Northwestern to interview 8 superintendent candidates


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The Springfield News-Sun provides unmatched coverage of local education and will continue to keep you up to date on the search for Northwestern’s next superintendent.

The Northwestern Local Board of Education will interview eight superintendent candidates this week to replace Tony Orr.

The board will meet in executive session from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday to conduct the interviews.

Through K-12 Business Consulting, Inc., the district received 31 applications for the job, including an international candidate from Kuwait.

“I certainly am excited by the pool of applicants. I think it was a great representation of a lot of talented individuals,” said Northwestern board president Rick Birt. “I think the eight individuals we’ve selected all have extraordinary talent. The board of education is looking forward to meeting these individuals and talking about their vision for Northwestern and what they can do to move our community forward.”

The eight candidates being interviewed are:

•Scott Mann, superintendent of the Riverside Local School District in Logan County.

•Chad Hill, principal of Butler High School, Vandalia-Butler City School District in Montgomery County.

•Cara Riddel, superintendent of the Westfall Local School District in Pickaway County, south of Columbus.

•Vicki Brunn, superintendent of the Central Local School District in Defiance County, northwestern Ohio.

•Scott Blackburn, principal of Rolling Hills Elementary School, Northeastern Local School District.

•Elizabeth Lolli, director of curriculum and instruction for Middletown City Schools in Butler County.

•John Kronour, superintendent of the Tipp City Exempted Village School District in Miami County.

•Jesse Steiner, superintendent of the Celina City School District in Mercer County.

After the first round of interviews this week, finalists for the job will be chosen and interviewed again during the first week of June. The board hopes to make and offer soon after and vote to approve the hire at their regularly scheduled meeting June 17.

Orr is leaving to take a job as superintendent of Hamilton City School District.

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