Changes in District Personnel

[Betsy Voinovich]

District Sees Number of Admin Changes

By Christine Gordillo

Lakewood City Schools is in the middle of a number of major personnel changes due to retirements and professional advancements.

Lakewood High School Principal Bill Wagner will be leaving his position after 10 successful years to become the district’s director of Human Resources, beginning August 1. Wagner accomplished much during his decade at the helm of LHS including being named Ohio Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Principals and leading the school to Excellent ratings from the state of Ohio the last seven of eight years.

Also leaving his position in August is Mark Gleichauf, Director of Teaching & Learning K-12. Gleichauf has accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent for the Cuyahoga Falls City School District. Before taking on his current position with the district in 2010, Gleichauf was principal of Grant Elementary.

Replacing Gleichauf as Director of Teaching & Learning K-12 will be current Grant Principal Roxann Ramsey. Before landing at Grant in August 2010, Ramsey served as the district’s Coordinator of Teaching & Learning for one year before the position was eliminated. Ramsey is very knowledgeable in curriculum development and the state school improvement process, which will serve her well in her new position.

Three other administrators have chosen to retire at the end of the school year: Lincoln Principal Noreen Hazen, Horace Mann Principal Kathleen McGorray and Athletic Director Bob Thayer. Thayer’s replacement is Sean Demetries Jackson, the current Director of Athletics and Student Activities for Bedford City Schools.

Jackson has been involved in interscholastic athletics in every capacity as student athlete, coach and administrator for over 25 years. He has been a Social Studies teacher and wrestling Head Coach for Bedford prior to his job as AD.

“I am honored to be selected as the new Athletic Director for the Lakewood City School District and I look forward to meeting everyone and joining the Lakewood community,” Jackson said.

Candidates are currently being interviewed for the four open principal positions in the district.