CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- When Chagrin Falls High School Principal Monica Asher starts her new position as principal of Olentangy Orange High School, she’ll be employed by the fastest-growing school district in Ohio, according to the Olentangy Local Schools website.
The Olentangy Board of Education approved Asher’s hiring May 12. She begins her duties at the school in Lewis Center, near Columbus, Aug. 1.
On May 18, the Chagrin Falls Board of Education accepted Asher’s resignation, effective July 31.
With more than 22,000 students, Olentangy Local Schools is the fourth-largest district in Ohio. It’s growing by about 400 to 600 new students annually, according to the website. To support this growth, the district hires more than 200 staff members every year.
Orange High School, one of four high schools in the district, has about 1,900 students, according to Asher. That’s about the same number of students as in the entire Chagrin Falls School District.
“They are a district that really shows a commitment to developing their students outside of the academic realm,” Asher said. “While they are high-achieving, their profile of learners is described as purposeful, resilient, curious and kind.
“These were qualities and characteristics that really resonated with me, and I have just been impressed with my experience there from start to finish.”
Asher said she travels to Columbus quite a bit for her work and other things, so she’s very familiar with the area.
“I know the district by reputation, and friends and their children attend the district,” she said. “So when the position (at Olentangy Orange High School) came open, a colleague who has children in the district sent me the job posting.”
In March, Asher was selected as 2022-23 Ohio Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators.
She has been principal of Chagrin Falls High School since 2017, and she said it will be “very difficult” for her to leave the district.
“The relationships that I have developed with students and families have been really important,” she said. “The community and the staff have shown me grace, patience and kindness.
“I’m just really grateful for the time I spent here. This is bittersweet, but I am excited for what the future holds.”
Todd Meyer, chief operations officer for Olentangy Schools, said Asher rose to the top of a “very impressive” pool of candidates for the position at Orange High School.
“As a destination school district, Olentangy Schools continues to attract top talent for all positions,” he said in an emailed statement. “The Olentangy Orange High School principal position was no exception.
“Ms. Asher’s emphasis on staff professional development and her leadership style for engaging and fostering a strong school culture, as well as the structures she has implemented to successfully improve student academic achievement, all align with Olentangy’s vision to be the recognized leader for high performance and efficiency in education.”
Prior to being named principal of Chagrin Falls High School, Asher was assistant principal of Rocky River High School and an assistant principal at Avon Lake High School.
She served as athletic director and English teacher at Huron High School after coming from Sig Rogich Middle School in Las Vegas.
A Cleveland resident who grew up in Huron, Asher earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Bowling Green State University. She is a candidate to earn a doctorate in educational leadership from BGSU.
Asher serves on the Ohio Department of Education’s Educator Standards Board.
“I feel like I’m leaving (Chagrin Falls High School) in a good place,” Asher said. “I have no doubt they will find somebody amazing to fill this role. It’s a pretty terrific place to work, so it will be very attractive.”
Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski said the search for a new principal is under way. The deadline for applications is Friday (May 27), as stated on the district’s job posting, but Penczarski said the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
“We are still on track to hire in early June,” she said, adding that a special school board meeting would likely be set to approve the candidate.
Interested applicants should send letters of interest to Christopher Woofter, director of operations and strategic initiatives, Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools, 400 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022, or email Woofter at Christopher.woofter@chagrinschools.org.
Applicants may also apply online at chagrinschools.org/HumanResourcesEmployment.aspx.
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