ALLIANCE, OHIO – (Sept. 15, 2020) – Superintendent Rob Gress has been building his administrative team during his first couple of months since returning to Alliance City Schools. Some of his first changes include naming a director of elementary education and director of secondary education.
\r\nDuring the Board of Education (BOE) regular meeting held on Tuesday, the BOE approved Michelle Balderson as the director of elementary education. He plans to submit a recommendation to the Board of Education in the near future to hire Shawn Jackson as the director of secondary education. The two positions will assist in fulfilling the roles and responsibilities previously assigned to the roles of the assistant superintendent and director of curriculum and instruction.
\r\nBalderson has already departed her former position as principal of Alliance Elementary School (AES) and stepped into her new role. However, it is expected that Jackson will remain as the principal of Alliance High School (AHS) for the remainder of the school year and will transition into his new role for the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
\r\nWendy Hubbard has been named the new principal of AES. Hubbard was the building principal at Rockhill Elementary during the 2019-2020 school year, and has worked under the leadership of Balderson as the assistant principal for the start of this school year. A new principal has not yet been named at AHS.
\r\n“Having administrators who are experienced, dedicated and knowledgeable will help us continue to provide educational experiences that our parents deserve and expect for their children,” Gress said. “Michelle and Shawn have an unsurpassed work-ethic and an unfailing commitment to our community and our students and they will help the district both academically and culturally. It’s always hard to see good people leave buildings they’ve worked so hard for, but at the same time it’s exciting to know that they will bring new ideas and expertise to the district level. I am positive that AES is in good hands with Wendy and am equally confident there will be great candidates for AHS.”
\r\nTo help fulfill the responsibilities at the district level for the remainder of this school year, Greg Gemberling has moved to the administration building. Gemberling was the director of the Alliance Career Center for one year and before that, he was the long-time dean of students at Alliance Middle School.
\r\nAnother new addition to the ACS administrative team is Beth Starrett as the director of career programs. She will be overseeing the career tech programs at AHS and taking over as director of the Alliance Career Center. Starett comes to ACS from Canton City Schools, where she had experience working with both their career tech programs at the high school level and their career center.
\r\n“The addition of Beth and Greg in their respective positions also brings a wealth of knowledge to the district,” Gress said. “Beth is excited to lead the career tech programs and the Alliance Career Center and to help build both to best meet the needs of the Alliance community. Greg knows the community, families and students and his expertise will be greatly appreciated this year. Our new administrators will continue the great work our staff has come to expect and we’re looking forward to all working together to continue preparing students for life, college, and careers.”
\r\nFor more information about the Alliance City School District, visit www.alliancecityschools.org.