After 17 years on the job, South-Western School District superintendent resigns ahead of retirement
The long-time South-Western City School District superintendent announced Monday he was resigning from the job at one of the largest school districts in the state.
Superintendent Bill Wise told the board of education on Monday that he was resigning after 17 years with the district. He will remain as superintendent until Aug. 1, 2024, as he prepares for retirement in 2025.
Wise charted a long career through SWCSD, first hired in 2002 and served as deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent of curriculum before he was selected as superintendent in 2007. His current contract was extended in 2020 and goes through 2027, The Dispatch previously reported.
Wise said he was "blessed to work with many talented staff, board, and community members."
"I have also benefited from the incredible work of others that came before me," Wise said. "My hope is that in some small way I will leave the district better than when I arrived. We have a history of building partnerships that propel us forward, which I am confident will continue."
In recognition of his "valued experience and leadership," the board chose to reassign Wise to the role of special assistant to the superintendent, effective Aug. 1, 2024, until his retirement on Aug. 31, 2025. Wise earns $264,580 as superintendent and the new role will be a continuation of his existing contracted salary.
South-Western City Schools is the sixth-largest district in the state with over 21,000 students and is the third-largest in central Ohio, trailing Columbus City Schools and Olentangy Local School District.
During his tenure, Wise oversaw the construction of 18 new school buildings and helped drive the district to its highest graduation rate in school district history, according to a release. The district has not had an operating levy since 2009, and expects a strong financial position for the next five years.
In all, Wise has seen 21,660 students graduate from SWCSD.
According to SWCSD Board President Chris Boso, Wise had a "wealth of history, knowledge, and expertise" that will be valuable in helping the district transition.
"With such experience in the role, he is uniquely positioned to help the board and a new superintendent bring about positive change on behalf of our community, while avoiding unintended missteps,” Boso said.
Effective immediately, the South-Western City School District Board of Education and district administration "will work collaboratively" as they work to find the district's next superintendent, according to a release.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: South-Western City Schools superintendent resigns
