New Liberty schools super irks board member

One board member who is opposed to the decision said she will likely resign.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

LIBERTY — Mark Lucas, current principal of William S. Guy Middle School, will be the new superintendent of schools effective July 1.

Lucas has been with the Liberty Local School District since 1974.

Superintendent Lawrence Prince plans to retire, effective June 30. Prince, with 38 years in education, served 23 of those years in the Liberty schools, the last nine as superintendent.

The school board voted Wednesday morning to appoint Lucas. Board member Gloria Lang was the only member to vote against Lucas. Lang would not comment on her vote, but told board members she was so opposed to the Lucas decision that she would likely resign.

The board reviewed a list of 23 candidates, some from as far away as Baltimore. That list was eventually narrowed to three prospective candidates including Lucas, a principal in the Youngstown school district, and a principal in the Warren school district.

The decision

Board President Thomas Conley said board members were initially looking to hire someone from outside the district to fill the position, but that changed during the interview process.

“We, at first, were looking to go outside of the district, but the qualities we wanted ... were found in Mark Lucas,” he said. “We are confident that the leader we have chosen can guide us with the help of the community.”

The board went to the public, holding special meetings to ask residents’ help in determining the qualifications for the next superintendent. Then, the board enlisted the help of the Trumbull County Educational Service Center in conducting the candidate search.

Some board members said selecting a new superintendent was a difficult task. Board member Alyssa Lenhoff-Dann said selecting the right candidate was a difficult decision, but was made easier by the inclusion of the public and educational service center.

“This has been an incredible process and a hard decision. But what we have found is a candidate who will be in the position to address some of the issues that have plagued this district,” she said.