MANSFIELD — Jeremy Secrist is stepping away from the role of superintendent, but not the world of education.
The board of the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center is expected to hire the departing Lexington superintendent as director of grants and special projects during a special meeting on Monday.
According to the meeting agenda, the board will vote on offering Secrist a three-year contract in the role previously handled by Amy Wood. Wood submitted her resignation earlier this year in order to take on a different role at the MOESC, according to her resignation letter.
Educational service centers are public entities established under Ohio law to support public, private and charter schools. They do so by providing contracted services that districts may only need part time, as well as training and other support.
ESCs can offer professional development for teachers and administrators, assist in recruiting teachers and administrators and apply for state or federal grants on behalf of school districts, according to Ohio law.
ESCs function as large-scale service providers, according to the Ohio Educational Service Center Association. Every school district with an enrollment of 16,000 or fewer students is required to affiliate with an ESC.
MOESC serves school districts throughout Crawford, Morrow and Richland Counties.
Its team includes a diverse group of experts, including curriculum, gifted, and special education consultants, speech pathologists, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, according to its website.
Secrist said he will be ‘forever in gratitude’ for his time at Lexington
Secrist, who has spent the last six years as Lexington’s superintendent, submitted his resignation to the school board on Thursday, which stated he would be resigning July 31 pending the approval of his new job.
Lexington school board president Keith Stoner confirmed Thursday morning that Secrist had been looking for a new position for some time.
“Unfortunately for the district and fortunately for him, I think he’s found it,” Stoner said. “I’m excited for him and a little sad for us.”
Secrist’s resignation letter expressed gratitude to board members for their support during his tenure.
“Despite a changing landscape in public education, erosion of funding and countless challenges since het world changed in 2020, you have assisted me in leading this district forward,” he wrote.
Secrist also sent a letter to district staff, which he shared with local media.
“I want to start by saying how deeply appreciative I am of everything you do each day, the impact you have on the lives of our students and your colleagues, and the difference you have made in the lives of my four children,” Secrist told Lexington staff.
“You are strong, supportive, and compassionate, as evidenced in how you continue to show up for each other and our community in times of need,” he added.
Secrist has worked for Lexington Local Schools for 15 years.
“My family and I are ready for the next chapter in our lives, and we know that we will forever be in gratitude for our time in the Lexington Local School District,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
The Lexington school board will meet in special session next week to accept Secrist’s resignation after he’s been officially hired for his new role, Stoner said.
