New Albany-Plain Local Schools Superintendent

The Superintendent Search:

New Albany-Plain Local Schools is seeking a highly accomplished, visionary, and results-oriented leader for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The Board of Education is committed to identifying an experienced educational executive who brings a demonstrated record of achieving measurable academic and developmental outcomes, building a culture of accountability, and leading with integrity, transparency, and a deep commitment to every student, family, and staff member in the Learning Community.

The Board seeks a superintendent who is not only an exceptional educational leader but also a skilled manager of people, programs, finances, facilities, and partnershipssomeone who understands that the reliability and accountability of every district system, from curriculum and instruction to business operations, safety, transportation, nutrition, and community engagement, directly supports the mission of creating the best possible outcomes for each student.

Preferred Start Date: August 1, 2026

Community Information about New Albany:

New Albany, Ohio, is a nationally recognized, master-planned community located approximately 10 miles northeast of Columbus in one of the fastest-growing regions of the Midwest. Situated within a 23-square-mile school district, New Albany represents a rare convergence of visionary planning, civic investment, and a deep, enduring commitment to educational excellence.

Founded in 1837 and revitalized through intentional, balanced growth over the past three decades, New Albany has evolved into a vibrant community. It was recognized in 2015 by Business Insider as America's Best Suburb, a distinction rooted not in geography alone, but in the deliberate choices made by residents, business leaders, developers, government entities, and its schools to pursue a shared vision.

Home to approximately 11,000 residents and a growing global business community, New Albany attracts diverse families and professionals from across the country and around the world. Our unique Learning Community Campus, a 120-acre Georgian-architectural campus connected by tree-lined walkways and surrounded by an 80-acre nature preserve, is geographically centered to serve the City of New Albany (48% of student population), Plain Township (7% of student population), and identified portions of other Central Ohio communities (45% of student population), dominantly parts of the City of Columbus, all within the school district's state-defined area symbolizing the foundational belief that education is the cornerstone of community life.

About the New Albany Schools:

New Albany-Plain Local Schools (NAPLS) is one of Ohio's highest-performing public school systems and a recognized leader in student achievement, student growth, student well-being, and community engagement. Serving approximately 5,100 preschool through twelfth-grade students through a cohesive, campus-style Learning Community, NAPLS consistently sets the standard for academic excellence, student development, and institutional integrity. NAPLS anticipates an increased enrollment of 1,000 additional students during the next decade. NAPLS consistently earns an overall five-star rating on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Local Report Card, often achieving five stars across all performance components as well, placing it among the most elite public school systems in the state.

Statement of Purpose: NAPLS is Committed to Fostering an Environment of Kindness, Dignity, and Respect.

Values Statement: NAPLS is Committed to Fostering an Environment of Kindness, Dignity, and Respect.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned master's degree or doctorate in educational leadership, administration, or a closely related field.
• Valid Ohio Superintendent's License/Certificate.
• A minimum of fifteen years of successful experience in education, with at least ten years of administrative experience at the building or district level preferred.
• Proven record of achievement across multiple areas including curriculum and instruction; assessment and data analysis; human resources; business and financial management; facilities management, renovation, and/or construction; school safety and security; student and staff well-being; and community and governmental relations.
• Experience serving in a high-performing, community-engaged school district strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, hiring, developing, evaluating, and retaining diverse, high-quality employees across multiple employee classifications.
• Knowledge of and experience in the collective bargaining process and administration of negotiated agreements.
• Demonstrated experience with campus-level or district-level facilities planning, capital program oversight, and construction project management.
• Proven track record of sound fiscal management, budget development, long-range financial planning, and transparent financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated ability to create, implement, and progress-monitor continuous improvement plans based on performance data, research, and best practices.
• Knowledge of The R Factor or comparable frameworks for organizational culture, personal accountability, and professional development, or a demonstrated ability and willingness to learn.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including public speaking, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and Board reporting.
• Strong observational, planning, organizational, time management, problem-solving, analytical, and prioritization skills.
• Demonstrated use of interpersonal techniques consistent with NAPLS values, including tact, patience, kindness, dignity, and respect, in all professional interactions.
• Prior experience in or demonstrated understanding of the public and/or private business sector, with emphasis on partnership development and community engagement.

• Commitment to one's own personal well-being and work-life balance.

Leadership Profile - The Ideal Candidate:

The Board of Education seeks an experienced, dynamic, and deeply collaborative educational leadersomeone who combines visionary strategic thinking with proven management expertise, authentic relationship-building, data-driven decision-making, and an unwavering commitment to student outcomes. The next Superintendent will lead one of Ohio's highest-performing school districts and will be expected to sustain, elevate, and expand upon its exceptional legacy.

Drawing on the competencies that define leadership excellence across the district's administrative team, including the frameworks, responsibilities, and knowledge areas that guide leadership throughout NAPLS, the Board seeks a superintendent who demonstrates mastery across the following domains:

I. Vision, Strategy, and Continuous Improvement

• Brings a compelling, data-informed vision for instructional excellence, student achievement, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.
• Deep knowledge of current research, best practices, and emerging trends in PreK12 curriculum, assessment, and instruction across all program areas.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and administer continuous improvement goals, benchmarks, and measures to ensure all staff understand their role in achieving them.
• Leads the Annual Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) process with rigor, transparency, and a commitment to annual, quantifiable progress toward district-wide achievement goals.
• Uses data for continuous improvement, analyzing performance data at the district, school, classroom, and student level to drive daily decisions, diagnose challenges, and identify solutions.

• Prioritizes workload effectively across multiple complex projects and resolves conflicting demands with sound judgment and organizational discipline.

II. Academic Leadership: Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction

• Provides vision, planning, implementation, and accountability for the district's core curricula, assessment systems, and instructional programs in PreK through grade 12.
• Leads the assessment of current instructional practices and makes data-supported recommendations for improvement.
• Reviews, approves, and monitors program-related research activities to ensure evidence-based practice across all academic departments.
• Oversees the coordination of professional development for certified/licensed staff, ensuring that every professional development experience is aligned to student outcomes and district improvement goals.
• Provides leadership in supporting beginning teachers and educators or non-teaching personnel new to the district with structured coaching and professional growth.

• Maintains oversight of state, federal, and grant-funded academic programs, fulfilling all compliance and reporting requirements.

III. Operational Excellence: Business, Finance, and Facilities

The next Superintendent of NAPLS must understand that operational excellence is not ancillary to educational excellenceit is foundational to it. The reliability and accountability of every support systembusiness services, facilities, transportation, child nutrition, safety, and technologydirectly contributes to the fulfillment of the district's purpose. The Board seeks a superintendent who:

• Demonstrates working knowledge and demonstrated experience facilitating or implementing Ohio school law, public school finance, state funding formulas, budget development, long-range financial planning, federal grant management, contract administration, purchasing practices, and fiscal stewardship.
• Provides leadership and oversight in partnership with the Treasurer/CFO and members of the leadership team for the development of the annual budget and multi-year financial planning.

• Has experience leading or supporting successful levy, permanent improvement, and/or bond campaigns grounded in community trust and demonstrated financial credibility.

• Communicates financial priorities transparently to the community and Board, building confidence that public resources are invested wisely and in direct service of students.

• Understands and can navigate contracts with outside agencies, insurance programs, and applicable state and local regulatory requirements.

• Maintains confidentiality as required by direction, district policy, and Ohio and federal law.

VI. Communication, Transparency, and Community Engagement

• Exhibits excellent oral and written communication skills with students, families, faculty, staff, Board members, civic leaders, business partners, governmental officials, and the media.
• Demonstrates authentic transparency in decision-making.
• Proactively shares information, welcomes input, and provides a consistent, organized body of information to all stakeholders.
• Routinely and regularly attends school, community, and business functions to promote a positive, engaged, and visible school climate.
• Actively engages with and serves as a positive role model for students, parents and guardians, community members, and philanthropic and business partners.
• Prepares and presents high-quality Board of Education agenda items, reports, and presentations, and completes all required follow-up actions after Board action.

• Contributes to public information documents, community communications, and media relations as the district's primary spokesperson.

VII. Partnerships: Local, Civic, Business, Governmental, and Philanthropic

The next Superintendent will serve as the district's primary ambassador to the broader community to develop and sustain relationships that bring resources, opportunity, and civic alignment to NAPLS students. Specifically, the Board seeks a leader who will:

• Serve as the primary liaison to city leaders, political subdivisions, and local and state governmental agencies to advocate for the district's interests and represent the Learning Community with credibility and professionalism.
• Cultivate and deepen relationships with NAPLS's major corporate and business neighbors to expand workforce readiness, STEM programming, career pathways, and career-connected learning opportunities for students.
• Serve as a visible, enthusiastic ambassador to the philanthropic community to engage individual donors, corporate philanthropists, and businesses as essential partners in sustaining programs and facilities that distinguish NAPLS.
• Work with citizen groups, community organizations, civic associations, and nonprofit partners to advance student well-being, family engagement, and lifelong learning across the community.

• Develop and sustain collaborative relationships with higher education partners, leveraging these connections to expand advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and college readiness programming for students.

VIII. Campus Safety, Security, and Emergency Operations

The safety of every student, staff member, and visitor on the NAPLS campus is a non-negotiable priority. The next Superintendent will provide leadership for the comprehensive safety and security of the Learning Community, including:

• Providing leadership for the monitoring, implementation, and administration of campus-wide safety and security plans, protocols, and programs, including annual review, revision, and submission as required by state officials.
• Collaborating with the New Albany Police Department, School Resource Officers, the K9 Unit, the Plain Township Fire Department, and other local safety and enforcement agencies assigned to the district.
• Overseeing the development of all Emergency Operations Plans, campus-wide safety drills, and reporting requirements.
• Ensuring compliance with all state requirements for threat assessment training, bullying reporting, fire safety inspections, and corrective action plans.
• Participating with the campus-wide Safety Committee and overseeing development of all student and parent communications related to school safety.

• Championing a safe, secure, and welcoming learning environment in which every student and staff member can thrive.

IX. Well-Being, Student Services, and The R Factor

• Provides visionary leadership for integrated student and staff well-being programs.
• Supports the coordination of staff wellness committee planning and programming.
• Oversees district-wide implementation, planning, programming, coordination, and professional development related to The R Factor, a cultural and accountability framework embedded across all levels of the NAPLS organization.

• Actively supports student services programs, ensuring quality, safety, and alignment with the district's commitment to each student.

X. Policy, Governance, and Board Relations

• Demonstrates thorough understanding of Board governance principles, roles, and responsibilities and commits to a productive, professional, and respectful working relationship with all Board members.
• Formulates proposals for revision and development of Board policies and administrative guidelines to ensure they reflect legal requirements, best practices, and community values.
• Supports the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities by providing timely, complete, and accurate information.
• Reviews legislation and legal interpretations affecting all areas of school district operations.

• Administers a system to address legal issues in cooperation with the Board of Education, CFO/Treasurer, Superintendent's cabinet, school attorneys, and other appropriate parties.

XI. Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, and Accountability

• Approaches complex, multifaceted challenges with analytical rigor, creative thinking, and sound, data-driven judgment.
• Identifies and analyzes problems, proposes plausible solutions, and implements corrective action plans while communicating progress clearly to the Board and community.
• Conducts, succinctly summarizes, and acts upon investigations as required.
• Maintains confidentiality and adherence to all applicable laws and policies.
• Makes informed, accountable decisions in a fast-paced environment, including high-profile, high-pressure, and time-sensitive situations, with composure and clarity.
• Demonstrates the ability to adjust, adapt, and respond to inquiries, concerns, and emerging issues in a timely and professional manner.

• Models intellectual honesty and humility to acknowledge failure, commit to concrete corrective action, and pursue growth, just as the district expects of all staff.

XII. Technology Proficiency and Data-Driven Leadership

• Technologically proficient across a wide range of educational and operational platforms, including student information systems, assessment platforms, financial management systems, and safety software.
• Champions the use of technology as a tool for instructional improvement, operational efficiency, community communication, and data-informed decision-making.
• Oversees the use of district facilities software and operational systems to ensure reliability, data integrity, and alignment to district needs.
• Synthesizes and disseminates research and performance data in clear, actionable formats for administrators, staff, the Board, and the community.

Terms of Employment & Compensation:

The New Albany-Plain Local Schools Board of Education will offer a competitive, negotiable, and comprehensive compensation package commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected candidate.

Contract: A multiyear contract with provisions for annual performance review and evaluation, including measurable performance benchmarks.

Salary: Highly competitive; commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications.

Performance Incentive: Annual performance incentive compensation eligibility for achieving measurable outcomes aligned to the district's Statement of Purpose, CIP benchmarks, or as otherwise mutually agreed upon with the Board of Education.

Benefits: A comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement contributions consistent with applicable Ohio retirement systems.

Work Year: 260-day administrative contract, excluding annual vacation and personal leave.

Application:

The application deadline is May 8th, 2026.

All applications will be processed online.

Visit https://www.escco.org/newalbanysuperintendentsearch2026 to complete an application.

For information regarding the position, please contact:
Wade Lucas, Ed.D.
Client Services Representative
614.440.1978

Wade.Lucas@escco.org

For further information regarding the application process, please contact:
Jen Iceman
Human Resources Director
ESC of Central Ohio
614.753.4719

Jennifer.Iceman@escco.org

Timeline:

April 28. 2026 Announcement of Vacancy
May 8, 2026 (by Noon) Application Deadline
May 2026 First-Round Interviews Begin

May 2026 Second-Round Interviews
On or before June 8, 2026 Board Action to Employ