MADEIRA — Michele W. Hummel, superintendent of the Madeira City School District, has received the Ohio PTA Superintendent Award for outstanding work in the school district.

        The award is given annually to a superintendent nominated by a PTA member. Ms. Hummel will be honored Oct. 26-28 at the organization's convention in Columbus.

        “Obviously, I was ecstatic about receiving the Ohio PTA Award because this honor is really about kids and the principles of PTA,” Ms. Hummel said. “I couldn't be more thrilled to work with a PTA that's as hard working as Madeira's.”

        Ms. Hummel, 46, was named superintendent at Madeira in 1995. She came to the district from Mariemont City Schools, where she was director of curriculum and administrative services.

        She leads a district with about 1,500 students. The Ohio Department of Education gives Madeira its highest ranking — effective — meaning it meets all standards established for school districts.

        “Without the support and involvement of parents, student achievement isn't as high as most communities would like,” Ms. Hummel said.

        Laurel Bauer, Sellman School PTA president, nominated Ms. Hummel, saying she represents the perfect blend of effectiveness and caring.

        “She is committed to knowing all students — troubled, gifted, average — and meets with each and every student,” Ms. Bauer wrote.

        Ms. Hummel is a member and attends meetings of all three PTAs in the district, and is committed to children's issues and parent education, Ms. Bauer said.

        “She will not ask anyone to do something she herself is not willing to do — she has stuffed envelopes, made copies, delivered packages — all the while actively engaging in conversation with the parents and community members alongside her.”

        Her 1999 battle against breast cancer meant scheduling surgery and chemotherapy around school duties. “Often, she scheduled treatments in the afternoon so she could be sure to attend an evening or early morning PTA meeting. Her cancer is now in remission, but she still receives monthly treatments for the cancer still in her bone,” Ms. Bauer said.

Airport tackles runway safety
$1.4B may not be enough
Ohio justices defy convenient labels
UC tuition will rise by 8% in fall
A boost for home buyers
Cities say rules thwart growth
Clinton visits Dayton to accept peace prize
Cops take it where crime happens
Doctors rally against concealed carry
Dulcimer picked as official Ky. instrument
Fair's touchy about animals
Grand jury will hear Lebanon case
Group moves to scrap city's civil service rules
Hospitals won't get Medicaid raise
Kenton teachers get 7% hike
Low-income housing would be controlled
Nature Conservancy buys more land along palisades
No sex indictment against teacher
Ohio PTA award announced
Outside auditor to watch ballpark
Proposal for video slots at racetracks dies in committee
Protester on trial for fest disruption
Officer Roach trial scheduled for Sept. 17
School gets 2nd inspection
Silverton development group launched
United Way pledges other help
Video store bandits use the same script
Welfare reform spending in danger
Worms sicced on Ky.'s coal scars
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report