CANFIELD SCHOOLS Superintendent to leave next year

Canfield schools received a rating of 'excellent' for meeting 27 of 27 state performance indicators.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- Schools Superintendent Douglas Hiscox resigned during Wednesday's board of education meeting -- overshadowing the news that all four Canfield schools are performing well above the state average.
Hiscox reportedly discussed the resignation with school board members during an executive session called to discuss personnel matters. When the board reopened the meeting, Hiscox read a letter announcing his decision, and members voted to accept his resignation effective Jan. 31, 2003.
The move was not altogether unexpected, according to board member Bruce Brocker and board president Mark Squicquero.
A superintendent's job is extremely difficult, Brocker said. "You can hardly make anybody happy."
Over the past two years, parents and township residents have packed several sessions complaining about actions the board was or was not taking.
Upcoming levy: "Doug's dedication to the district is absolute," Squicquero said. He is concerned that some of the negative feedback that has been directed at him could affect voters' decisions regarding a 6.9-mill, five-year operating levy on the May ballot.
Rather than put the health of the district in jeopardy, Squicquero said, Hiscox chose to resign. "I applaud his concern for the district. It's unfortunate that we won't have him around."
Hiscox opted to retain his position through next January so that board members can focus on getting the levy passed and still have plenty of time to choose his replacement.
Squicquero expects to be flooded with letters from prospective applicants given the academic success of the Canfield schools. He said he wouldn't be surprised if the phone starts ringing today, as soon as area educators learn of Hiscox's resignation.
Hiscox has served as superintendent of Canfield schools the past three years.
State report card: Earlier in the meeting, Dante Zambrini, assistant superintendent, discussed results of school building report cards issued by the Ohio Department of Education.
According to the reports, Canfield schools received a rating of "excellent" for meeting 27 of 27 state performance indicators; 71 districts in the state received this rating.
The graduation rate at Canfield High School is 97.7 percent, according to the report. The state average is 74.8 percent.
The percentage of pupils passing state proficiency tests also exceeds state averages with 98.3 percent of ninth-graders and 75.6 percent of 12th-graders passing citizenship, compared with statewide averages of 91 percent for ninth-graders and 71.6 percent for 12th-graders.
Similarly, 97.1 percent of ninth-graders and 73.6 percent of 12th-graders passed mathematics, compared with 83.4 percent and 61.9 percent statewide averages.
One hundred percent of ninth-graders and 83.8 percent of 12th-graders passed reading, compared with 95.9 percent and 74.1 percent statewide; 99.6 percent of ninth-graders and 93.3 percent of 12th-graders passed writing, compared with 96.7 percent and 87.8 percent statewide; and 97.5 percent of ninth-graders and 81.3 percent of 12th-graders passed science, compared with 87.9 percent and 70.8 percent statewide.
kubik@vindy.com