Dan Freund was welcomed to the Lucas administration staff in the familiar role of superintendent at the Lucas Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening.
As mandated by the law, Freund cannot officially start working until two months after his retirement, which began July 1. Thus, his start date at Lucas will be Sept. 1.
For the month of August, Linda T. Keller will serve as the interim superintendent at no cost to the board. Her services will be provided through the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
Keller will work part-time, serving as the superintendent for both Lucas Schools and the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center.
Keller explained that the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center serves three counties: Richland, Crawford, and Morrow. Lucas board president Roger Maglott inquired about the interim period to the service center, because it is a state law to have the superintendent position filled, and Keller was able to step in.
“Whatever the board needs,” she said. “I’m looking forward to fill in and happy to serve Lucas.”
During the interim, Freund said that he will be researching the district. He also has a trip planned in the upcoming weeks to see his grandchildren who live in California. In recent months, Freund expressed that his grandchildren are the main reason why he decided to retire from Mansfield City Schools.
“I’m excited to see them,” stated Freund. “I also love the Pacific Ocean.”
Freund has been involved in education for over 43 years, and for 17 of those years he filled administrative roles.
In addition to gaining new leadership at Lucas, the school is also welcoming 59 open enrollment students in kindergarten – twelfth grade for the upcoming school year.
Also, Richard Kyle Pertuset was hired as the high school social studies teacher, along with Naomi Jackson, who was hired as the Intervention Specialist for grades 3 – 5.
