Howland super heading to Ashtabula

The Howland board is considering adding a levy to the November ballot.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

HOWLAND — Schools Superintendent John Rubesich is leaving this summer to become superintendent of the Ashtabula County Educational Service Center.

He will replace Dr. Richard Crepage, who will retire July 1, after 35 years in education.

Rubesich, who has been at Howland seven years, is paid $99,000 annually, said school treasurer Tom Krispinsky. He will be paid $103,000 a year in Ashtabula, where he’s familiar with the education system.

This is the second Trumbull County educator to join the center in the past year. Bill Mullane, former principal at Warren G. Harding High School, is the supervisor of school improvement and community relations there.

The advantages of being a county superintendent is not having to constantly face passage of levies or negotiate labor contracts.

The Howland school board is considering placing a levy on the November general election ballot to fund construction of a new high school.

Rubesich said Wednesday that the opportunity presented itself “to focus on true academic issues.”

“I’ve had seven great years here. It’s been fantastic,” he said, noting he’s leaving “a strong staff in an excellent school district.”

Rubesich, a outdoors man, said he’ll be able to stop to hunt for a couple of hours on his way home in Howland from Ashtabula.

The board of education will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the administrative offices to discuss how to search for Rubesich’s replacement.

Rubesich was superintendent of Grand Valley School District in Orwell for five years before coming to Howland in 2000 and served as high school principal for two years there.

His current contract with Howland expires July 31, 2008.