Boardman Schools name new high school principal and director of instruction

Staff report

BOARDMAN

The high school soon will have its first female principal.

Assistant High School Principal Cynthia Fernback will move to the position of principal at the start of the 2015-16 school year.

Fernback, who was a teacher for nearly 20 years before becoming an administrator, will replace Jared Cardillo. Cardillo, who has been with the district for 18 years as a teacher and later an administrator, will become the district’s director of instruction.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity,” Fernback said. “I’m very sad to see Mr. Cardillo go. ... [There are] big shoes to fill, but I’m up for the challenge, and I’m anticipating many good things.”

She posted a message on the school’s website Tuesday, writing: “I am a proud 1984 graduate of Boardman High School, and I am incredibly thrilled to have this awesome opportunity to lead my alma mater 30 years after having earned my own Boardman diploma. ... As always, I am happy to serve Boardman Schools.”

The district’s outgoing director of instruction is Dr. Linda Ross, who has been in the position for the last nine years. She retired four years ago and was rehired by the district.

“We congratulate these three administrators as they enter a new phase in their career. I have great confidence in these two gifted administrators as they accept new challenges,” Superintendent Frank Lazzeri said in a statement Tuesday.

“Mr. Cardillo and Mrs. Fernback will continue the tradition of excellence our community has come to expect,” he said.