Ohio’s new chief of K-12 education resigns, citing ‘revolving door’ questions

Steve Dackin. He was elected vice president of the Ohio State Board of Education on Nov. 15, 2021.

Steve Dackin. He was elected vice president of the Ohio Condition Board of Training on Nov. 15, 2021.

Ohio’s new superintendent of general public instruction Steve Dackin resigned Friday – much less than a thirty day period after he was picked to oversee the education and learning of Ohio’s 1.7 million K-12 learners.

Dackin, in a resignation letter, cited concerns about his latest choice to the purpose. Dackin, even though serving as school board vice president, led the look for for the place that he eventually was selected for.

“Concerns have been elevated about my current acceptance of the posture of Superintendent of General public Instruction,” Dackin wrote. “I don’t want ‘revolving door’ queries to distract from the crucial operate ahead for educational institutions, educators and primarily the little ones.”

Ohio ethics legal guidelines prohibit board users from accepting any advantage, including payment, from a contract authorized by a board they served on either throughout their expression or for 1 12 months following they leave the board, claimed Paul Nick, govt director of the Ohio Ethics Fee.

Dackin resigned from the condition board on Feb. 25  and used for the superintendent placement a few times later on. Confidentiality rules prohibit Nick from commenting on whether or not there was an investigation into Dackin’s range.

On May well 10, the State Board of Training selected Dackin in a 14-4 vote. He previously served as the superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools concerning 2007 and 2014 and on the Point out Board of Training

Dackin’s income was set at $215,000 with the probability of an once-a-year general performance bonus of $35,000. Dackin, in his letter, reported he would forgo any payment for the function he had performed to date.

Point out Board of Schooling President Charlotte McGuire declared Dackin’s resignation in a Friday afternoon news launch, which did not depth why he was leaving.

“I am self-confident that alongside one another we will go on the essential function in assist of Ohio’s small children, people and long run,” McGuire said in the information release.

Gov. Mike DeWine, by way of a spokesman, said he was “stunned and unhappy” by Dackin’s conclusion to resign but respected Dackin’s choice to stay away from becoming a distraction from vital operate on matters like literacy, psychological wellbeing and assisting kids attain their “God-supplied potential.”

Stephanie Siddens will serve as superintendent of general public instruction in the interim. She temporarily held the position after Paolo DeMaria retired in September 2021. 

Steve Dackin resignation letter by Jessie Balmert on Scribd

Reporter Anna Staver contributed to this report. 

Jessie Balmert is a reporter for the United states Nowadays Community Ohio Bureau, which serves the Akron Beacon Journal, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and 18 other affiliated news organizations throughout Ohio.

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This write-up initially appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio’s new K-12 education and learning main resigns after less than 1 thirty day period on the position