Graham board selects 8 for superintendent interviews

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ST. PARIS – Eights individuals have been chosen for first-round interviews for the Graham Local Schools superintendent seat.

The school board selected the candidates to interview in executive session during its Monday meeting.

The candidates are:

•Scott Blackburn, Rolling Hills Elementary School principal, Northeastern Local Schools

•Shawn Blazer, Northeastern Local Schools assistant superintendent

•William Butler, Monroeville Elementary School principal, Huron County

•Paula Crew, Tecumseh Local Schools assistant superintendent

•Jo Anna DeMotte, Fairlawn Local Schools (grades pre-kindergarten to 12) principal, Sidney

•Chad Hill, Vandalia-Butler High School principal

•Kirk Koennecke, Marion Harding High School principal, Marion City Schools

•Dr. Brad Ritchey, Parma City schools director of Instructional Assessment

Blackburn is a former assistant principal and intervention specialist who has worked at Rolling Hills Elementary and Kenton Ridge High School in Northeastern Local, at Triad Local Schools and Greenon Local Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Wittenberg and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wright State University.

Blazer is a former principal, assistant principal and teacher who worked at Northeastern Local and Clark-Shawnee Local districts. Blazer holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and Science from Ohio University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of Dayton.

Butler is a former dean of students, district technology director, teacher and Coast Guard veteran. Butler has filled many roles in Monroeville Local Schools in Huron County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Heidelberg University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University.

Crew is a former director of special education and professional development, assistant principal, special education teacher and served in the U.S. Army Reserves. Crew has worked at Tecumseh Local Schools and Clark-Shawnee Local Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Wright State University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and School Administration from Wright State University.

DeMotte is a former director of Secondary Curriculum and Language Arts teacher. She has worked at Fairlawn Local, Anna Local and the Shelby County Educational Service Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton.

Hill is a former math teacher and has been principal in several schools. He worked at districts in New Lebanon and Union City and at Tecumseh Local Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton.

Koennecke is a former unit principal, assistant principal, athletic director and social studies teacher. He worked at Springfield City Schools, Barberton High School, Bedford High School, Richmond Heights High School, the Mayfield City Schools and Kent City Schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration from Miami University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration from John Carroll University.

Ritchey is a former principal, assistant principal, supervisor and teacher. He worked at Parma Normandy High School, Mount Vernon Middle and High schools, Westland High School and C-TEC of Licking County. He holds a bachelor’s degree is Social Studies Education from Ohio State University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University and a doctorate in Teacher Education Policy and Educational Leadership from Ohio State University.

Candidates will be interviewed by the board in special board meetings in executive session Feb. 15-16. The board will narrow the field for second-round interviews in a special executive session board meeting Feb. 29. The board hopes to hire a superintendent at its March board meeting, President Steve Setty said, and the winning candidate will begin work in August.

By Casey S. Elliott

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Casey S. Elliott may be reached at 937-652-1331 ext. 1772 or on Twitter @UDCElliott.

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