Bellaire Schools
THE BELLAIRE Board of Education has wasted no time dealing with a potential major void.
District Superintendent Tony Scott announced late last month that he was retiring from that post on Sept. 18. He has served in that position for six years.
District Treasurer Darren Jenkins was quickly named as interim superintendent. The interim tag was removed at Monday night’s board of education meeting.
Jenkins was given a three-year contract as superintendent by a 4-1 vote. Board member John LaRoche voted against the contract.
Scott’s tenure as Bellaire superintendent has been spiced with many issues.
He inherited a $3 million-plus deficit. Bellaire schools entered the state loan fund soon into his tenure.
Scott has navigated the district into black ink. Massive staff reductions and restructuring the food service plan were the big reasons for the financial turnaround.
Scott has also seen levy defeat after levy defeat. In addition, Scott has been a lightning rod for discontent after retiring and being rehired, a move which brings his yearly stipend to around $140,000.
His years as Bellaire’s school chief have not played out smoothly.
Jenkins will now have the task of keeping the school district headed in the right fiscal direction. He will also have the challenge of getting the school district and community on the same page.
Jenkins brings much experience to his the position. He has 29 years of experience in education, with 17 years as a superintendent, most recently at the Northwest Ohio Educational Services Center, which operates several alternative schools throughout the state.
Scott has been a polarizing figure. He will be remembered for eliminating debt, receiving a $140K salary and failing to pass repeated levy attempts.
Soon it will be time for Jenkins to start scripting his own Bellaire schools’ legacy. We hope it is both harmonious and successful.