Public Meetings

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On Monday, January 25, the Ada Exempted Village Schools issued the following announcement cancelling the current search for a new superintendent. The board has a closed door executive session scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on February 1. Members of the Board of Education are President Matt Gossman, Vice-President Amy Mullins, Ron Fleming, Ted Griffith and Steve Ramey.

"The Ada Exempted Village Schools Board of Education has decided to cancel the current search for a Superintendent who will replace Superintendent Robin Van Buskirk following her retirement. 

"The Board will select an interim Superintendent who will serve the District for the 2023-2024 school year. The Board made this decision following one candidate in the current search receiving a copy of the questions intended for the interview process. 

"The questions were delivered to the candidate anonymously and the Board has not been able to identify the source of the copy of the advance questions. 

"Board President Matt Gossman explained, 'How can we proceed with a Superintendent search when the credibility of the search has been irreparably damaged by someone who violated the trust and integrity of this search process.  Finding the next leader of our schools is a sacred responsibility and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that the process is transparent and fair to all candidates.'"

Current superintendent Robin VanBuskirk was hired in October 2021, having previously served the district as Director of Teaching and Learning and as K-12 Principal.

Larry Claypool served as interim superintendent from about September 2021-November 2021.

Meri Skilliter served as superintendent from January 2017- July 2021.

Dr. Suzanne Darmer served as superintendent from January 2007-December 2016.

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Planning commission hearing rescheduled; EMS annual report

By Paula Scott

At the January 24 meeting of the Ada Council, council president Jeff Oestrich conducted the meeting in the absence of Mayor Dave Retterer, who was unwell. Councilor Linda Mason was also absent. Council members present in addition to the president were Sean Beck, Sheila Coressel, Jason Campbell and Bob Simmons.

A Planning Commission meeting had been scheduled prior to the council meeting but did not have a quorum. This meeting, which will consider rezoning property owned by Wilson Sporting Goods, has been rescheduled for 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7. 

The council approved four claims registers, which are attached within the council packet.

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Due to lack of a quorum on Tuesday, January 25, the Village of Ada has announced a new public hearing date for the Ada Planning Commission:

On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Ada Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the matter of changing three parcels, formerly known as 218, 220 and 226 N. Liberty from Residential II (R2) to Industrial II (I2). This change is being requested by the Wilson’s Football Factory.

The hearing will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Ada Village Council Chambers located at 115 W. Buckeye, Ada, Ohio.

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The next meeting of the Village of Ada Council is at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24 on the second floor of the Ada Municipal Building, 115 Buckeye Ave.

Minutes from the prior meeting are HERE.

The meeting may also be attended online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83887133917?pwd=a0FDcU1LUTJnWk5URk8yRmVEbUorUT09

A listing of other upcoming public meetings can be found on the Classifieds page under Notices.

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Carla Cole hired as executive secretary, effective March 1

By Paula Scott

Having held its 2023 reorganizational meeting the week earlier, the Ada Schools Board of Education met on January 19 to hear and review reports from the treasurer, principals and superintendent. (Attached agenda HERE.)

In attendance were school staff members, the Kenton Times and Ada Icon. All board members, listed here, were in attendance: Ronald Fleming; Matt Gossman; Ted Griffith, Steve Ramey and Amy Mullins. The meeting was conducted by Mr. Gossman, who is the new board president.

Following a 15-minute closed door executive session to discuss employment and compensation, the board heard administrative reports.

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By Paula Scott

A third Neighborhood Revitalization meeting was held on January 14 to further develop a grant application that could raise as much as $750,000 to improve certain areas of the village.

Discussion revolved around what projects are allowed and favored by the state and what areas of the village may be included in the application. Areas north of North Ave./State Route 81 and south of Lima Ave. cannot be part of the application.

Following this meeting, cost estimates will be generated for a variety of proposed projects. To allow time for this, the next meeting has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 18 at the Depot, 9 Central Ave.

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