Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Ron Spurlock, will fill the shoes of outgoing Superintendent Mike Taylor as he retires Feb. 1, giving board members time to engage the community about a future leader.
“I’m the kind of guy that really likes change,” Spurlock said. “It challenges and motivates me. I know I’m coming in at a trying time, but I’m willing to step it up ... I look forward to working with the educators and maximizing the resources we have left. Together we’ll get through all this.”
Jenni Logan, director of Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. said her experience as a treasurer in Milford Exempted Village Schools while it went through trying financial times, has prepared her for Lakota as has her experience in the private sector and in school districts across the state.
She replaces Craig Jones, who left in July for a job in Troy, and will begin Jan. 1 with the annual salary of $130,000. Jones earned $121,571 in 2009.
“I have experience with going to the edge, and knowing what that involved,” she said of her role as treasurer and CFO for Milford.
She said she looks forward to a job “where I feel like at the end of the day, when I walk away, that I’ve done something with a higher purpose, and what better purpose is there than public education?”
The one dissenting board vote came from Lynda O’Connor, who said she respects the board’s decision, and will support Logan, but would have preferred the search to continue.
“We are in the midst of daunting long term challenges with more still to come,” she stated in an e-mail. “Lakota cannot afford a misstep on one of the most important positions in the district... Although Mrs. Logan brings good qualifications to the table, I am not completely convinced that this is the best possible fit for Lakota at this critical point in time based on community input and my own research.”
Also, she said, she cannot justify the expense at a time when so many cuts are being made.
“It does not seem prudent or responsible to bring in a treasurer at this salary at this point in time."
Logan, one of three finalists for the job, has also served as treasurer at Waverly City School District, assistant treasurer and treasurer at Pike County Joint Vocational School District and Pike County Educational Service Center and assistant auditor for the State of Ohio.
“We are looking forward to having both Ron and Jenni on board as Lakota continues to face many challenges,” Board President Joan Powell stated.
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