Dackin chosen for superintendent of Ohio schools
COLUMBUS — The State Board of Education of Ohio today selected Stephen Dackin as the 39th superintendent of public instruction for Ohio and leader of the Ohio Department of Education. Dackin will guide 1.7 million Ohio K-12 students, oversee the development of academic standards and the licensing of teachers. The budget for the Department of Education in fiscal year 2022 was $12,653,875,388.
“After two and a half years of pandemic-affected learning, Ohio students and educators face many challenges. It’s heartening that the State Board of Education moved deliberately to fulfill the state superintendent role with a proven leader who has throughout his career emphasized high expectations for all students and recognized the importance of empowering parents with high-quality education options,” said Chad L. Aldis, vice president for Ohio policy in a press release from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, that has a stated mission to improve student outcomes, boost upward mobility, and dramatically increase the number of young Americans prepared for college, career, and citizenship. “We look forward to working with the State Board and Superintendent Dackin on policies that will improve educational outcomes and help every child to reach his or her potential.”
A graduate of Bath High School and Ohio Northern University, Dackin has more than 40 years of service in education. Dackin has experience in both post-secondary and PreK-12 education settings, having served as a school district superintendent, school principal and classroom teacher. He recently served as superintendent of School and Community Partnerships at Columbus State Community College and, prior to that, superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools. He was a previous finalist for the state superintendent’s job in 2011.
“It is a great day for the State of Ohio and our education community as we welcome Mr. Dackin as our next superintendent of public instruction. His leadership, experience, vision for the future, and commitment to supporting students will help position Ohio’s education system to be the best in the nation,” said State Board of Education President Charlotte McGuire in a press release from the Ohio Department of Education.
State Board of Education vice-president Martha Manchester commented, “We are very excited to have selected Steve Dackin as our next superintendent. We think he has a lot of great ideas that will help more Ohio students.”
Steve’s brother Rich Dackin, superintendent of Bath Local Schools had this comment: “Steve has always been passionate about education and will want to be a great servant leader for Ohio’s schools. I am extremely proud of him and am excited to see him in his new role as Ohio’s next Superintendent of Public Education.”
“I congratulate Steve Dackin on his selection as Superintendent of Public Instruction by the State Board of Education,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “His experience, both as a member of the Board and in public education, will help him be an effective voice for Ohio’s students and their parents as he leads the Department of Education.”
Stephanie Siddens held the position on an interim basis after Paolo DeMaria retired in September 2021. The State Board of Education selected Dackin by a vote of 14 to 4, with one abstention. The start date is yet to be determined.
Dackin and his wife Susan live in Columbus and have two daughters, Jessica and Erika.
Dackin
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409