By Gongwer Staff
Posted: April 10, 2023 8:35 AM

Stephanie Siddens, the interim state superintendent of public instruction, is set to exit the Department of Education as lawmakers contemplate an overhaul of the agency.

The Upper Arlington City School District's Board of Education plans to vote to appoint Ms. Siddens as deputy superintendent at its Tuesday meeting, according to an agenda posted on the district's website.

Ms. Siddens confirmed that she intends to take the position with the suburban Columbus school system in a Twitter post, writing that she tentatively would start her new job July 1.

"It is an honor to serve the students and schools of Ohio as interim superintendent and I stand ready to work on a successful transition," she wrote.

ODE spokesman Chad Eberly said in an email that Ms. Siddens, a longtime department official who previously served as senior executive director of the agency's Center for Student Supports, has committed to working through June in her current role.

Two Republican senators who have key roles regarding a proposal (SB 1) that would restructure the Department of Education and its leadership said they respect Ms. Siddens' work and her service to Ohio.

"It is clear however that the governing structure at the Ohio Department of Education does not work," Sen. Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) said. "The State Board of Education has had two years to hire a full-time leader and has failed. We are at a critical crossroads with far too many students falling through the cracks. I urge the General Assembly to move Senate Bill 1 for our children and our constituents. If we work together, we can move Ohio forward."

Added Sen. Andy Brenner (R-Powell), the chair of the Senate Education Committee: "Dr. Siddens did a good job and we wish her well. This provides an opportunity for a new process and accountability that will be established under Senate Bill 1, which we need to pass immediately."

State Board of Education President Paul LaRue said in an interview Friday that Ms. Siddens has done a "fabulous job" filling the interim superintendent role on two separate occasions following the departures of Paolo DeMaria and Steve Dackin.

"She's done a fantastic job," he said. "She's been with the department for a number of years and stepped in, and she has been all about education."

Mr. LaRue gave specific praise to Ms. Siddens for her efforts to help lead a statewide early literacy push alongside Gov. Mike DeWine.

DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said in an email that the governor had spoken with Ms. Siddens and thanked her for "the good work she has done at the Ohio Department of Education on behalf of Ohio's school children."

Board Vice President Martha Manchester said Ms. Siddens will be missed at ODE.

"I am sorry to see her leave us because she has been a great superintendent, a great leader," she said.

Board member Charlotte McGuire, who previously served as the panel's president, called Ms. Siddens' departure "a loss to Ohio."

"Stephanie was very student centered and always concerned about our student outcomes," she said.

Ms. Siddens was seen as a potential permanent leader for ODE before lawmakers began considering companion plans (SB 1 & HB 12) to strip most responsibilities from the state board and the superintendent position. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, September 21, 2022)

Mr. LaRue, who said he was not sure if Ms. Siddens' decision to leave the agency is linked to that development, said he expects the board will discuss the department's succession plan at its coming April meeting.

A resolution to award a contract for a search firm to help the board find a permanent superintendent is one of 19 items on the panel's voting agenda for Tuesday.

The panel voted 13-4 at its March meeting to postpone a decision the resolution for the second time in four months. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, March 20, 2023)

John Hagan, who introduced the search firm resolution last year, has led efforts to pause a vote on it in recent months due to uncertainty over the agency's future related to SB1 and HB12.

The companion measures, which have been identified as priority measures by Republican leaders in each chamber, would rename ODE as the Department of Education and Workforce and place a gubernatorial appointee atop the agency.

The board-hired superintendent, currently the leader of the agency, would cede much of his or her authority to the new department's director and agency staff.

While Mr. Hagan has argued the lack of clarity over the position's future would scare off most qualified candidates from applying if the board begins a search, a handful of left-leaning members have pushed for the panel to move forward to prevent lawmakers from citing its inaction as further evidence of the need for SB1 and HB12.

Sen. Brenner previously advised the board not to vote on hiring a search firm until its May meeting, arguing that the panel should have a clearer sense of the legislation's future as budget deadlines draw closer.

The board is scheduled to receive a presentation from Ms. Siddens on graduation requirements and supports to open its two-day meeting Monday morning. Her report is set to be followed by four committee meetings. (Time Schedule)