ASHLAND — Mayor Steve Gilmore will be Ashland’s new school superintendent.
The Ashland Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to hire Gilmore to fill the post being left vacant when Phil Eason leaves in June.
Gilmore’s three-year contract, at a starting salary of $105,000 per year, begins July 1.
“I’m very excited to have Steve as superintendent,” Paul E. Stringer, board chairman, said. “He’s earned a lot of respect over the years.”
Gilmore was one of three finalists for the position. A former administrator in the district, he retired in 1996 as an assistant superintendent after a career spanning 29 years.
Gilmore said he could bring his mayoral experience to bear on school issues.
“There are some of the same things we have to deal with — no money but things to fix,” he said. “Being mayor of Ashland was the best experience of my life. Being superintendent will be an experience equal to that.”
As mayor he pitches the city to developers, who are invariably interested in the quality of the schools. Now, he’ll be using his contacts with the business community to build relationships that will help the district, he said.
Gilmore became mayor in 2002 after his predecessor, Paul Reeves, was forced to resign in a child pornography scandal.
“I promised leadership then, and I feel I’ve delivered leadership,” he said.
“I’ve promised the board of education leadership and I intend to deliver leadership to them.”
His approach to running the district will boil down to a total emphasis on classroom instruction, Gilmore said.
That goes for every staffer in the district, from the people who drive the buses on up, he said.
Gilmore’s hiring was anticipated by many, but Stringer said the choice was difficult for the board. “We had very strong candidates and it was a difficult decision because they were all so good.
“Each brought different strengths to the table. In the end, we settled on Mr. Gilmore because of his vast experience, his relationships and good standing in the community.”
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kevin Goldy
Related Links
Discussion
New super for Ashland
See related story at right
- Local News
-
-
2 recipes revealed in Sanders autobiography
Want to cook like the Colonel?
-
Vet picnic will be Saturday
Tri-State veterans are invited to a free outing on Saturday.
-
‘Building Doctors’ will make rounds in Portsmouth June 14,15
Main Street Portsmouth, TSHD Architects and the Ohio Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio Historical Society will sponsor a Building Doctor Clinic for old-building owners in the Portsmouth area June 14 and 15.
-
3 arrested after meth lab found
The Boyd County Sheriff’s Department arrested three after discovering a meth lab at a home in Rush on Saturday.
-
Going with the flow
The popularity of water trails is growing in eastern Kentucky as more and more communities embrace adventure tourism as a way to paddle their economies forward.
-
State artists will shine at MSU show
Jennifer Reis wants Kentucky artists to have a chance to win prizes chosen especially for them.
-
Central Park festivities: Musical salute honors veterans
Many, including city officials, gathered Monday to enjoy music and festivities during the Memorial Day Celebration in Ashland’s Central Park on Monday afternoon.
-
An event fit for an American
Hundreds decked out in red, white and blue lined the streets as marching bands, local officials and floats galore made their way through the streets of Ironton Monday morning during the 144th annual Memorial Day Parade.
-
3 arrested for running meth lab
The Boyd County Sheriff's Department arrested three people after discovering a meth lab at a home in Rush.
-
Crowd deals with sizzling weather in paying respects
Although the weather called for scorching heat, many showed up to pay their respects at the Memorial Day celebration in Wurtland on Sunday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
2 recipes revealed in Sanders autobiography
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
