Lakewood Schools Hire Firm To Help Find Next Superintendent

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Lakewood Schools have hired a firm to help the district find its next superintendent.

Finding Leaders, a locally based school-focused firm, has been retained by the Lakewood Board of Education. The firm will form focus groups in January and February to inform the hunt for the next superintendent.

District officials said they anticipate holding candidate interviews in March. That timeline is subject to change, however.

The Lakewood Board of Education hopes to have a new superintendent hired prior to Mike Barnes departure, so there can be cooperative transition work. The ultimate goal is to have a new superintendent under contract by spring.

Barnes announced he was leaving Lakewood in early December. He will move back to the Mayfield Schools, where he will replace Keith Kelly who is retiring Aug. 1. The Lakewood Board of Education will meet soon to determine how to move forward.

Barnes came to Lakewood in 2018. He was hired from the Mayfield Schools, where he was assistant superintendent.

"The decision was not an easy one for my family and me. My wife and I have enjoyed every minute being a part of the Lakewood community," Barnes said. ""Lakewood Schools are a special place where community, children, and staff come together for the betterment of all. I treasure the experience and lessons from my tenure as Superintendent, and firmly believe that I am a better instructional leader, and person, as a result of my time here."