EDUCATION Leetonia board names principal

Crestview and Columbiana school officials hope to fill principal vacancies next week.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LEETONIA -- Pleased with his performance as interim junior-senior high principal, Leetonia Board of Education unanimously voted to give John Rydarowicz the job for two years.
Superintendent Lynn King said Rydarowicz has done a good job as interim principal and rose to the top from the 20 applicants.
Rydarowicz has been an administrator, coach and teacher in the district for 30 years, and has held administrative certification for 13 years.
Most recent, Rydarowicz has been the district's athletic director and an in-school suspension teacher. He also has taught science in the district.
He will receive $58,000 for the first year of the contract, with the second-year salary to be determined, King said.
Rydarowicz has served as interim principal since Dr. Ralph Prall resigned in January to accept a similar position elsewhere.
Narrowing the field: King said 20 people applied from around the area as well as West Virginia and Kentucky. He and the school board narrowed the list to five finalists, which King then interviewed.
He chose the top two candidates, and Monday they were interviewed by King, an athletic boosters representative and two teachers chosen by the teachers union membership.
The board received several petitions in February from students, staff and community members who said they wanted Rydarowicz to be given the principal's contract.
Area searches: Crestview and Columbiana superintendents are working toward presenting principal candidates to their boards of education July 11.
Michael Notar accepted a position as principal of Stadium Drive Elementary in Boardman after one year at Crestview Elementary.
After four years as Columbiana High School principal, Dr. Joseph Shivers accepted a position as director of curriculum, instruction and personnel at Salem schools.