Revere names new superintendent

April 23 special board of education meeting

by Sheldon Ocker

The Revere Board of Education selected its next superintendent after reducing a list of more than 30 candidates to three.

Succeeding Dr. Michael Tefs, who resigned in January, is Dan White, who has been superintendent of the Keystone school district in Lorain County since 2018.

White said after his first interview with the board, leading Revere would be his ideal job.

“I was on the phone the whole way home [in Medina] having a conversation about – it just feels right, just the connection,” he said. “Everything about this district that I’m learning and looking at, it’s just so positive. … It’s almost like God ordained the opportunity.’’

Board President Keith Malick summarized the search process.

“Just over 30 applicants applied for the position, which is phenomenal,” he said. “That says a lot about the district, I think.”

Malick added that after vetting four search firms, the board settled on the Summit Educational Service Center, which trimmed the original list of candidates to 12, whom they interviewed, then recommended eight to the board.

Board members conducted extensive interviews with the semifinalists, selecting three finalists: Revere Middle School Principal Bill Conley, Director of Business/Personnel and CEO of Solon Schools Michael Acomb and White.

“Dan White is results-oriented with a commitment to authentic collaboration, effective communication and a genuine passion for students and staff,” Malick said.

Three of the original candidates were internal: Revere High Principal Andrew Peltz, recently named superintendent of the Wellington district in Lorain County; Anthony Stretar, principal at Richfield Elementary and Conley.

White is married and has three children. Before becoming superintendent of the Keystone district, White was director of education for Midview Schools in Grafton (Lorain County) from 2013-2018. From 2010-2013, he was director of curriculum and instruction at Keystone. From 2008–2010, he was assistant principal at Keystone.

After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education/ History, White taught at Osborne Elementary in Ashland from 1999-2008. He has a master’s degree from Ashland University and received his superintendent certificate from Cleveland State University.

White will be a consultant to the superintendent until Aug. 1, the date Tefs’ contract expires.

In other action, after seven years as assistant principal at Revere High, the board elevated Doug Faris to principal upon a recommendation from Tefs.

“I am beyond excited and beyond grateful for this opportunity,” Faris said. “It has been a seven-year interview, but these seven years have just meant the world to me.” ∞