(Posted March 18, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London City Schools has hired a new superintendent.
On March 10, the school board awarded a five-year contract effective Aug. 1 to Dr. Louis Kramer, currently superintendent at Northeastern Local Schools in Clark County. Kramer starts on Aug. 1, replacing Tom Ben who retires July 31. His annual salary will be $129,900.
The board started the search for Ben’s replacement in November with assistance from K-12 Business Consulting. They determined what they were looking for in a new superintendent based on information provided by parents, teachers, administrators and support staff.
The board reviewed the credentials of 20 candidates, then conducted interviews with seven semi-finalists in early February. They conducted second interviews with three finalists on Feb. 26.
“Dr. Kramer’s track record in support-ing high student achievement and his overall experience as a teacher and administrator made him a strong candidate from the beginning,” said Marvin Homan, board president. “We believe he has the expertise to work with the board, the staff, and community to establish an exemplary vision and direction for the future.”
Kramer has served as superintendent at Northeastern since 2011. Since January of this year, he also has served as interim superintendent of the Clark County Educational Service Center in Springfield. From 2008 to 2011, Kramer was the director of curriculum and instruction for Mad River Local School District in Montgomery County. His administrative experience also includes serving as principal of Mechanicsburg High School, as an elementary principal in the Elmwood Local School District, and as an elementary principal in the Lakota Local School District.
Before becoming an administrator, Kramer taught at Cedarville Elementary and New Riegel Elementary. He received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Dayton in 1996, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Ohio State University in 2008, and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University in 2010.
Kramer is a member of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators and is active with that group’s technology and board of regents committees. He also is a credentialed Ohio Principal Evaluation System administrator.
Kramer and his wife, Janet, live in Mechanicsburg. They have four children, ranging in age from first through eighth grade.
As for why the London position appealed to him, Kramer said, “This is a district that has a good amount of resources in place…The board is cohesive on raising student achievement and making this a destination district.”
He likes that London does not take a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather works to meet the varying needs of all students. He said that characteristic makes the district attractive not only to residents but also to residents of neighboring districts.
After meeting board members, administrators and staff members, Kramer said he is “excited” to get started.
Through July 31, Kramer will provide consulting services to London City Schools as needed at a rate of $499.62 per day. He officially starts as superintendent Aug. 1.
