The Ashtabula Area City School District is seeking a highly qualified educational leader for the position of superintendent. The superintendent selected will succeed William Licate, who is retiring after serving the district for over 35 years, the last twelve as superintendent. The Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) consultant Kathy LaSota will be assisting the board with the search.

About the community

The Ashtabula area is a dynamic mix of offerings: Lake Erie recreation, a shopping mall, covered bridges, wineries, nature trails, restaurants, a hospital associated with the Cleveland Clinic, community theatre, museums and orchestra.

Walnut Beach Park and Lake Shore Park offer clean, sandy beaches for water sports enthusiasts and sun-worshippers. Ashtabula Harbor is filled with recreational boats for those inclined toward sailing, fishing, water skiing or just cruising. The historic harbor district includes restaurants, antique shops, and authentic atmosphere. Just outside of town, Ashtabula County wineries produce nationally-recognized varietals, with most offering food and weekend entertainment as well. The Western Reserve Greenway, a paved bicycle path located along a former railroad route, stretches from the city of Ashtabula to the county line 27 scenic miles to the south.

The Ashtabula Arts Center, in addition to offering courses in visual and performing arts, has an active yearly schedule of community theatrical productions and concerts. For those interested in history, there are the Hubbard House Underground Railroad Museum, and the Great Lakes Marine and Coast Guard Museum. Kent State University’s Ashtabula branch includes course offering leading to associate degrees in a number of fields, or two years of credit toward a bachelor’s degree.

Ashtabula is a convenient one-hour drive to Cleveland, Ohio on the west and a 45-minute drive to Erie, Pennsylvania on the east.

About the district

The Ashtabula Area City School District is located in Ashtabula county, the most northeastern county of Ohio, and has an enrollment of 4335 students from the city of Ashtabula and the townships of Ashtabula, Plymouth and Saybrook.

Passage of a bond issue in 2002 has the district constructing a new Lakeside High School Building and sports complex, which will open
in August. The former high school building has been converted to the new consolidated Lakeside Junior High School.

With the support of the Ohio School Facilities Commission and the passage of a maintenance levy this past November, the District will be constructing a new junior high school and five new elementary school buildings. The new junior high will share the same site as the new Lakeside High School in Saybrook Township, while the elementary buildings are planned as grade-level configured schools on a central site in the City of Ashtabula.

The staff of the Ashtabula Area City Schools District is diligently working to improve the teaching and learning process. Many steps are being taken to raise test scores, including:

• The elementary grades have moved from the standard report cards to Progress Reports, which are directly tied to the state standards.
• Pacing guides have been developed for the elementary grades. When a student in our district changes buildings, his receiving classroom should be studying the same topic at or around the time of the move.

It is the belief of the Ashtabula Area City Schools that the welfare and progress of each student undergirds and defines the total thrust of all educational activities. The basic intent is to direct staff and program toward the optimum development of each student. The educational program offers opportunities for each student to nurture personal capabilities to the fullest, to recognize individual needs, to achieve their optimum level and to become a contributing citizen by accepting responsibility to self and others. The total educational program requires cooperation and communication among school, home and community.

Every parent/guardian plays an important role in their child's education K-12. They are encouraged to take an active role in the schools. Involvement is enhanced through membership in PTO's and music/sports/academic support groups.

Leadership criteria

The Ashtabula Area City Schools Board of Education invites applicants who have educational leadership experience and a dedication to excellence in all areas of school operations. The new superintendent must:

• Have demonstrated success in improving academic achievement and closing the achievement gap with a commitment to high standards and increasing accountability for improving results at all levels.
• Be an articulate, straightforward communicator with strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work tactfully, creatively with board members, administrators, staff, students, parents, community, and state elected officials.
• Be a visionary with excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills to maintain a strategic direction and produce short and long range plans for ongoing improvement.
• Be a sound fiscal manager who effectively balances legal, judicial, and financial requirements of the district with the needs of the students and the desires of the community.
• Be a knowledgeable and experienced manager of high moral character who is able to set clear expectations, delegate and motivate others with integrity and honesty.
• Be visible and accessible to students and staff. Have a willingness to become an active and contributing member of the community.
• Be sensitive to diversity issues and have the ability to work well with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Be a strong spokesperson and champion for the district, publicly celebrating and marketing the successes of the school system.
• Be a chief executive who will keep the board fully informed and current with matters about the schools. One who will forge a strong partnership based on mutual trust and respect.
• Be a decisive, child-centered educational leader with a comprehensive view of education, a working knowledge of curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to the development of all children.

District financial information

Total valuation                     $475,191,090

Mills
    Inside                                                 4.20
    Outside (voted)                              36.10
    Outside (effective)                         17.01
    Bond (effective)                                7.45
    Permanent improvement                4.25

Appropriations
    General fund                     $32,778,831
    Total — all funds               $73,218,300

Expenditure per pupil                    $8,546

Receipts             General funds             All funds
    Local taxes                 32.85%              31.90%
    Local other                    3.75%                7.90%
    State                             63.40%              51.50%
    Federal                                0%                 8.70%

Enrollment                                        4,335

Number of employees
    Certificated                                      341
    Non-certificated                              230
    Administrators                                  27

Average teacher salary            $47,695
Bachelor’s degree                           44%
Master’s degree                               56%
Average years of experience           16
Bond rating                                        Aaa

Compensation and terms of employment

The board will provide a competitive compensation package. A multiyear contract with provisions for annual review and evaluation will be offered. The actual salary and fringe benefits will be commensurate with the education and experience of the candidate.

Board of education

Roland J. Valentic, president                           3 years
Michael Franklin, vice pres.                  newly elected
Steve J. Candela                                                3 years
David Sheldon                                        newly elected
Janine Trebuchon-Wertz                      newly elected

Tentative timetable

Announce vacancy                                    January 22
Application deadline                                February 27
Interviews begin                                                     TBD
Action to employ by                                               TBD
Employment begins                                               TBD