Lowellville hires new superintendent

August 2, 2014 at 12:06a.m.

By EMMALEE C. TORISK

LOWELLVILLE

After a week’s worth of candidate interviews, Lowellville Local Schools has a new superintendent.

Eugene M. Thomas’ first day in the district was Friday. He was unanimously selected by the Lowellville Board of Education and was extended a three-year contract offer with a starting salary of $100,000, at a special meeting Thursday.

Jim Alfano, school board president, said Thomas’ combination of experience and enthusiasm was attractive. His most-recent position was with the Ohio Department of Education State Support Team for Region 5, located at the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.

Thomas also has worked as a superintendent for Mansfield City Schools and the Shenango Area School District. He has “up-to-date knowledge of the ... things that are going on in education right now,” as well, Alfano said.

In a news release from the Mahoning County Educational Service Center, Thomas was quoted as saying he’s “thrilled” to be the new superintendent for Lowellville Local Schools.

“The district has an excellent school system with high expectations and is a great fit, given my upbringing and professional background,” he added.

Thomas replaces Rocco Nero, who served as the district’s superintendent for the past 10 years. Nero made $98,000 at Lowellville. His last day there was Thursday, and he is now the part-time superintendent of Southington Local Schools, making $75,000 annually.

Nero announced his resignation in mid-July, just days after the Lowellville Board of Education voted not to extend his contract for three more years. Even then, Alfano remained hopeful that the search process could be expedited, and that the district could secure a new superintendent by the time school began in late August.

It’s been a long week, Alfano said.

The district advertised the opening July 21, narrowed the list of 12 applicants to five July 26, and interviewed the candidates Monday and Tuesday. A second round of interviews took place Thursday.

“We’re looking forward to a smooth transition that will lead us into the start of the new school year,” he said. “I think that’s not going to be a problem.”