Ryan Scott Ottney

PDT Staff Writer

The Minford School Board and Superintendent Mark Wilcheck reached a mutual agreement during a regular school board meeting last week to part ways at the natural expiration of Wilcheck’s contract on Dec. 31.

Previously at Cardington Local Schools, north of Columbus, Wilcheck was hired by the Minford School Board in November 2008 to replace retiring Superintendent Dennis Meade. His first day with the district was in January 2009.

When Wilcheck began in 2009, Minford’s state report card (2008-09) graded the district “Effective” with a 92.7 performance index score and 21 out of 30 state indicators. By the 2011-12 school year, the district had grown to an “Excellent” rating with 97.7 performance index and 22 out of 26 state indicators.

In 2011, Wilcheck and the school board was at the center of a controversial plan to consolidate bus routes in the district. The board divided their support for the plan, which drew the ire of the community and the transportation union. The shouting among board members became so intense at one point, one board member walked-out in the middle of a meeting and quit the board in tears. The board later dropped its plan.

Since that time, Wilcheck’s relationship with the board has been stressed.

Last month, the school board held a series of three weekly special meetings to discuss Wilcheck’s contract in private executive session. When they met for regular meeting on Feb. 19, the board and Wilcheck agreed to part ways amicably.

“I thank the board for the opportunity to lead the district. I think academically they are an excellent district with their facilities, and financially things are moving forward and in good shape. I thank the staff for a great job that they’re doing in instruction and teaching our students, and I thank everyone for the work they are doing in our district,” Wilcheck said.

Wilcheck said he will continue as Minford’s superintendent until his contract expiration on Dec. 31, unless he finds another job before that date.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 287, or rottney@civitasmedia.com.