Board President Denise Moore said Thursday that the board accepted Olverson’s resignation during its Thursday night work session meeting. Olverson submitted his resignation Wednesday, but Moore did not state the reason why and Olverson did not respond to requests for comment.
Olverson took over as interim superintendent in April 2018 while the district was under threat of state takeover. Trotwood avoided that fate by improving scores on state tests taken in spring 2018, just before Olverson arrived.
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Olverson, who was offered the job permanently in December, launched a significant turnaround plan that summer, reassigning principals and other district leaders, trying to boost outreach to families and build community pride.
The teachers union argued that Olverson removed some staff support systems, mismanaged special education services and didn’t listen to concerns from staff. In December, they urged the school board not to extend his contract, but the board disagreed, giving Olverson an extension through summer of 2021.
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Marlon Howard, who has been the district’s director of operations, has been appointed as acting superintendent, Moore said.
Now, the board will look for someone to lead the district forward for the long term. The school year begins for staff next week, and for students on Aug. 12.
“We are happy that (Howard) is willing to serve in this capacity and will give him our full cooperation as school starts and we continue to deal with many difficult issues, not the least of which is the aftermath of the tornado on Memorial Day weekend,” Moore said. “Know that if we all work together, we can make the difference for the young people of Trotwood.”
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