Armocida named interim leader

On Wednesday, July 29, the Yellow Springs Board of Education approved former longtime Yellow Springs superintendent Tony Armocida as the district’s interim superintendent for one year, while the district conducts a search for a replacement for Norm Glismann.

The action took place at a specially called meeting, following an executive session, after Glismann submitted his resignation on Tuesday, July 28, effective July 31. Glismann will begin a new job as superintendent with the Graham Local Schools in St. Paris next Monday.

While the board knew that Glismann had been searching for a job the past several months, they were surprised that he found one starting so late in the year, Board President Aida Merhemic said on Tuesday. State law prohibits boards from searching for a replacement until a superintendent submits a resignation, so the board had not been able to begin its search.

The board was very pleased that Armocida, who served in Yellow Springs for 10 years before his retirement in summer 2007, took the job, according to Merhemic on Wednesday night.

“We appreciate that he’s willing to come out of what he calls his “happy retirement” to help us out,” she said.

Board member Richard Lapedes said on Wednesday that it’s “astonishing good fortune to have Tony available while we do a methodical and complete search. This gives us time to do it right.”

Armocida “knows the community and the people, he knows us and we know him,” Lapedes said. “There’s no better choice.”

Because Armocida had a previous commitment to be out of town next week, he will start his interim job on Monday, Aug. 10. However, according to Armocida, he will begin meeting with teachers and staff on Friday, July 31.

An extended article on the move, including an interview with Armocida, will be in the Aug. 6 News.