SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Springfield, Ohio — Springfield City Schools officials want to have an interim superintendent by the end of May.

Current superintendent Jean Harper announced her retirement in April, effective July 31. A search for her permanent replacement could take six to nine months, board president Donna Picklesimer said.

To bridge that gap, the district needs an interim leader. Finding that person in the next three weeks is an "aggressive schedule," Picklesimer said.

"We are determined to get it done," Picklesimer said. "The district has a lot of work ahead of it, and we are determined to making this happen. We've had a lot of cooperation and a lot of good suggestions from names and we're following up on some of these leads."

Currently the district is screening applicants, and Picklesimer said three to five could be interviewed.

In an e-mail to district staff, Picklesimer said the board solicited advice from SchoolMatch, Ohio School Board Association, Clark County Educational Services Center and The Weissman Group.

"We are focusing on identifying people who have experience in urban school districts. ... We want a very qualified, very engaged and energetic interim in place first to keep things going, and then the board can focus on the permanent search," Picklesimer said.

The last interim superintendent to lead the district was Tom Sherwood in 1999 and 2000. He bridged the gap between Kathleen Neal and Scott Spears.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0366 or bplasters@coxohio.com.

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