Kenston Schools Appoints New Superintendent
Kenston Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Bruce R. Willingham Jr. as superintendent for the next three school years during a special meeting April 26.
Kenston Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to appoint Bruce R. Willingham Jr. as superintendent for the next three school years during a special meeting April 26.
“As a board, we were very impressed with Dr. Willingham’s ability to be a visionary leader and his commitment to achievement,” said board President Tom Manning in a statement. “He possesses an abundance of experience in the areas that will take Kenston to the next level of excellence. His personality and character will fit in nicely with our culture and traditions here at Kenston.”
Willingham, who was hired at an annual salary of $162,000 effective Aug. 1, will be replacing Steve Sayers who will be stepping down at the end of July after citing family reasons for his decision in a letter to parents Feb. 26.
“The academic excellence and student-first focus is what drew me to the district as I’m coming from a district with those same values,” Willingham said.
According to Kenston Schools, Willingham is an experienced educator and administrator who started his career in education as an English Language Arts teacher. He left the classroom in 2002 to become an assistant principal at Maple Heights City Schools, then became principal in 2003.
In 2005, Willingham was promoted to assistant superintendent/director of personnel at Maple Heights City Schools, remaining there until 2016.
Before coming to Kenston, Willingham was Superintendent at Midview Schools, where he will serve through the end of July.
During his tenure as superintendent, Willingham developed and implemented plans placing Midview Schools on a strong financial path, thus equipping them to be financially sound, according to Kenston Schools.
Willingham’s commitment to improving opportunities led to the success of students academically and to the expansion of Advanced Placement, College Career Plus and Career Technical Education programs at the secondary level, the district said.
“Dr. Willingham received his Doctor of Educational Leadership (degree) from Ashland University. He also holds his Master’s of Education (degree) and principal licensure from John Carroll University and a Bachelor’s of Science in Education (degree) from Cleveland State University,” the district added.
Willingham expressed being most excited about getting to know the staff and students at Kenston Schools.
”From everything I have seen, the staff has built amazing relationships with students that have helped them excel both inside the classroom and out, and being a part of something so special is really a dream come true,” Willingham said.
