“Ms. Hester has excelled in her role as interim superintendent,” board President Jamie Belanger said in a press release issued after Tuesday’s board meeting. “Stability is important, and we feel Ms. Hester provides the strength and knowledge required to continue our focus on providing Springboro students with an excellent education.”
Hester was named interim superintendent last August, replacing Daniel Schroer.
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Schroer resigned on Aug. 30 as part of a separation agreement with the board, which accused him of misconduct involving mileage reimbursements, sick days and use of work days. An investigation of these accusations by the Ohio Department of Education continues, Treasurer Terrah Floyd said Wednesday.
The new contract amends the district’s agreement with Hester as interim superintendent and covers Aug. 16, 2019, to July 31, 2021. It sets her annual salary at $129,000.
The other contract approved Tuesday by the school board agrees to employ Hester as Executive Director of Human Resources from Aug. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2024. Her pay would be determined by the salary schedule approved by the board, with a clause allowing for raises beyond the pay range set in the schedule.
Hester got her start with Springboro schools in March 2018 as the district’s director of human resources. She had been promoted to assistant superintendent.
The press release indicated her superintendent contract was amended so that she could continue to serve in this position “in both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years.”
“I am honored to be able to lead Springboro Schools and look to continue providing the necessary leadership and oversight so that each student, parent, employee and community member contributes to the academic and social growth of our students,” Hester said in the release.
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During a special work session last November, the board discussed hiring a new superintendent, after deciding on a search strategy this month.
“The school board will determine if the superintendent position will be open for search during the latter part of the 2020-2021 school year. If there is a search for superintendent, Hester will begin a three-year contract as executive director of human resources,” Tuesday’s press release said.
It was unclear whether this would affect plans to go to voters for new operating money.
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