Ex-Urbana University president finalist for local job

One other candidate considered for Triad superintendent position.


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The Springfield News-Sun provides unmatched coverage of education in Clark and Champaign counties, including extensive coverage of Urbana University’s recent acquisition by Franklin University and how that deal will affect area students and faculty. That agreement was led in part by Kirk Peterson, Urbana University’s former president who resigned and is now seeking a job with the Triad Local School District.

Kirk Peterson, a former Urbana University president credited with helping negotiate a deal to keep the university open, is one of two finalists vying to be superintendent at the Triad Local School District.

Christopher Piper, a principal at Jonathan Alder Junior High School in Plain City, is the other finalist. Board members could make a decision this week, said Connie Cohn, treasurer at Triad.

Board members have extended an offer to one of the finalists, Cohn said, but the board had not received an answer by late Monday afternoon.

The finalist will likely be officially named during a special board meeting this week, Cohn said.

Both candidates are seeking to replace Matt Sheridan, Triad’s current superintendent who announced his resignation earlier this year. Sheridan had been with the district for about a year but decided to take a similar job at the Crooksville Exempted Village School District in Perry County in Southeast Ohio.

Sheridan previously said he accepted the job to be closer to his family.

Peterson initially served as vice president of Academic Affairs at Urbana University but took over as interim president in 2013. He became president of the university earlier this year and was credited with helping lead negotiations that led to an acquisition by Franklin University in Columbus. Urbana University was facing serious financial troubles, and the agreement allowed the smaller, 164-year-old university to remain open.

However, officials at Franklin University said Peterson resigned after the deal was complete to allow for a smoother transition.

Piper has served as principal at Jonathan Alder High School for about a year. He had also served as principal at Canaan Middle School for about four years.

Piper attended Wright State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration. He also received a bachelor’s degree at Wright State, with a focus on secondary education and teaching.

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