In this latest busy week of superintendent hiring, Dayton Public Schools has promoted David Lawrence after he had served as the district’s interim leader since July. Lawrence is a 30-year educator who has served in many roles in urban and suburban districts since graduating from high school in Dayton in 1984.
As interim superintendent, Lawrence established the district’s new guiding principles, known as the five Cs: culture, commitment, communication, competence and collaboration. Third-grade reading scores and other academic results have improved during Lawrence’s tenure, the district announced. Lawrence has also served as Dayton’s chief of school innovation, business manager and high school principal.
Joseph Hattrick is one of four superintendents who have switched districts within the last week. Hattrick will become superintendent of the Ashland School District in Oregon after having led the Rainier School District in the same state.
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In California, Paul Sevillano was chosen to lead the Rim of the World Unified School District after having served as superintendent of the Farmersville USD. Christopher Drezek is moving to the top spot at Old Saybrook Public Schools in Connecticut after having been the superintendent and assistant superintendent of Enfield Public Schools since 2010.
And in Pennsylvania, the Blackhawk School District has chosen Johannah Vanatta as its new leader. Currently the leader of the Chartiers Valley School District, Vanatta will start her new role in July.
In another promotion from within, Heather Hoyer has been named the next superintendent of Great Falls Public Schools in Montana. She has been the district’s executive director of student achievement since July 2019.
Districts that made external hires include Shawnee Heights USD 450 in Kansas, which has chosen Sheila Meggers to become its next superintendent this summer. Meggers has been an administrator and principal in Hutchinson Public Schools and Renwick Public Schools. In Wisconsin, Kevin Krutzik is making the jump from principal of Sheboygan Falls High School to become superintendent of the Southern Door County School District.
Township High School District 113 near Chicago has made Chala Holland its first black superintendent. Holland, who is currently an assistant superintendent for administrative services in the Naperville Community Unit School District 203, takes the helm on July 1.
More new superintendent hiring
- Shannon White-Cleveland, School Union 28 (Massachusetts)
- Erick Cummings, Towanda Area School District (Pennsylvania)
- Mark McPherson, Hanover School District 28 (Colorado)
- Todd Moody, Grant County Schools (Kentucky)
- Gary Weber, Warren County School District (Pennsylvania)
