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Principal from Columbiana chosen Girard schools chief
New superintendent will earn $93,000
By LINDA M. LINONIS
girard
David M. Cappuzzello will begin his duties as superintendent of the Girard City School District on Aug. 1.
He replaces Joseph R. Jeswald, who is retiring July 31.
Cappuzzello was among five finalists interviewed from a group of 37 applicants who applied for the position through the Trumbull County Educational Service Center. The center served as a clearinghouse for applications.
The board of education approved Cappuzzello’s hiring at a special meeting Thursday.
His contract is for three years; his first-year salary will be $93,000; then it will increase by $1,000 for each of the next two years.
Richard Rees, school board president, said, “We are confident that his outstanding qualities and character will keep Girard moving in a positive direction.”
Rees also said the board was impressed with Cappuzzello’s knowledge of the district’s academics and finances.
“He was very prepared for the interviews,” Rees said, adding that Cappuzzello came across as a “strong and capable leader.”
Rees also added that board members “had a good comfort level with him.”
Cappuzzello said he is “ready for the challenge” of being a superintendent, adding he will draw on his 11 years of experience as a teacher and 11 years as an administrator.
Cappuzzello said he was “impressed with the Girard community.”
“It has all the elements to be successful,” he said. He added he hoped to bring technology along even further for students and staff.
The new superintendent also said he wanted to continue opportunities for college-bound students and expand options for students headed for trade/technical schools. The district offers a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program for junior and senior high school students, operates an active robotics program and developed a high-school to college credit program in cooperation with Youngstown State University.
“I’m committed to maintaining and building upon the successes of my predecessor,” Cappuzzello said.
Cappuzzello, 45, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Akron. He is a graduate of Chaney High School in Youngstown.
He most recently was the high-school principal for two years in Columbiana Exempted Village School District, where he also served as middle-school principal for three years, district test coordinator and gifted-students coordinator.
Prior to those positions, Cappuzzello was employed by Ravenna City School District as middle-school principal and also taught in the Lakeview Local School District.
He and his wife, Susan, have four children. They live in Columbiana.