Staff members presented Sommers and his wife, Denise, with Ohio State Buckeye shirts as parting gifts.
“As you go to Michigan, remember where you came from,” said Bill Solazzo, director of marketing. “You must wear them every time you go into (your) place of employment.”
During his eight years as CEO, Sommers, 54, propelled Butler Tech from the 41st-ranked career center (out of 49) in the state in overall student performance to No. 1. The district now operates 190 satellite programs in 10 school districts and serves more than 25,000 high school and adult students.
“It’s been a great ride,” Sommers said. “Lots of good people and lots of good programs and lots of good service to students. But it’s time to move on to the new challenge.”
He will start his new role March 1 at Cornerstone Schools in Detroit.
As the board seeks a new leader, Tom Schultz will serve as the interim CEO. He retired from the Auburn Career Center in Northeast Ohio and will spend two days a week at the district office.
“The leadership team that’s in place is well equipped to carry things forward,” Schultz said. “I am here just to make sure they don’t wander, and to facilitate the board as they search for the new CEO.”
Treasurer Ed Pokora said the goal is to set an application deadline for the first week of April to find a replacement.
Kenny Craig, president of the Greater Hamilton Chamber, said the board will need to find a great leader to fill Sommers’ shoes.
“I think it’s obvious the schools can get another leader in here —a person to run the show, but it’s hard to replace great leaders.”
Kert Radel, president and CEO of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce said Sommers worked well with all the chambers.
“To me, Bob has been really a visionary for what he has done with Butler Tech. ... He’s a man that was really in the groove and they’ve had a well-oiled machine. Even though he will be missed, I will never underestimate the staff here.”
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