Career, tech center tries to keep up with midyear changes

The board probably will conduct a superintendent search through the state.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- Trumbull Career and Technical Center is in a period of transition.
Losing two top administrators and facing an influx of new students have officials switching gears to help stabilize operations.
Roger Samuelson, governing board member, said the center will do its best to adapt to changes.
The board is searching for a new superintendent and director.
On way out: Superintendent Dianne Kenzie is retiring, effective Dec. 31, and director Patricia Hura has accepted the superintendent's post in Columbiana, replacing Dr. Joseph Rottenborn, who has retired.
Hura, TCTC's director since 1999, was Columbiana's top choice of 27 candidates who applied.
She plans to start her new position Tuesday but officials say she'll continue to help out at TCTC until things are in order.
She was set to act as interim TCTC superintendent, and Samuelson said she was being considered to take over permanently.
Interim TCTC director will now be Gary Hoffman, who is in his second year as the center's dean of students.
Replacing him for now will be Peter Pirone, a retired Struthers principal.
Superintendent: Samuelson said he thinks the board has lined up a possible interim replacement for the superintendent.
The board will likely conduct a search through the Ohio School Boards Association to fill that post permanently.
Samuelson said he understands Hura's opportunity and doesn't begrudge her that, but he noted that administrative changes midyear are difficult.
He said he wishes districts could agree to fill posts left vacant midyear with interim replacements until the year is over.
The Niles Board of Education rejected a new five-year agreement with the Gordon D. James Career Center on Thursday, saying it didn't like the length of the contract and favors more control.
Gordon James serves Lordstown, Howland, McDonald and Weathersfield schools, all of which approved the new contract.
Niles has sent the most students to Gordon James, and districts pay a tuition per student. If Niles pulls out, the remaining districts would have to make up the costs to sustain the compact.
Affiliation favored: Some Niles board members favor an affiliation with TCTC, which doesn't charge tuition for students to attend, but residents and businesses in districts that attend the center are assessed a property tax of about 2 mills.
Without Niles, some officials think the other districts won't be able to make up the costs to keep Gordon James operating. It serves about 240 students.
Making room for new students would be no problem, TCTC officials have said.
Samuelson said Trumbull County is not big enough to justify two technical and career centers -- an issue that's been debated for years.
"I think the students of Trumbull County would be served better by one program."
davis@vindy.com