Picture From Left to Right: Dr. Jere Butcher, Mr. Mark Kowalski, Mr. Phil Hunt, Mr. David Shutt, & Mrs. Susan Mann
Coshocton City Schools Board of Education Hires New Superintendent
COSHOCTON, Ohio – The Coshocton City Schools Board of Education voted Thursday, April 27, to hire Mr. Ronald “Mark” Kowalski as the district’s next superintendent. He begins August 1, 2023. Mr. Kowalski replaces Dr. Dave Hire, who previously announced his resignation.
Mr. Kowalski currently serves as superintendent of the Liberty-Benton Local School District and has been in his current role since August 2017. Liberty-Benton is in northwest Ohio, near Findlay in Hancock County. The district is home to about 1,500 students.
The Coshocton City Schools Board of Education, with support from the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center, began its superintendent search in March. Eight candidates expressed interest in the position and were interviewed by the Board of Education before it selected Mr. Kowalski.
“After an extensive search and interviewing several quality candidates, the Coshocton City Board of Education is pleased to welcome Mark Kowalski BACK to Coshocton. Mark brings experience as a superintendent and has displayed the leadership qualities for education and extracurricular activities that our district so desperately needs; without a doubt Mark will embrace what it means to be a REAL Redskin,” said Phil Hunt, Board President. “We received input from our staff, administrators and public on the direction we want the district to move, not just in the recent weeks, but over the last several months. We look forward to working with Mark by creating a new path for Coshocton City Schools,” Hunt said. “The Board would like to thank Muskingum Valley ESC and their staff for assisting us with this search, they have been a great partner during this process,” Hunt added.
Mr. Kowalski brings nearly 30 years’ experience in public education with him to Coshocton City Schools. He spent nine years teaching, including four years (2000 – 2004) at Coshocton High School as a social studies teacher. Mr. Kowalski has 20 years’ experience as an administrator holding various positions at Harrison Hills City School District before accepting his current position as superintendent at Liberty-Benton.
“I am privileged and honored to be selected as the next superintendent of Coshocton City Schools. I would like to thank the Coshocton City Schools Board of Education for the great opportunity to lead this district as we embark on a journey toward excellence,” Kowalski said. “By involving all stakeholders in our school community, I hope to build collaborative relationships to ensure that excellence is achieved in academics, arts, athletics, and the community can be proud of the ‘Home of the Redskins,’” he added.