LORDSTOWN Board hires new superintendent

The new superintendent wants to focus on curriculum and technology.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Douglas E. Shamp is ready to start the next phase of his educational career in an area with which he's already familiar.
Shamp, who hails from Smithville near Akron, was hired by the board of education Wednesday as superintendent. He begins his three-year term Aug. 1, replacing Raymond Getz, who will retire in December after more than 35 years in education.
Final details of the contract, including Shamp's salary, are being worked out.
Ties to area
The new job marks the first time Shamp has worked as a superintendent, but he already knows the Trumbull County area. His wife, the former Susie Cantelmo, is a Warren native.
"We've already started looking at houses," Susie Shamp said. "We've visited 12 already in Lordstown."
Shamp said he and his wife were looking to be closer to her family and saw the opening in Lordstown as the perfect opportunity.
Shamp said he's aware of the financial trouble the district has faced in the past, but did not see that as a deterrent.
"They've taken some big steps to get out of those troubles," he said. "The hard part, in my estimation, is over."
The Lordstown district was placed in fiscal emergency by the state auditor a few years ago and a commission was appointed to oversee all financial matters.
By making cuts and watching spending closely, the district is starting to overcome the problems.
In his plans
"For a long time, they've had their attention focused toward fiscal matters, and that was important," Shamp said. "Now that the fiscal situation seems under control, I'd like to focus a little more on things like technology and curriculum."
Shamp comes from Northwestern Local School District in Smithville and has more than 20 years' experience in education, most as a principal.
He and his wife, a schoolteacher who plans to look for a position locally, expect to move to Lordstown in August.
Getz, 56, announced in February his decision to retire at the end of the year and worked with board members in the hunt for a new leader.
A Lordstown High School graduate, Getz spent the bulk of his career -- from 1971 until 1994 -- in Struthers as a teacher and administrator. He also worked in the McDonald School District before returning to Lordstown.
In addition to being superintendent, Getz also served as part-time principal for the elementary school. After his retirement announcement, several parents petitioned the board of education to retain him as principal, but Getz said staying on is not in his plans.
slshaulis@vindy.com