ST. PARIS – Graham Local Schools’ board plans to appoint Kirk Koennecke as its next superintendent at a special meeting Monday, March 7.

“I am honored and privileged to serve the Graham Local Schools community and the wonderful students and staff here,” Koennecke says in a press release. “This is a district with a rich heritage and proud traditions of academic and athletic excellence, as well as strong community support. My wife, Susie, and I look forward to becoming a part of this community and getting to know everyone. This is a special place, and great things are happening here.”

Koennecke is currently high school principal at Marion Harding High School in Marion.

The board selected Koennecke following a four-month search to replace former superintendent Norm Glismann, who resigned last year to become the superintendent at Tecumseh Local Schools. Interim Superintendent Matt Curtis was selected to replace Glismann on a temporary basis. Curtis’ contract ends at the end of July.

Koennecke will start Aug. 1 if the school board approves a four-year contract at its March 7 special meeting.

“The board believes we have found a visionary leader who has the interpersonal skills to be effective inside our schools while being a strong spokesperson in the community,” Graham board President Steve Setty said. “Mr. Koennecke is a decisive and innovative educational leader focused on individual student achievement. The board is excited in the selection of Mr. Koennecke and looks forward to working alongside him to keep moving Graham forward.”

Koennecke served as Springfield High School principal in Clark County between 2009 and 2013. He was principal of Barberton High School 2006-08; assistant principal at Bedford High School; and assistant principal/athletic director at Richmond Heights High School. He taught high school social studies 1995-2003.

Koennecke received his Education Specialist Degree and Superintendent Licensure at Wright State University in 2015. He received his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Ohio State University in 1994.