The Olentangy Board of Education officially hired Wade Lucas, Ed.D. to serve as Superintendent of Olentangy Local Schools during a special meeting held on January 20th. The board unanimously announced their intention to hire Lucas during a special meeting on December 17, 2008.
“We are proud to have found such a dynamic leader in Wade Lucas,” said Julie Wagner Feasel, board president. “He will serve the students, staff members and community residents of this great school system well to help all of us come together to take Olentangy to the next level of academic excellence.”
The board approved a four-year, four-month and nine-day contract beginning on March 23, 2009 and ending on July 31, 2013. Lucas will be paid an annual salary of $160,000 per year to serve as the Executive Officer for the board including the general supervision and management of all schools and personnel of the growing Olentangy school system. Other compensation and benefits incorporated in the contract include term life insurance; supplemental compensation for the Superintendent’s use of his own vehicle and cell phone in discharging the responsibilities of his position; medical, dental and other group health insurance; vacation, holiday and personal days in accordance with other 12-month administrators; a tax-sheltered annuity; pick up and pay of the Superintendent’s share of mandatory STRS contributions in addition to the board’s share of such contributions; an educational stipend; and, up to $11,000 in moving expenses for Lucas and his family. Lucas must also maintain his primary place of residence within the Olentangy Local School District. The total compensation for the first year of Lucas’ contract is $196,225. The full details of Lucas’ contract are available via the district’s Web site under the January 20 meeting “Exhibits” link at www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/district/board/mtgs.html.
“The board wanted to offer a fair and competitive contract to Dr. Lucas,” said Wagner Feasel. “Olentangy is first and foremost focused on finding quality people and then works to offer reasonable compensation that will help us to keep these great educators in our district, working for our students.”
Since April 2007, Lucas has served as the Superintendent of Green Local Schools in Green, Ohio. He also served as the Assistant Principal/Athletic Director and Superintendent at Coshocton City Schools from August 1997 to April 2007. Prior to his administrative experience, he was an elementary school teacher in Coshocton and Mt. Vernon City Schools from 1989 to 1998. Lucas holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio; a master’s degree in education from Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio; and an educational doctorate in educational administration from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.
Green Local Schools received an “Excellent with Distinction” rating on their August 2008 state report card meeting 30 of the 30 indicators. The district also met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), had above expected growth on the value-added component and earned a Performance Index score of 104.1. With an average daily enrollment of 4,096 students, Green Local Schools is located in Summit County in Northeast Ohio.