Tipp City school board aims to hire Versailles’ Moran as new superintendent

Versailles superintendent also was finalist for Tipp City job three years ago when board hired Stefanik

TIPP CITY — The Tipp City school board voted unanimously Tuesday night to offer a contract to Aaron Moran of Versailles to become the district’s next superintendent.

The vote was made after the board met in a closed executive session earlier in the evening to interview three candidates for the position now held by Mark Stefanik.

The board voted in January to non-renew the contract of Stefanik effective this summer. Stefanik has been superintendent since 2020.

Moran was the other finalist for the superintendent job three years ago when the board voted to hire Stefanik.

Moran has been the superintendent of Versailles Local Schools in Darke County since 2012. The Versailles district has roughly half the student population of the Tipp City district, and according to Ohio Department of Education data, shares some similarities in having comparatively high test scores and high family median income.

Moran was contacted for comment but had not responded by Wednesday afternoon.

The district received nine applications for the job, and chose to interview Moran, along with Spencerville schools Superintendent Cindy Endsley, and Jeremy Pequignot, superintendent of Franklin-Monroe schools.

The board also voted to have human resources director Lisa Tuttle-Huff work with Moran on a proposed contract.

All five board members were asked to comment on Moran’s selection.

“Mr. Moran leads by example and puts student needs at the center of every decision. He’s a highly respected leader with a proven track record,” said Tipp City school board member Theresa Dunaway. “His passion, moral compass, values and integrity are going to create a much-needed climate and culture that will truly stand for excellence. What an exciting time for our district and our community.”

Board member Rick Mains said he was impressed that Moran’s “decisions were always based on what he believes is best for the kids, the parent, the teachers and his community.”

Mains said he also was impressed by Moran’s work at Versailles, including a national high school ranking of 2,686 out of 17,843 schools and thinks that Moran would be a “very strong community leader.”

Board member Anne Zakkour deferred to board President Simon Patry, who declined comment, and member Amber Drum did not respond.

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