MIDDLETOWN — A former Talawanda Schools administrator will become the superintendent of Middletown City Schools April 29.

        Stephen Price was chosen by unanimous vote Monday by the Middletown board of education from a field of 32 applicants. The board voted to give him a three-year contract. He will earn $105,000 annually.

        “As the search unfolded, it became apparent to me the match would be a good fit,” Mr. Price told the board. “I'm excited about working in a district with a strong foundation ... I think I can help you move forward.”

        Mark Frazer, president of the board, praised Mr. Price for “a passion and focus for child-centered education.”

        For the past two years Mr. Price, 47, has been superintendent of Perry Local Schools in Stark County, near Massillon. There, students gained six standards over two years on the Ohio Report Card. The district went from 19 standards to 25 met out of 27 possible on this year's report card. The district has about 4,800 students.

        Mr. Frazer said the board had three criteria for superintendent. The candidate had to be able to move the district forward academically, recognize the district's diversity as a community asset, and be able to provide leadership. A plus, Mr. Frazer said, was Mr. Price's ties to southwest Ohio.

        Mr. Price's bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees were earned at Miami University. Mr. Price spent nearly 11 years in the Talawanda Schools as teacher, attendance officer, principal and curriculum director before leaving in 1988 for Richmond, Ind., Community Schools.

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