RETIREMENT West Branch schools chief: It's time to go

The new superintendent graduated from the high school in 1971.
By JoANN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BELOIT -- Louis Ramunno, superintendent of the West Branch schools, always wants to walk away from a place leaving it better than he found it.
With the district nearing completion of a $36.9 million building project and remaining fiscally stable, he said he knows it's time to go now.
"You know when it's time," Ramunno, a 34-year education veteran, said after the board of education meeting Thursday night at the high school. "I feel very fortunate having the responsibility of 2,600 kids every day. I've enjoyed coming to work every single day, and I want to leave that way."
Ramunno, who has spent his last 12 years in the West Branch district -- nine as its superintendent -- said he's enjoyed working with the people and has been fortunate to have the support of the board, teachers, staff, and custodians. His plans, he said, are to "recharge after 34 years by either slowing down or finding something different."
Weingart hired
After accepting Ramunno's resignation, the board hired Scott Weingart, the district's administrative assistant for curriculum and Beloit Elementary principal, to fill Ramunno's position. The length of his contract and his salary were unavailable.
A 1971 West Branch High School graduate, Weingart received his bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster and his master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University in 1982.
That year he moved to Tempe, Ariz., where he worked as a teacher and then later became the principal of Corona del Sol High School. He received his doctorate in educational administration from Arizona State University in 1992.
Weingart and his family relocated to the West Branch area in 1995 when he became principal of West Branch Junior High and Damascus Elementary. He held that position until 2001 when he was appointed to his current position.
"I'm glad to follow the exceptional leadership of Lou," Weingart said. "I'm fortunate he chose to mentor me."
Weingart said he plans to maximize the resources of the district and stay focused on curriculum while fostering "an environment where the community feels informed and involved."
The board hired Sherri Kitzmiller as principal of Beloit Elementary during the meeting. Kitzmiller has served as a middle school language arts teacher whose expertise is early childhood literacy.
Reading scores improve
Weingart also presented figures to the board that showed significant increases in third-grade reading achievement tests. The tests, he said, are being phased in as proficiency tests are being phased out.
All pupils were tested in early October, then again in March. The overall district passage rate went from 57 percent in October to 83.7 percent at the spring testing.
Board members also accepted the retirements or resignations of these employees: Carolyn S. Falconer, high school chemistry and physics teacher; Bill Phillips, OWE and OWA coordinator; Kay Hettler, elementary teacher; and Glenna Zingg, high school secretary.
The board hired Linda Catania and Luke Williams, both district residents, as assistant middle school track coaches for the current year. They will share a stipend of $1,668.
Board members also approved the Snyder Insurance Agency of Salem as the pupil insurance provider for the 2004-05 school year. Parents will have the option of paying a double premium to receive double benefits. The cost of school-time single coverage for kindergarten through grade six is $16, and 24-hour coverage is $59. Single school-time coverage for grades seven-12 is $26 with 24-hour coverage set at $69.