The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Position filled by district
New superintendent hired, will replace retiring official
The North Ridgeville City School District Board of Education announced hiring Roxann Ramsey-Caserio as a new superintendent.
The announcement Feb. 10 at an Academic Center Community Room at 34620 Bainbridge Road included details about the contract.
Ramsey-Caserio — who was awarded a four-year contract — is currently an assistant superinten- dent of the Lakewood City School District, according to a news release from North Ridgeville City Schools.
She will replace the retiring Superintendent Dr. Jim Powell, who has served the school district at the helm for four years.
Her new position will be effective in August, the release said.
Gregg A. Westover, Ward 1 councilman of North Ridgeville, said he noticed Powell did an excellent job serving as superintendent.
“I believe (Powell) was well-liked by many,” he said. “I’ve always heard positive comments about him.”
The board of education has been conducting a superintendent search since October 2017, the release said. The Board received help from K-12 Business Consulting, Inc., a superintendent search firm.
After developing a superintendent profile, the Board reviewed the credentials of 24 applicants — many of whom were recruited — the release said. Profiles were based on input received during staff/community focus group sessions and survey responses from 107 parents, community members, teachers, administrators, support staff members and
students.
The board interviewed on Jan. 30-31 between eight semi-final candidates. A committee of 29 citizens and district employees first had the opportunity to ask each candidate questions during Meet and Greet sessions, the release said.
Two finalists returned on Feb. 5 and 6 for a second interview with the Board.
“The Board of Education is excited to welcome Roxann Ramsey-Caserio as the Superintendent of North Ridgeville City Schools,” said President Kelly McCarthy. “Roxann’s leadership, passion for learning and dedication to students makes her the ideal leader for our district.”
Ramsey-Caserio has served the Lakewood City School District as assistant superintendent for the past 3 ½ school years, the release said.
Previously, she was the director of teaching and learning at Lakewood City Schools and served as an elementary school principal there for three years. She also served as an assistant principal at the middle
school level, taught high school language arts and was a high school student activities director in Beachwood City Schools, the release indicated.
She received her bachelor’s degree in English Secondary Education from John Carroll University in 1999 and her master’s degree in Education Administration from the John Carroll University in 2001, the release related.
Westover said with Ramsey-Caserio’s prior experience in education she would be a good fit as superintendent for the school system.
Ramsey-Caserio and her husband, Mike, reside in the Rocky River, the release said. They are the parents of two children, Miahbella, 6, and Michael, 5.
She said she is humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead North Ridgeville Schools as the next superintendent.
“It has been a blessing to work in Lakewood where I have forged relationships with all stakeholder groups and truly experienced the value of collaboration and
solid leadership,” she said. “This will serve me well in my new role. Over the past few weeks I have been fortunate to meet with several groups within the North Ridgeville community; teachers, parents, support staff, administrators, students, Board of Education and community members. I look forward to building new relationships that will benefit the growth of our schools. I thank the board of education and the entire community of North Ridgeville for providing me this amazing opportunity.”
Ramsey-Caserio will have a 15-day consulting contract to be utilized in April through July 31 for transition purposes into her new position, the release said.
She will attend a Board of Education meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 in the North Ridgeville Academic Center cafetorium at 34620 Bainbridge Road in North Ridgeville to address parents, students, faculty and community stakeholders, the release related. There will also be a reception where refreshments and desserts will be served.