Published: March 24, 2008 11:39 pm      

New super for Ashland

See related story at right

ASHLAND — Mayor Steve Gilmore will be Ashland’s new school superintendent.

The Ashland Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to hire Gilmore to fill the post being left vacant when Phil Eason leaves in June.

Gilmore’s three-year contract, at a starting salary of $105,000 per year, begins July 1.

“I’m very excited to have Steve as superintendent,” Paul E. Stringer, board chairman, said. “He’s earned a lot of respect over the years.”

Gilmore was one of three finalists for the position. A former administrator in the district, he retired in 1996 as an assistant superintendent after a career spanning 29 years.

Gilmore said he could bring his mayoral experience to bear on school issues.

“There are some of the same things we have to deal with — no money but things to fix,” he said. “Being mayor of Ashland was the best experience of my life. Being superintendent will be an experience equal to that.”

As mayor he pitches the city to developers, who are invariably interested in the quality of the schools. Now, he’ll be using his contacts with the business community to build relationships that will help the district, he said.

Gilmore became mayor in 2002 after his predecessor, Paul Reeves, was forced to resign in a child pornography scandal.

“I promised leadership then, and I feel I’ve delivered leadership,” he said.

“I’ve promised the board of education leadership and I intend to deliver leadership to them.”

His approach to running the district will boil down to a total emphasis on classroom instruction, Gilmore said.

That goes for every staffer in the district, from the people who drive the buses on up, he said.

Gilmore’s hiring was anticipated by many, but Stringer said the choice was difficult for the board. “We had very strong candidates and it was a difficult decision because they were all so good.

“Each brought different strengths to the table. In the end, we settled on Mr. Gilmore because of his vast experience, his relationships and good standing in the community.”

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.