Thegatewaynews.com - Principal, busing supervisor to leave

by Bob Gaetjens

Editor

Streetsboro -- Streetsboro High School and the district's bus drivers will have new leaders next year.

The School Board voted unanimously to accept Streetsboro High School Principal Michael Berner's resignation Jan. 14. He plans to leave this summer.

The Board also voted 3-2 to accept Transportation Supervisor Sharon Dove's retirement, with Cynthia Pennock-Hanish and Kevin Grimm dissenting.

Superintendent Linda T. Keller said she hasn't yet formalized the hiring process to replace Berner and that the district will move quickly to interview for and fill Dove's position.

Berner said he decided to resign due to "personal financial" issues. His wife recently obtained a good job, and his family has been renting a residence in Streetsboro while making mortgage payments on its home in Avon Lake, a burden Berner said he no longer wishes to bear.

"My wife has lined up a job so that I'm not overly concerned about my situation," he said. "We'll be OK."

Berner said he plans to serve out the remainder of his two-year contract, which expires July 31. His last day will likely be sometime in June. He's being paid $96,172 this year.

Keller said he will be missed, adding she appreciates the advance notice he has given the Board.

"Mike has done a nice job at the high school," she said. "Now, is a very respectful time to let us know, so we have ample time to go through a [hiring] process."

Keller said the search and interview process for the high school principal job hasn't been set up yet.

Berner said he's pleased with the work he's helped accomplish on the high school's block scheduling. A presentation to the School Board on possible changes is planned for February, he added.

"I feel like that was a big accomplishment," he said.

Berner also said he helped update the high school's curriculum.

"I feel like we've made a lot of headway in getting curricular issues together," he said.

Berner said he will miss celebrating the students and their achievements.

"I absolutely adore these kids," he said. "They are really amazing."

He said he's enjoyed watching the district's sports teams and instrumental groups progress during the last year and a half.

30 years of service concludes career

After 30 years of service, which were up in November, Dove said she has decided to retire and enter grandmotherhood full time.

"I have some grandchildren, and I want to be grandma," she said. "I haven't had the opportunity."

Her grandchildren -- ages 14, 9, 7, 3 and six weeks -- also live in the area, she said.

Grimm, who voted against accepting her retirement, said he would like to see Dove serve out the remainder of her contract, but also wants her to stay because she does a "pretty flawless" job coordinating bus schedules.

"She's been great at what she does," he said. "She's one of the few people who can handle that busing schedule the way she has."

Pennock-Hanish agreed.

"I was trying to let her know and the community know what a wonderful job she's done, and that I just don't want to lose her," said Pennock-Hanish, adding more notice of the retirement would have been helpful.

Dove was earning a salary of $51,972 this year and was in the midst of a three-year contract.

The failure of the school levy and subsequent cuts in busing kept her around longer than she planned, she added. She wanted to complete the rerouting associated with recent cuts to busing service and make sure it was running smoothly.

"This isn't just something someone can walk in and do," she said.

Keller said Dove has done an excellent job making sure everything is in place before she leaves.

"She certainly leaves us in a really good place as far as everyone being organized," said Keller. "She will be sorely missed."

Dove said she remembers most fondly driving the bus on field trips her children were taking, but she enjoyed much of her work.

"I loved my bus routes," she said. "I still see the children I drove on the bus."

E-mail: bgaetjens@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3941