NEW CONCORD — School officials expressed appreciation to the current superintendent and began discussions about an interim superintendent during the meeting Thursday of the East Muskingum Local Board of Education.
The board convened in executive session near the end of the meeting last night.
However, it took no action in regard to naming an interim superintendent.
The board will schedule a work session to continue discussions and a special meeting in the coming days.
The current superintendent, James Heagen, will begin his new position with the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System on June 1.
Board President Ken Blood praised Heagen.
“How proud we are of Jim,” Blood said, “first as our assistant superintendent and then as our superintendent.
“Certainly, it is not our wish that he be leaving. We would rather he were staying with us for a long time.
“That’s not the reality. So, it’s our job to wish him well “We know that he will succeed [in his new position] because that is the kind of person he is. The qualities and talents he brought to his position with us will travel with him to his next position as well.”
Board Member Gail Requardt told the audience that the board members have worked well with Heagen and all of the administrative team.
“We all get along well in this district,” said Requardt, speaking to Heagen. “We certainly have enjoyed your leadership.”
She reminded the audience that Heagen’s children still are in school in the community and that the family will continue to live in the community for the near future.
“We don’t intend to sever ties,” she said. “That’s for sure.”
Although Heagen will soon yield the helm of the district, the ship will continue to sail on a sea of excellence, Blood suggested.
“Despite there being changes,” he said, “an awful lot will stay the same.
“This district for decades has been built upon excellence.”
Emblematic of the district’s excellence is the low turnover in superintendents.
“In the last 40 years,” Blood said, “this district has only had four superintendents.”
Among other action, the board:
• Recognized the achievements of John Glenn High School student, Tia Nicholson. Ms. Nicholson was named the 2010 Phoenix Outstanding Citizen by the Rotary Club of Zanesville. The award is presented to one student in each district who has exhibited the most character in the face of adversity. Despite being orphaned at an early age, she rose above adversity to become a role model for other students. A band member and an athlete in track and field, Nicholson’s plans include attending Zane State College to study graphic design.
• Heard from educator Rusty Roberts concerning the CARES program. CARES is an acronym for “Communities Actively Researching Exposure Study.”
Basically, the idea of the program is to study the effects of air pollution on the health and learning ability in various locales, including Guernsey County.
(Part of the East Muskingum Local School District extends into Guernsey County.)
jlowe@daily-jeff.com
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