CANTON: A native son is leading the city schools with Monday’s appointment of McKinley High School graduate Adrian Allison as interim superintendent.
The Board of Education promoted Allison to the position to replace Christopher Smith, who was superintendent at the time of his death Friday.
The board agreed to pay Allison an additional $5,000 for taking on extra duties during the remainder of his contract, which runs through July 31.
His annual salary now is $122,199, which includes $10,000 for serving as in-house legal counsel.
His experience includes serving as executive director of the Center for Accountability and Continuous Improvement at the Ohio Department of Education. He was also director of school improvement in Canton.
Allison was hired as assistant superintendent in May.
In other action, the board appointed Faith Kittoe as interim assistant superintendent. She will be paid $457.57 per day through July 31.
Kittoe most recently was employed by the Stark County Educational Service Center as an administrator assigned to work in local school districts.
Board member Ida Ross-Freeman cast the lone vote against hiring Kittoe, saying she would have preferred to promote someone within the district.
The board also recognized the Bulldog 100 as McKinley’s official booster club, replacing one that disbanded earlier this year.
The adult organization has supported basketball and football. Its leaders plan to expand assistance to the remaining 15 sports.
Nancy Molnar can be reached at nancymolnar2002@yahoo.com.