January 30, 2025
By Rachel Scofield
Pickerington Schools has narrowed the pool of candidates for the superintendent to five. Dr. Chris Briggs officially retires from the position on Feb. 1, and the new superintendent will start in August. The Board of Education appointed Dr. Scott Hunt to serve the position in the interim.
Dr. Heather Hedgepeth
Dr. Heather Hedgepeth currently serves Pickerington Schools as the Assistant Superintendent/Chief Administrative Officer. Before being promoted to her current position, Hedgepath was the district’s Director of Human Resources and before that, she held the job of Principal at Diley Middle School. She started her education career as a classroom teacher.
Dr. Scott Hunt
Dr. Scott Hunt begins his role as Interim Superintendent of Pickerington Schools on Feb. 1 and has been shadowing Briggs throughout January to ease the transition. Hunt served as superintendent of Cardinal Local Schools and as Deputy Chief at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. He has also served as a middle school principal, high school counselor, and teacher.
Dr. Denise Lutz
Dr. Denise Lutz currently serves as Chief Excellence and Engagement Officer at Upper Arlington City Schools, where she was previously Chief Technology Officer. She has held principal positions in both the South-Western City School District and Reynoldsburg City Schools. In 2022, Lutz was a finalist for the Superintendent position in Reynoldsburg.
Adham Schirg
Adham Schirg is currently the Superintendent of Fairbanks Local School District and is working on a doctorate degree in education from Miami University. Before joining Fairbanks in 2019, he served as Principal of both a middle school and a learning academy in the Worthington Schools for seven years. He also has experience as a high school Dean of Students and Athletic Director.
Dr. Charlie Smialek
Dr. Charlie Smialek has been Superintendent of Parma City Schools since 2018. He previously worked for Euclid City Schools as a middle school social studies teacher, middle school principal, high school principal, and superintendent.
More information on the Pickerington Local School District website.
What are the next steps for the public in this decision-making? To clarify, do parents get to vote? Will there be debates? Thank you!
We hope to learn more soon.
The public does not get a vote. The BOE picks the next superintendent. I believe there will be a public Q&A with the finalists. If you have questions contact a member of the BOE.
Awesome post, keep up the great work!