ASHLAND — An administrator with Ohio’s largest high school career technical program will be the new superintendent of the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center. The Career Center Board of Education voted at its regular meeting June 16 to approve a three-year limited administrative contract – effective Aug. 1 — to Michael J. Parry at an annual salary of $105,000.
Parry comes from Butler Tech in Hamilton, Ohio, where he was Executive Director of Secondary Education and Vice President of Education Options focusing on student needs and success. In those positions he was responsible for supervising one dozen administrators and numerous staff members at a school with 3,000 students at four campuses.
Career Center Board President Tom Donley, who represents the Mapleton Local School District, said Parry was one of three finalists from a pool of 10 applicants developed through a search conducted by TNA and Associates, which specializes in hiring career tech administrators. “We feel he will continue the leadership of the success of our Career Center into the future,” he said.
Loudonville-Perrysville School District representative David Hunter noted that it was a tough choice because all the candidates were well qualified. He said the board spent considerable time checking references and doing background checks.
Parry did not attend the board meeting because he was out of state on a family vacation. Retiring Career Center Superintendent Mike McDaniel said he and principal Rod Cheyney are scheduled to meet with Parry during a state conference of career technical leaders next week. McDaniel also said that he and the incoming school chief have already scheduled a separate day-long local meeting and are in the process of coordinating their calendars for additional meetings throughout the summer to ensure a smooth transition.
“We’ve not met face-to-face yet, but we’ve talked via phone. He is very excited, enthusiastic, and sounds very energetic. We’ve already begun the process for a change of command,” McDaniel said.
The Career Center Board also heard a report from Maintenance Supervisor Joe Bowman on the latest five-year school maintenance and renovation plan. The plan outlines how school officials will spend revenue from the district permanent improvement fund and career tech weighted funds from the state.
Renovation plans for fiscal 2017, which begins July 1, include electrical upgrades to meet computer and other equipment needs, replacing the front entrance doors, roof and parking lot sealing, security upgrades, sewer plant repairs, and new Robotics & Advanced Manufacturing Technology Education Collaborative (RAMTEC) lab construction. The RAMTEC work is being done with state grants.
Projects during the upcoming fiscal year that will be funded with state career tech dollars include parts and supplies for the Career Center’s new formula race car project that involves several programs, computer equipment upgrades, Criminal Justice program training equipment, a state required paint mixing booth for Auto Body, and conversion of the former Resource Conservation program area into a lab for a new Animal Science program.
“We try to cycle through programs and address needs and issues as they become apparent,” McDaniel said. “We want to make sure all of our programs are relevant, in tune with employer needs, that the equipment that is necessary to get the students where we need to get them is up to date and proper.”
McDaniel pointed out that officials made a five-year projection, even though there are not as many details for future years, because they want to make sure they have the financial ability to manage projects and determine what to do and when.
In other business, the Career Center Board of Education:
- Heard a report from Treasurer Julie Smith on a proposed Community Reinvestment Act 50 percent tax abatement agreement for DAAT, LLC for a downtown Ashland renovation project. Smith said the company is planning to buy the former Gilbert Furniture Store on West Main Street and convert 5,000 square feet into a restaurant and 7,500 square feet into a brewery.
- Approved a new agreement with Rachel Wixey and Associates to provide certified substitute teachers for the 2016-2017 school year.
- Approved a new contract with Appleseed Community Mental Health Center for continuation of the school’s community school liaison position.
