Steve Sayers Named Permanent Superintendent of Kenston Schools
After several months, the Kenston Schools Board of Education finally named a permanent superintendent for the district.
After several months, the Kenston Schools Board of Education finally named a permanent superintendent for the district.
During the Dec. 12 regular meeting, school board members unanimously voted to appoint Steven Sayers — who had been serving the district as interim superintendent since the summer — to a two-year contract with a salary of $162,500 through July 31 of 2025.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Sayers as the new superintendent of Kenston local schools. Mr. Sayers brings 20 years of superintendent experience and has already shown tremendous leadership in the few months that he has been at Kenston,” said board President Neysa Gaskins in a statement. “The board is confident that he will continue to excel in our district while bringing a new vision and enthusiasm to not only our students, but to our teachers, administrators and staff, as well. His strong analytical skills and financial prowess will enable the district to become more financially sound, while maintaining the high academic standards Kenston is known for.”
Sayers was named interim superintendent on Aug. 1, replacing Nancy Santilli, who stepped down at the end of July to accept a position as assistant superintendent at the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, families, staff and community of the Kenston local schools. Over the last four months, Kenston has proven its reputation of being an outstanding district. As its leader, I will build upon the strong foundation as we provide each student with a high quality, personalized educational experience while operating efficiently as good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Sayers said. “I want to thank everyone who has welcomed me to the community. I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships to foster student success.”
Sayers’ educational career began in 1987 at Keystone High School in LaGrange as a math teacher, athletic director and varsity basketball coach.
In 1994, he left the classroom to become the assistant principal at Midview Middle School and in 1996, became the principal at Wellington High School.
In 1997, Sayers returned to Midview Schools in Grafton where he served as principal and in 2001, he transitioned to district administration when he was named the director of personnel at Lakewood Schools.
Continuing to advance his educational leadership, Sayers was named superintendent of Southeast Schools in Apple Creek in 2003 and became superintendent of Amherst Exempted Village Schools in 2008, where he retired and was rehired in 2015, serving through June of 2022.
Sayers’ areas of expertise include a record of fiscal responsibility coupled with high-quality performance and the ability to consolidate and restructure services for greater efficiency, according to Kenston Schools.
Sayers received his Master’s in School Administration degree from Ashland University and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Kent State University and an Associate of Arts degree from Lorain County Community College.
“Mr. Sayers has an extremely positive attitude, especially when he interacts with our students in all of their different settings,” Gaskins said. “Everyone who meets him is impressed with his warmth, compassion and optimistic attitude. Our school community is in great hands with Mr. Sayers as our leader.”
