Avon Schools approves contract to bring Michael Laub back as superintendent starting in 2026

Avon Schools approved a contract for former Superintendent Michael Laub to return to the district, starting with the 2026-27 school year. The contract for Laub, who previously headed the district for almost a decade, was approved through July 2031 at Avon Schools' Board of Education meeting on Tuesday evening. He will earn $173,000 per year as a beginning salary. Following a career in teaching and administration in Westlake and Strongsville Schools, Laub was previously Avon Schools superintendent from 2012-2021. He left to lead North Royalton Schools in July 2021. "I'm very humbled and gracious about the fact you're having me back," Hodge told the board. "I wish it was August, but I want to finish up the right way where I'm at, which is the right thing to do. But I'm really excited." Laub will resign from North Royalton Schools effective Aug. 1, 2026, making this school year his last for the district. Current Avon Schools Superintendent Michael Zalar joined the district officially in August on an interim basis for the 2025-26 school year. He was preceded by Ben Hodge, who announced he was leaving the district in May to become assistant superintendent at Polaris Career Center in Middleburg Heights. Avon Schools worked with the Educational Service Center of Lorain County for the search for Hodge's replacement. At the district's June 10 meeting, the board decided to pivot to advertise solely for an interim position to give the board more time to reevaluate the search process for an eventual permanent candidate, board President Tara Tatman said. "We are so grateful to be able to bring Mike back to Avon," Tatman said. "We enjoyed your leadership for nine years. We were sad to see you go, and we are so excited to have you back." Zalar said he did not have future professional plans at this stage, and intended his tenure to conclude at the end of his interim contract next summer. Laub's contract is on a year-by-year basis and includes a 1.75 percent increase per year. He will receive 16 percent of his base salary each year for retirement planning. He will assume his role Aug. 4, 2026. The board approved the contract unanimously. Board member Alissa Gault said the district received feedback from administrators and parents that Laub was the right choice. "Welcome home, Mike," board member John Weigman said. Contact Richard Perrins at (440) 687-5172 or email rperrins@chroniclet.com.