Back To Square One As Columbus School Board Seeks Interim Head

The Columbus Board of Education is back to square one in its search for an interim superintendent. Until Tuesday, Ohio State University Provost Joseph Alutto was widely regarded as the board’s choice to head the district while a permanent replacement was sought. That changed with the resignation of Ohio State University President Gordon Gee. Alutto now will become OSU’s interim president upon Gee’s departure. Columbus Board of Education president Carol Perkins described Alutto’s loss this way: “When you’re talking about an individual with his caliber and experience it was very disappointing to have him withdraw,â€? Perkins says. School board member Mike Wiles says the board currently has no candidate in mind for the one-year position. Perkins says the board will seek input from Mayor Michael Coleman as well as business and community leaders to find someone with outstanding credentials. “We will continue to use both as possible resources to determine who or help us locate who the next interim will be,â€? Perkins says. The board has less than a month to complete the search and hiring process before Columbus City Schools Superintendent Gene Harris steps down. Board member Gary Baker: “Our hope is that a candidate will be identified and fully vetted by the end of June,â€? Baker says. Once the interim superintendent is in place, the Columbus Board of Education will turn its attention to hiring a permanent superintendent.