Jeffrey Stanton begins new role as Buckeye superintendent

YORK TWP. — The Buckeye Board of Education voted to approve a contract with Finding Leaders to continue orientation services for the new superintendent, Jeffrey Stanton, during Tuesday's board meeting. Buckeye Schools originally hired Finding Leaders in May to provide the district with counseling services for its superintendent search, and Stanton was hired as a result of that search. Buckeye Board of Education President Seth Kujat said the new contact is an extension of the initial contract at a cost of $7,500. "What (Finding Leaders) will help us with as a school district is with a few retreats (and) some orientation items," Kujat said. "They will assist our superintendent when he has a question that Finding Leaders, in their professional experience, will be better able to handle and counsel him." Finding Leaders will also help with an annual performance review of Stanton near the end of his first year, Kujat said. "I've talked to Jeff (Stanton) about it," he said. "Jeff would like us to do this, and even if he said no, I think it's a great way to show our support. I think it's a very wise investment for the district." Tuesday was Stanton's first Board of Education meeting as superintendent. He assumed the role of superintendent on Aug. 1 after being named as the new superintendent on June 22. "My first few weeks here with Buckeye Local Schools have been absolutely amazing," Stanton said. "I've worked some transition days in July, and now since the beginning of the month I have been here officially. Everything that I have heard about Buckeye, I have certainly seen already in the short amount of time that I have been here." Former Buckeye Superintendent Jeff Harrison's last day was July 31 because he accepted the position for superintendent of the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. "I'm thoroughly excited to be the superintendent of Buckeye Local Schools," Stanton said. "I just always hope that you are as thoroughly excited that I am the superintendent of Buckeye Local Schools." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.