By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Three finalists have been selected to fill the superintendent seat at Bowling Green City Schools. Next week community members will have an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates.
The school board started with 17 candidates applying for the position which will be vacated when Superintendent Francis Scruci retires this summer. Earlier this month, the board narrowed the field to seven. And after interviews this week, the field was further narrowed to three.
The three making the cut are:
- Kim Brueck, director of human resources and student services at Green Local Schools, near Akron, enrollment 4,048.
- Ted Haselman, superintendent at Pike-Delta-York Local Schools, in Fulton County, enrollment 1,134.
- Bruce Otley, operations Director, Liberty-Benton Local Schools, near Findlay, enrollment 1,497.
The superintendent search is being aided by Cheryl Ryan, director of board and management services with the Ohio School Boards Association.
“This is a very talented slate of candidates,” Ryan said Friday morning. “All three finalists are excited about the opportunity.”
A decision is expected to be made by the board during the first week of May.
“The process is moving along very quickly,” Ryan said.
Next week, the three superintendent candidates will meet with the community, city leaders and school groups. They will also tour the district facilities with board members, Ryan said.
On Wednesday, April 26, community members will have an opportunity to join in question and answer sessions with the candidates. Each of the three will be given 45 minutes to meet with community members in the Veterans Building in Bowling Green City Park.
The first candidate will meet the community and answer questions from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The second will do the same from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., and the third from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.
On Thursday, the three superintendent candidates will meet with various groups, including city leaders, teachers, school directors and administrators.
The school board will hold special meetings Thursday at 8:40 a.m. and 3:10 p.m., at the Wood County District Public Library, and at 4:55 p.m. at the Bowling Green Middle School. Board members will immediately go into executive session at each of those times to consider the employment of a public employee.
During public meetings last month with various stakeholders in the community, Ryan collected input on the qualities most sought in a new superintendent. She met with parents, civic and community leaders, business officials, school staff and citizens.
At the top of the wish list were the abilities to be a healer, communicator, collaborator and someone the community trusts. Citizens want a problem solver who puts education first, supports teachers and staff, and is open to criticism
Ryan also identified the challenges that a new superintendent will face coming to Bowling Green. Among those are the old school buildings, lack of unity, multiple levy failures which has resulted in low staff morale, and loss of trust in the community.
