By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MORROW - Little Miami's high school principal has been chosen to take the district helm.

The board unanimously approved Daniel Bennett, high school principal for two years, for a three-year contract at its Tuesday meeting. He will earn $95,000 a year.

He was chosen from among 34 candidates to replace Ralph Shell, who is retiring.

"I think the biggest challenges for us are obviously the growth and change that our community is going through because of the growth," said Bennett, who is in his sixth year with the district. "I look forward to hopefully providing solid leadership to take us through those changes."

Bennett was assistant principal before becoming high school principal. He spent 13 years teaching math in various districts and has coached football, basketball, track and baseball.

The married father of two has a master's degree in educational administration and is finishing his superintendent licensure at the University of Dayton.

Bennett said he wants "to dig in and really take a look at where we're at," including building on the district's continuous improvement plans.

"I want to continue to grow, as we have in the last several years, academically towards reaching our goal of excellence," he said.

The board held forums to discuss what qualities they wanted in their superintendent, board member Mary Beth Hamburg said.

"Overwhelmingly, they wanted someone who was able to provide a vision for this district," she said. "Above and beyond everything else, they wanted someone who was able to be seen as a community leader. We felt Mr. Bennett had proven that at the high school and could do that at a district level."

The board also was drawn to Bennett's energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the students, she said.

The district will host open houses so the community can meet Bennett next school year.

But before he moves up to the district office, Bennett said he wants to focus on finishing the year as high school principal and ensuring his students finish the year strong.

"My biggest loss will be not having the daily contact with the high school kids and being part of watching my kids grow for four years," Bennett said. "But I'm not going to be going too far."

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com