Even in the height of summer, superintendent turnover is continuing steadily as school boards fill vacancies ahead of 2024-25 and some leaders announce that this will be their last year at the helm.
John Pace III, deputy superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, was chosen unanimously as the sole finalist to lead Henry County Schools in Georgia. In Miami-Dade County, he oversaw the Office of School Leadership and Performance and the operation of 350 K12 schools and technical colleges serving more than 240,000 students. He previously served as the district’s chief operating officer of school operations, a regional superintendent and administrative director of the Education Transformation Office.
In Minnesota, Superintendent Brad Johnson is moving from the McGregor School District, which he has led since 2020, to the Renville County West School District. He previously served as a principal and math teacher. Superintendent Tony Willis of Alabama’s Demopolis City Schools has taken the top job at the Calhoun County School District in the same state.
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The Antietam School District in Pennsylvania has chosen its next leader, Timothy Matlack, who is now the director of teaching and learning in the Tulpehocken Area School District. Matlack was previously an assistant principal and K12 curriculum director in Antietam.
Lake Orion Community School in Michigan has promoted 28-year employee Heidi Mercer as its next superintendent. Mercer is currently the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, overseeing $160 million in bond projects and expanded student services.
Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools in Ohio has appointed Andreas Johansson as its new superintendent. Johansson, who is completing his Ph.D. in educational leadership, most recently served as the director of operations for Streetsboro City Schools.
In Illinois’ Morton Unit School District 709, Assistant Superintendent Joseph Sander will replace Superintendent Craig Smock when he retires at the end of the school year, WMBD reports.
More new hires:
- Karla Head, Elgin School District (Oregon)
- Alfredo “Fred” Perez, San Benito Consolidated Independent School District (Texas)
- Jason Spencer, Federal Hocking Local Schools (Ohio)
- Terry Sullivan, Fulton Independent School District (Kentucky)
Superintendent turnover: Departures
- Superintendent Waylon Allen will retire from the Middlesboro Independent School District (Kentucky) on July 31, 2025.
- Humble ISD (Texas) fired Elizabeth Fagen on July 23, according to Houston Landing.
- Superintendent Eric Hartz will retire from Newfield Central School District (New York) on June 30.
- Superintendent Ralph Marino Jr. will retire from Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools (New York) on Aug. 31, 2025.
- Keith Sutton has reached a resignation agreement with Warren County Public Schools (Virginia), The Warren Record reports.
