Search is on for Ohio school superintendents

CLEVELAND (AP) _ More than two dozen school districts around the state are searching for new superintendents for next year, leaving recruiting consultants striving to fill an unusually large number of spots.

The Ohio School Boards Association is conducting more than three times the number of searches it was at this time last year. It's the most the association has seen in 20 years, said Kathleen LaSota, deputy director of board development and search services.

Most of the superintendents leaving their posts this summer are retiring rather than taking new jobs, officials said. At least 25 public school districts out of 612 already are looking, and more are expected to begin as the year goes on. Sometimes, choosing one superintendent creates an opening in another district.