Friday, June 17, 2011
By Jordan Cohen
VIENNA
The Mathews Board of Education has appointed Robert Marino, Jr., interim superintendent while it continues to interview candidates for the full-time position. His appointment is retroactive to June 6.
Marino is the assistant superintendent of the Trumbull County Educational Service Center. He is the former curriculum director of the Niles school district and is president of Niles City Council.
Mathews’ current superintendent, Lee Seiple, retires effective July 31, but according to board member Brian Stidham, Seiple had already completed the number of days he was contractually required to work leaving the position open.
Marino said TCESC, which has been assisting the board in its candidate search, will not charge the district for his services provided that his work as interim superintendent does not exceed five days or 40 hours.
However should Marino’s work exceed that time period, the district will be charged $300 per day for his services, according to Lori Simione, TCESC treasurer.
“We do this to help spur the district to make its decision,” Simione said.
The superintendent search has been narrowed down to three finalists: Stephen Chiaro, a principal in the Warren School District; Kevin Spicher, a Howland middle school principal; and Deborah Grant, an elementary school principal in Ravenna.
Stidham said the board hopes to make its decision by the end of the month. More interviews with the finalists have been scheduled for next Monday.