HUBBARD School board officials seeking money for loss of superintendent

Herrholtz said he couldn't pass up the opportunity.
By MIKE VAN CLEAVE
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HUBBARD -- A letter couldn't express the frustration Hubbard school board members felt over losing their superintendent to a larger school district in the middle of a school year, so they decided to ask for compensation.
The board is drafting a letter to the Ohio Board of Education and the Madison School District in Lake County asking for $25,000 to $50,000 in compensation for their participation in events that led to Superintendent Jim Herrholtz's leaving Hubbard.
Herrholtz submitted his letter of resignation Wednesday at the board's meeting. He made around $80,000 as Hubbard superintendent.
Robert Toth, board president, said the process of losing Herrholtz began when the Ohio Board of Education offered a position to the former Madison superintendent, which left Madison without its top administrator.
The search for a new superintendent eventually trickled down to Hubbard. Madison is a larger school district and could, therefore, offer more opportunity to an up-and-coming school administrator such as Herrholtz, Hubbard officials said.
"The state of Ohio and the Madison School District have caused enormous problems for the Hubbard school district," board member Ray Wells said. "The only way things like this are going to stop is if we go after money."
Didn't seek the job
Herrholtz, who began his service as superintendent in July 2001, said he didn't seek out the job, but he couldn't pass it up when it was offered.
"This is my home," Herrholtz said, referring to Hubbard. "I will always be an 'Eagle,' but this [Madison] is a bigger school district, and I have to take those opportunities when they exist."
Toth said the board should have an interim superintendent before Herrholtz's resignation date March 25, but he didn't know when the board would find someone permanent.
He said the process will be tedious, and although he already has six or seven people in mind, it is likely that board officials will have to conduct many interviews before deciding upon a replacement.