Educational Service Center of Central Ohio Superintendent

The Superintendent Search

The ESC of Central Ohio is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Superintendent. The Board of Education seeks an effective and experienced leader in education and administration. It is preferred that the new Superintendent will begin August 1, 2026.

Community Information About ESC Of Central Ohio

The ESC of Central Ohio is located in Columbus, Ohio, a vibrant and fast-growing hub at the heart of the region's educational, civic, and economic activity. Surrounded by a diverse mix of schools, families, businesses, and community partners, the ESC serves as a central connector across schools and the broader Central Ohio community. Its Columbus location places the ESC at an accessible crossroads for educators and organizations across the region, reinforcing its role as a responsive, community-driven leader in advancing educational excellence.

About The ESC Of Central Ohio

The ESC of Central Ohio (ESC) provides school districts and schools with professional development, technology, human resources and administrative support, and direct student services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand equitable access to resources, and maximize operating and fiscal efficiencies.

The agency serves 29 client school districts and three career technical centers in Delaware, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Ross, and Union counties, with over 225,000 students impacted. In addition to these districts and schools, the ESC is able to provide support to any school or district, even if they're not a client district. The agency partners with the state of Ohio to provide support and services regionally and statewide. It also provides over 133,000 hours of professional learning and places over 3,200 active substitutes in schools.

Vision

An educational solutions agency meeting the needs of today, while remaining focused on the future, driven by innovation and choice.

Values

Respect, Service, Collaboration, Accountability

Leadership Criteria & Qualifications/Responsibilities

Our Superintendent shall be able to demonstrate the following:

• Foster a culture of trust and high expectations through authenticity, sincerity, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrate high ethical and professional behavior.
• Maintain high visibility and approachability among staff and member districts while promoting and maintaining positive relationships with mentor districts, other ESCs, and partners.
• Promote a client-centered culture in which staff are responsive, accessible, and solutions-oriented while ensuring services are tailored to the differing needs, size, and capacity of individual districts and partners through regular engagement and feedback.
• Anticipate emerging needs and lead the design of new programs and services that add value beyond what member districts and partners can provide on their own.

Terms Of Employment And Compensation

The Governing Board will provide a competitive and negotiable compensation package. A multi-year contract with provisions for annual review and evaluation will be offered. The actual salary and benefits will be commensurate with the education and experience of the candidate.

Application

The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

All applications will be processed online.

Visit to complete an application.

For Information Regarding The Position, Please Contact

Wade Lucas, Ed.D.

Client Services Representative

614.440.1978, [email protected]

For Further Information Regarding The Application Process, Please Contact

Jennifer Iceman

HR Director

ESC of Central Ohio

614.753.4719, [email protected]

Timeline*

March 13, 2026 Announcement of Vacancy

March 31, 2026 Application Deadline

TBD Interviews

TBD Board Action to Employ

August 1, 2026 Preferred Start Date

• Timeline subject to change

Board of Education

Barry Alcock, President

Amy Barnes, Vice President

Susan Kish

Chris Lopez

Krissy Machamer