WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

The Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD) has announced the top two finalists for the position of superintendent. In May SCBDD named Randy Beach as interim superintendent.

The finalists for SCBDD Superintendent are, James Krumer, Superintendent/CEO of the State of Ohio’s Southwest Developmental Center and Robert K. Nicholson, Adult Services for Coshocton Board of Developmental Disabilities.

“The board has agreed that our finalists are those two, with one exception. If Mr. Beach decides that he would like to be considered on a permanent basis then we will grant him an interview for that position,” said Rodney Barnett, chairman of the SCBDD. “Our goal has always been to have a superintendent in place when the school year starts. I think we are certainly going to reach that goal early.”

Barnett said the second round of interviews will be conducted June 19th.

“The interview process was conducted by the executive director of the Ohio Association of County Boards Dan Ohler. He was the one that lead the search and conducted the interview, with input from the board,” Barnett said.

Former SCBDD supernatant Ben Hollinger announced his resignation in April.

Hollinger has accepted the position of Assistant Deputy Director for the Division of Policy and Strategic Direction with the Ohio Department of Development Disabilities (DODD).

“This was an extremely hard decision,” Hollinger said. “I had anticipated being in Scioto County for at least 5 years. I feel like the district is moving in a good direction. I’m confident the district will be able to continue in that direction but, I wish I could be here to help.”

Hollinger had been the Superintendent at the Scioto Board of DD since January of 2011.

He said some of his accomplishments as superintendent include, “when I came to the district in January of 2011 we had a projected deficit for that year of $750,000 and this year (2012) of over a million dollars,” Hollinger said. “Now we are projecting we are going to be very close to being in the black.”

He said other accomplishments include being able to save money and expanding services. He said one of the biggest challenges facing the district is finances.

“Ben brings the right mix of leadership, experience and passion for serving individuals from a community-driven perspective,” said Monty Kerr, DODD Deputy Director for the Division of Policy and Strategic Direction in a released statement. “He knows the true value in what we do is empowering people and supporting their choices in how they want to live—and that’s the very essence of our goals in supporting opportunities in community employment.”

For more information about the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities visit www.sciotodd.org.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.