The decision to leave Northwestern is bittersweet, Orr said.
“It’s been an honor to help my alma mater not only build new buildings, but improve the academic standards of the students,” he said. “It’s hard to say goodbye to your hometown, but I worked with a great team to improve the community and the students and the staff.”
Orr has been superintendent for seven years. He has also served as assistant superintendent and middle school principal for eight years in Huber Heights City Schools, and was a middle and high school English teacher in both Troy City and Huber Heights schools.
He was recognized by middle school students as “Teacher of the Year” two times. He received an Outstanding Achievement Team Award in Education for work with students with disabilities. He also received the Citizen Education Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Moving closer to his fiancee’s family was one of Orr’s reasons for leaving.
“We knew we wanted to get back to where her family is from, toward the Cincinnati area, where her support system is,” he said. “I was elated when the Hamilton position became available and I never could have dreamed that an educated boy from Northwestern would have the ability to lead such a fantastic community as Hamilton.”
The move will also mean a raise for Orr. In Hamilton, his starting annual salary likely will be $145,000 on a two-year contract. His current salary is $124,000 per year.
Richard Birt, president of the Northwestern school board, said the district thrived under Orr’s leadership and he will be missed.
“Mr. Orr has been a great advocate for our school, our community and our staff and we are very excited for this opportunity for him as a professional,” Birt said.
The board is working to assemble a search committee to find Orr’s replacement, Birt said.
“We’re very excited for him and very appreciative of the work he’s done as our superintendent over the last seven years,” Birt said.
Orr said he will officially submit his resignation at the next Northwestern board meeting. His contract will expire Aug. 1.
“Between now and Aug. 1, we still have much to accomplish, although we have done so much together during my seven-year tenure,” he said. “I look forward to helping them with their transition as they find their next leader.”
Orr, currently a Dayton resident, received his bachelor’s degree in secondary English from Wright State University and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Dayton.
Staff Writer Tiffany Latta contributed to this report.
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