Conneaut citizens will help pick new superintendent

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 14, 2008 01:46 am

— CONNEAUT — A citizens’ committee will have a say in the selection of the Conneaut Area City Schools district’s new superintendent, officials said.
A panel comprised of a dozen or so residents will soon have a chance to interview finalists for the position, John Rubesich, Ashtabula County Educational Service Center superintendent, said Friday.
School board members completed the first round of interviews this past week, and hope to whittle down the field to two or three finalists by the end of the month, Rubesich said. At that point, the public involvement portion of the program will happen, he said.
Barring snags, a new superintendent could be in the fold by the middle of July.
Members have provided a list of people who would make good committee members, Rubesich said. They will be contacted to gauge their interest in serving on the panel, he said.
The successful candidate will replace Mary Zappitelli, who has served as Conneaut’s superintendent since January 2006. She is leaving at the end of June to oversee the Geneva school district, but will be available in July to assist the transition, officials have said.
Applicants have come from within the Conneaut district and around the state, Rubesich said. Candidates hail from places like Bowling Green, Dublin and Springfield, he said.
Board members were pleased with the quality of the applicants they met this week, Rubesich said. “We have some good candidates,” he said.
The board will weigh a number of factors in making a decision, Rubesich said. “They must ask themselves who they want to become the face of the school district, and who can help the board pass a (school) levy,” he said.