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“He’s been in the community for over 18 years. He was just a natural fit,” said board president, Denise Moore.
Hastings has been teaching for 36 years in both public and private schools, according to his resume.
“The last year, I’ve been working with Central State, and I’ve worked with the city in the past, and it seemed like the right timing to help create opportunities for all three parties,” Hastings said. “To me, (being on the board) is the opportunity of a lifetime because of the timing of everything.”
Hastings will be officially sworn in Monday, Jan. 29.
Interviews for the open board position took place Thursday, Jan. 25.
Ohio law requires the district to fill the position within a month of the resignation of the person who held it previously, according to Janice Allen, Trotwood-Madison City Schools Treasurer.
The school board will also hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31 to discuss another change in leadership.
The district is looking for a new superintendent. Current superintendent Kevin Bell announced he will retire in December 2018.
The meeting will start at 11 a.m. with student comments and input and end at 8 p.m. after a general community meeting.
“We want the best candidate for the job and we want to make sure we are doing our due diligence to find that candidate,” Moore said. “We need all hands on deck, our board can’t do this alone. One team, one fight.”
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The district has put out a search profile criteria questionnaire for those who cannot attend the meeting. The questionnaire asks community members what issues facing the district are most important and what characteristics they are seeking in a new superintendent.
The board plans on having more forums in the future, to continue the conversation, according to Moore.
Allen said the district is hoping to have a new superintendent by the end of June.
“This individual is going to touch all aspects of the community, so it’s important we get community input,” Moore said. “I want every parent, every stakeholder to know that they can have confidence in Trotwood leadership. We’re doing whatever we can to turn this ship around.”
The Board of Education will hold a retreat for its members on Saturday, Feb. 3, where, among other things they will discuss selecting a superintendent and the threat of state takeover this summer by an academic distress commission.
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Trotwood-Madison schools ranked last in test scores on the state report card, and faces state takeover if state test scores do not improve this spring.
“We’re very optimistic that won’t be an issue,” Moore said. “We’re going in the right direction. We’re following the district wide plan to the letter.”
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