By Bob Gaetjens
Gateway News editor
STREETSBORO — Streetsboro High School and the district’s bus drivers could have new leaders next year.
The Board of Education will vote whether to accept Streetsboro High School Principal Michael Berner’s resignation during its regular meeting on Thursday, which will follow a 6:45 p.m. organizational meeting at Streetsboro High School, 1900 Annalane Drive.
The board also will decide whether to accept Transportation Supervisor Sharon Dove’s retirement. If the board accepts the retirement, Superintendent Linda T. Keller said the district would move quickly to interview for and fill Dove’s position.
Berner said he decided to resign because of personal finance issues. His wife recently obtained a good job, and his family has been renting a residence in Streetsboro while paying on its home in Avon Lake, a burden Berner said he no longer wishes to bear.
Berner intends to serve out the remainder of his two-year contract, which expires July 31. His last day will likely be sometime in June. He’s being paid $94,000 this year.
Keller said Berner will be missed, adding she appreciates the advance notice he has given the board of his plans.
“Mike has done a nice job at the high school,” she said. “Now is a very respectful time to let us know, so we have ample time to go through a (hiring) process.”
Keller said the search and interview process for the high school principal job has not been set up yet.
Berner said he’s pleased with the work he’s helped accomplish on the high school’s block scheduling. A proposal to the board is planned for February.
Berner also said he helped update the high school’s curriculum. “I feel like we’ve made a lot of headway in getting curricular issues together,” he said.
Berner said he will miss celebrating the students and their achievements. “I absolutely adore these kids. They are really amazing,” he said.
After 30 years of service, a milestone she hit in November, Dove decided to retire and enter “grandmotherhood” full time.
She earned about $49,000 this year and was in the midst of a three-year contract.
Dove said the failure of the school levy and subsequent cuts in busing kept her around longer than she planned. She wanted to complete the rerouting and make sure it was running smoothly.
Dove said she remembers most fondly driving the bus on field trips her children were taking, but she enjoyed much of her work.
Keller said Dove has done an excellent job making sure everything is organized. “She certainly leaves us in a really good place as far as everyone being organized,” said Keller. “She will be sorely missed.”