For the first time in more than a decade, the Nordonia Hills Board of Education is in search of a new superintendent.
On August 4 Nordonia Superintendent Dr. Joe Clark was named top candidate for superintendent of the Columbus-area Westerville City School District.
Clark will take over as Westerville superintendent on October 1, according to Nordonia Board of Education President Chad Lahrmer.
Lahrmer does not foresee Clark’s impending departure causing any issues with the district as buildings and teachers prepare for the first day of class.
“I don’t expect any major problems now that he is leaving,” Lahrmer said. “Our administrative staff has been around for a while and will get their jobs done.”
Lahrmer expressed mixed feelings about Clark’s October departure.
“Although I am very sad to see him go, I am very excited for the opportunity he is being given by Westerville Schools,” Lahrmer said. “Dr. Clark has been a part of the Nordonia community for 14 years with 12 of those years as our superintendent.”
Lahrmer called Clark “an individual who truly cares about the Nordonia Hills students, teachers, staff, and community.”
Clark described the Westerville position as a “fabulous offer.”
“Westerville provides great challenges and growth opportunities for me professionally,” Clark said. “It is the 12th largest district in the state of Ohio with nearly 15,000 students and three high schools.”
Clark said while working in the Nordonia system he was “blessed to work with the best staff, students, parents, school board, and community anywhere.”
“I am proud to have served them for 14 years and to have been the longest-serving superintendent in Nordonia’s history,” Clark added. “The district has made incredible progress in many areas and will be a 5-star district again this year.”
Clark added that “he hopes the community realizes that their children and staff deserve better facilities and find a way to get those constructed soon.”
Clark’s Nordonia base salary was $154,000 per year. And while his contract with Westerville has not been finalized as of yet, the job posting listed a base salary in the $250,000 range, depending on experience and qualifications, he said.
Clark finished in the the top 3 out of 19 applicants, according to Westerville Board of Education President Tracy Davidson.
“At the outset of the search process, we asked our staff and community to identify the qualities and characteristics they would like to see in the next superintendent,” Davidson said. “From the feedback received we developed a Leadership Profile that helped guide our interviews and inform our selection.”
Davidson described Clark as “the person we believe reflects the qualities and characteristics identified as our next leader, as well as someone who can build upon the great work already occurring in our district.”
Clark still must pass Westerville’s background check and the board must negotiate and pass a contract for Clark, she added.
