Schools job draws 18 applicants

Howland is in no hurry to hire a superintendent to replace John Rubesich, a board
member says.

HOWLAND — The Howland School District has received 18 applications from educators seeking the superintendent’s position.

The job opening was created with the resignation of John Rubesich, who will become superintendent of the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center.

Friday was the deadline for accepting applications; the process was handled by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center.

Applicants from the area are Dr. Sandra DiBacco-Tusinac of Poland, superintendent of the Struthers School District; Maria Pappas of Poland, principal of Paul C. Bunn Elementary, Youngstown; Brad Justice of Canfield, principal of alternative schools at the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.

Also, John Grahovac Sr. of Poland; principal and director of cooperative learning program with the Portage County Educational Service Center; Alex Geordan of Southington, principal of LaBrae Middle School; John Sheets of Cortland, superintendent of the Grand Valley Local School District.

Also, Anne Martin of Warren, who works in Electronic Architecture Systems at Delphi Packard Electric and was a former electrical engineering technology teacher at Youngstown State University; and Stephen Stohla of Alliance, superintendent of Alliance City Schools and former Ravenna High School principal.

The review process

Board member Andrew Bednar said Tuesday that the board has reviewed the résumés of some applicants and it will continue the process in executive session during a special Friday meeting.

“The goal is to get the right candidate,” Bednar said.

The board has not set a deadline to replace Rubesich, whose current contracts ends July 31.

The board “doesn’t want to be hemmed in by a certain deadline,” Bednar said, noting it might mean the hiring of an interim superintendent while the selection process continues.

Bednar explained that the board won’t interview all 18 applicants.

Rather, he noted, the board will pick an unspecified number to interview based on their qualifications and résumé.

A salary for the new superintendent hasn’t been discussed, Bednar said. Rubesich is paid $99,000 annually.