Thursday, July 22, 1999
Schools boss plans to be active
Sycamore chief in waiting for Lebanon job
BY MIRIAM SMITH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — Bill Sears expects his office furniture to stay in mint condition.
That's because he doesn't plan to spend too much time sitting in it if the Lebanon Board of Education votes Tuesday to make him the district's new superintendent.
Mr. Sears, assistant superintendent for instruction at Sycamore Community Schools, is Lebanon's top choice for the position, school officials announced Wednesday.
“I have to stay committed to that classroom,” said Mr. Sears, 50, of Kings Mills in Warren County. “The good news is the furniture in (that) office is going to last a long time.”
Board of education Presi dent Katie Poitinger said Mr. Sears' variety of experience and strong personal skills made him the front-runner.
A community group that helped the board with the search met with Mr. Sears on Tuesday and gave the board their endorsement. The board is expected to offer him the post at a special meeting Tuesday. Details of the contract have not been made final. “I think people can expect an educational leader who will listen to them, who will be available to them,” Mrs. Poitinger said. “And I think that people can also expect quality improvement to be seen throughout the entire district.”
Superintendent Robert Harvey is retiring Aug. 11.
Mr. Sears has spent all of his 29 years in education at Sycamore, climbing the ranks from a math teacher to an assistant principal, then principal, then to assistant superintendent for personnel and assistant superintendent for instruction, a post he's held for five years.
He relied on his experience after a deadly tornado April 9 did about $1 million in damage to the district's Employee Development Center, athletic fields, bleachers, fences and equipment, and left many residents without homes.
Mr. Sears helped handle the crisis when Superintendent Bruce Arm-
strong was away.
Mr. Sears said he was there when Sycamore grew from a small- to medium-sized school, so he understands the pressures Lebanon faces. The district has experienced a nearly 40 percent increase in student enrollment in the last decade.
He said one of the biggest issues facing the district will be how to prepare for and be proactive to growth in the Lebanon area.
“Lebanon is a quality school district. I think they're ready to go to the next level,” he said. “Hopefully one of the skills I have is that I feel comfortable with facilitating improvement.”
Mr. Sears said that although he was happy at Sycamore and grateful for his experiences there, he thinks the time is right for the Lebanon post.
His wife, Becky, has been wanting to live in a smaller town. The couple have three grown children.
Blame Kevin if you are laughing less
Rape conviction haunts family
Flynt won't leave without a fight
Share your feelings about JFK Jr.
Woodstock at 30
Bush in town for fund-raiser
State examiners look at Children Services Board
Time's up for Hyde Park house
13-year-old pleads guilty to raping a fellow inmate
Adoption process going high-tech with videos
Daughter wanted in homicide
Heat will stick around
Home's residents will not relocate
Judge allegedly bomb target
Man wins in Jenny Craig discrimination suit
Pastor 'stable' after malignancy is removed
WCPO-TV reliving its 50 years
Young women face unique heart risks
Three women, a van and the power of performance poetry
Pianist combines concert career with love of wolves
Cheerleaders smile while muscles scream
GET TO IT
Bogus bomb threat was big lesson
City schools consider teaming with Great Oaks
Deerfield Twp. embraces Costco
Dowlin asks about portable cell-phone towers
Expansion beginning at Clermont College
Financial firm builds at Mason office park
Florence names fire chief, public services director
Initial $3M is sought for Fernald job fund
Robbery trio denied leniency
School to buy land for new building site
Schools boss plans to be active
Speaker: Teach kids discipline
State aid, larger tax base may help Fairfield schools avoid levy
Tour offered at new school
TRISTATE DIGEST
Youths earn, learn at fair
