By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Query

DEERFIELD TWP. - Superintendent David Query will retire in August after seven years at the helm of the Kings Local School District.

Query said he felt it was the right time, and was looking forward to traveling and playing golf.

"I don't have any negative feelings about the job here," said the 67-year-old father of two and grandfather of five. "I'd like to spend more time with my wife and family and enjoy the things we haven't always had time to do with my job in education.

"I'm very proud of the fact that the district has had so many successes. I'm proud to be a part of it."

Query, who turned in his resignation letter last week, said he has no plans to pursue other work.

The board kicked off a search for his successor Tuesday when it hired Roger Effron of Cincinnati's Effron & Associates to help. Interviews are expected to start in May, and board members hope a new superintendent will be chosen in June.

This is the second retirement for Query, who left as superintendent of Norwood Schools in 1989 after working there since the 1950s. But, he said Wednesday, "this might be the last."

He became Kings superintendent in 1996 after serving as interim superintendent and elementary assistant principal. Since then, the district underwent a reconfiguration, earned the state's excellent rating and passed a bond issue to build two elementary schools and upgrade a third.

"He's been a visionary," said board member Roger Jones. "We hate to see him go."

Most recently, Query has been an advocate for a $43 million proposal to renovate and expand the high school and junior high campus. A bond issue to fund the project goes to voters in May.

Board members said Wednesday that they would be looking for a candidate with experience in school administration and construction projects.

"We're looking for a seasoned person to come in and keep Kings at the plateau that we have achieved," Jones said. "We've got high standards and the search is all about finding someone who will fit with what Kings has to offer."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com