by Miles Jung-Kilbreath
Reporter
Streetsboro -- "I'm thrilled, honored and excited to be coming to Streetsboro," said Linda T. Keller, Hudson City School District's Director of Pupil Personnel Services, who was officially hired as the district's new superintendent April 24.
"I'm sure [residents] will find Mrs. Keller to be a strong, enthusiastic, firm and dedicated supporter of our children and entire school district," Streetsboro School Board President Kevin Grimm said.
Hudson School Board president Bruce Hubach said, "This is a tremendous loss for Hudson. Streetsboro found themselves the absolute best candidate. Our loss is their gain.
"And I wish Linda and the [Streetsboro] school district the best in the future," he added.
Current Streetsboro Superintendent Tom Giovangnoli's last day will be July 31 with Keller taking full control of the district on Aug. 1.
Keller said she plans to work with Giovangnoli and Streetsboro School Treasurer Todd Puster to help make a "smooth transition" when she becomes superintendent full time on Aug. 1. She said she is still working with the Hudson schools, but is discussing with that district when her resignation would officially take effect.
Keller said she applied for the Streetsboro superintendent position because she believed that it was a "beautiful community and the district is wonderful." She said she likes that the community is known for its appreciation of the district and is looking forward to seeing the future growth of the community.
While Keller said she plans to actively listen to both parents and residents to learn more about the challenges that the district faces, she has already set goals to make sure that the community, School Board and the district are able to have a great relationship working together.
"My relationship with the School Board members will grow with time," she said. "It's important for the benefit of our kids that we need to develop to develop a good relationship."
Keller's salary as Streetsboro superintendent will be $108,700 for the first year of a three-year contract. She presently makes $106,279 annually at Hudson.
Keller will have a consulting contract during the transition period of $400 a day or $200 a half day. There is no minimum or maximum days required in the contract.
Keller is a graduate of Kent State University with a master's degree in speech pathology and audiology. She earned superintendent certification from Ashland University in June 2007. Keller also has a background in special education working as a speech pathologist.
She was the coordinator of special education for Akron Public Schools from 1996 to 2000. She also served five and half years as the student services director for Lakewood City Schools from 2000 to 2005.
In Hudson, Keller said she oversees special education, including health and safety, guidance, budgets and grants.
She also said she sits on the superintendent's cabinet, which helps set direction for the district, which works toward increasing student achievement and providing academic and instructional strategies for professional development.
Keller also has worked on successful levy campaigns in Hudson.
Grimm said the Board chose Keller despite a lack of previous teaching, principal or superintendent experience because while she may not have risen through the teaching ranks, she has a proven herself as an effective educational leader.
"She has unique experience from her past that is different from anyone else's in the district," Grimm said. "She will do wonders in Streetsboro."
E-mail: mjung-kilbreath@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3942