Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Finneytown superintendent to retire
BY CHRISTINE WOLFF
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGFIELD TWP. — Finneytown Superintendent Donald Schmidt will retire this summer, leaving the district he will have led for 141/2 years.
The Finneytown school board accepted Mr. Schmidt's resignation Monday, effective July 1, 2000. The search for a replacement will begin soon, the board said, and will include a request for comments from residents about what they would like to see in a new superintendent.
“(Mr. Schmidt's) going to be a tough act to follow,” said Gary Metzger, school board president. “Ideally, we'd like to hire a new superintendent before Don leaves, so they can work together awhile to help with transition.”
A focus group for residents' comments probably will be scheduled for November, Mr. Metzger said.
"My internal clock'
Mr. Schmidt, 56, of Finneytown is retiring after 32 years in education. He came to the Finneytown Local School District in 1986 from the Trotwood-Madison City School District near Dayton, Ohio, where he was assistant superintendent for 41/2 years. He taught in elementary and junior high schools in Oxford and Columbus, and served as principal at elementary and high schools in the Dayton area.
“My internal clock said it's time to try something else. I have no definite plans,” he said. “I love education. It's not a matter of being tired or burned out on education.”
Mr. Metzger, a parent and a school-board member for three years, praised Mr. Schmidt's management style.
“He got his administrators involved in decisions. He always sought input. That style works well in a district like Finneytown,” Mr. Metzger said.
More go to college
Mr. Schmidt is proud of his role in the district's climb in the number of students going on to higher education. An average of 84 percent of students in the 1,900-pupil, five-school district continue their education, up from 70 percent in the 1980s.
“We emphasize the importance of education and that it doesn't end at high school,” he said. “The community values education.”
He'll also leave with good feelings, he said, about the number of Finneytown graduates who become teachers or go into public service. And he's happy that the district's “buildings and grounds will be in great shape,” thanks to recent renovations.
“Whoever gets this job will inherit a district very dedicated to improving education,” Mr. Schmidt said.
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