Board Appoints High School Principal Interim Superintendent
Dr. Hunt has lived and breathed Cardinal Schools since he walked in the door. With deep regret, I accept his resignation and wish him well and good fortune everywhere he goes. – Ken Klima
Cardinal Schools Superintendent Scott Hunt took the board of education unawares Feb. 27 when, after a short executive session, he announced he will be resigning effective April 1.
In a five-paragraph letter, Hunt explained he has taken a position with the Ohio Department of Education as executive director of field relations, reporting to the deputy superintendent.
“(I) will be responsible for providing direction and oversight of the department’s approach to interacting with Ohio’s education community,” he said. “In addition, I will coordinate and integrate field relations activities that will support the implementation of the Ohio Department of Education’s strategic plan: Each Child, Our Future.”
Since he took the reins six years ago, the district has established all-day, every-day kindergarten, brought back busing for all students, reinvigorated art and music programs, created the Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame, purchased technology for students, and repurposed the intermediate school into a science lab and the Cardinal Business Collaborative, among other accomplishments, he said.
“During the next month of transition, I will continue to be committed to working collaboratively with our board to support the many ongoing initiatives that are in progress while also ensuring that the district finishes this school year strong,” Hunt said.
Cardinal Schools Board of Education President Ken Klima said the resignation was unexpected, but he understood Hunt’s wish to improve his position.
“Dr. Hunt has lived and breathed Cardinal Schools since he walked in the door,” Klima said, adding the district can be proud the ODE chose a Cardinal superintendent for the position.
“With deep regret, I accept his resignation and wish him well and good fortune everywhere he goes,” he said.
After the board voted unanimously to accept Hunt’s resignation, which was followed by a round of applause from visitors and the board, Klima moved to the next order of business — how to replace Hunt.
“Have no fear, we have a plan,” Klima said, proposing Cardinal High School Principal Bill Kermavner, who was hired four months ago, be assigned as interim superintendent from April 1 until July 31, 2020.
“I’m sure he’s going to do an exceptionally fine job. Then we’ll come up with a plan,” Klima said.
According to Kermavner’s resume, he has experience in educational programming, has his superintendent’s license and 19 years of administrative experience. Core competencies include curriculum and instruction, employee evaluations, professional development and admissions management.
He was elementary and middle school administrator at the Cleveland Heights University Heights School from 2017 to 2018, collaborative director for the Lake County Educational Service Center from 2015 to 2017 and Lake Academy director through the Lake County Educational Service Center from 2012 to 2015.
From 2009 to 2011, Kermavner was curriculum coordinator and acting superintendent for Wickliffe City Schools where, during his tenure, the school’s report card for 2009-2010 was rated excellent with 25 or 26 indicators met and a performance index of 99.5 out of a possible 120 points.
