter what the legislature says.”
As for the working relationship between a superintendent, faculty, staff and the board, Haselman said there must be “a relationship of respect. We’re in this together.”
When asked how long he would commit to the BG school district, Haselman said he has nine years till retirement.
“I will be here for the long haul to take these challenges on,” he said. “I’ve done my research. I’ll take these challenges head on. This is not going to be a quick turnaround – but it can be done.”
