CANTON: New state rules requiring annual teacher evaluations have led the Canton Board of Education to create a new job category in the district: assistant elementary principal.
The board on Monday appointed 12 people to the positions. Some of the district’s 14 grade schools will share assistants.
Superintendent Adrian Allison said it would have been impractical to comply with the new regulations without additional staff. The new assistant principals also will be expected to improve instruction, he said.
The salaries of the new administrators range from $63,123 to $71,329.
The school board also named two “transformation specialists” who are charged with working with students, staff and families to ensure a high-quality educational experience.
Kim Kingsbury, former Dueber Elementary principal, and Aretha Paydock, a former principal in Elyria, will be paid $94,080 in those positions, which are also new this year.
Four other transformation specialists were appointed in June, but one resigned to take a job in another district.
Sherri Kitzmiller was hired as coordinator of special education at a salary of $82,033. She most recently worked as director of special services for West Branch schools.
Lisa Reicosky was hired as executive communications coordinator and district spokesperson at a salary of $73,216. She has been an education reporter at the Repository.
Stacy Hawthorne was hired as innovation and creativity strategist at a salary of $72,596. The superintendent said the position is a redesigned version of an existing job. Her duties will include helping teachers integrate technology into instruction. She had been a technology integration specialist in Medina schools.
In other business Monday, the school board authorized repairs at Fawcett Stadium. Coon Restoration & Sealants Inc. of Louisville already has performed the work for $64,445.
The job was done without seeking bids to make the stadium safer for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4, Allison said.
Nancy Molnar can be reached at nancymolnar2002@yahoo.com.