New Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools superintendent begins July 1

UPDATE @ 7:45 p.m. (Jan. 31): Douglas Cozad, chosen by the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools board as the district's next superintendent, begins his tenure July 1.

“Dr. Cozad’s overall experience and his track record as an assistant superintendent and as a principal made him a strong candidate from the beginning” of the search, board President Mary Frantz said in a prepared statement released tonight.

Cozad, who this school year served on the Bellbrook Strategic Planning Facilities Subcommittee, said, “we have a long tradition of excellence and I am looking forward to the opportunity of working collaboratively to take an already great school district to even higher levels,” he said in a prepared statement.

According to board officials, Cozad will be on a 15-day consulting contract to be utilized in April, May and June for transition purposes.

He then will be on a one-month interim superintendent’s contract beginning July 1 before starting his official three-year contract on Aug. 1.

UPDATE @ 4:05 p.m. (Jan. 31)

Douglas Cozad has confirmed that he was selected by the school board to be the next superintendent at Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools.

Cozad is currently the assistant superintendent at Franklin City Schools, where he oversees curriculum, instruction and assessment.

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek school board will be voting on his contract at their regular meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the board offices, 3757 Upper Bellbrook Road.

School officials have said the successful candidate will start working for the district next school year.

EARLIER

The Bellbrook-Sugarcreek school board is negotiating contract terms with one of two finalists for the district’s top administrative position.

The school board meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday and plans to vote on approving the contract with the successful candidate, according to Treasurer Kevin L. Liming.

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A total of 15 applied for the job and board members narrowed the list to eight for initial interviews before settling on the two finalists — Franklin Schools Assistant Superintendent Douglas Cozad and Archbold Schools Superintendent Aaron Rex.

“Today and tomorrow our board will be negotiating the contract with the candidate and running it by legal counsel,” Liming said.

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The district hired K12 Business Consulting to conduct a nationwide search for candidates and to assist in creating a community advisory group as well as conducting a survey to build a profile of characteristics for the best candidate.

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Outgoing Superintendent Keith St. Pierre announced in the fall he was resigning and his resignation went into effect this month.

Business Manager Jeffrey Lewis has been serving as acting superintendent in St. Pierre’s absence.

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