The Clymer Central School Board of Education is a step closer to finding its next superintendent. The board approved David O’Rourke, Erie 2-BOCES superintendent, as Clymer’s official superintendent search consultant. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

CLYMER — The Clymer Central School District, operating with an interim superintendent for several months, officially began its search for a new superintendent for next school year.

The Clymer Central School Board of Education appointed Erie 2-BOCES Superintendent David O’Rourke as Clymer’s superintendent search consultant at Wednesday’s regular meeting. O’Rourke previously assisted the school district in its recent interim superintendent search. Interim Superintendent Karen Krause said it was likely an executive session following Wednesday’s meeting would feature superintendent discussion with O’Rourke.

The Clymer board indicated last year that it would explore options of potentially sharing a superintendent with one of its neighboring school districts, either with Panama Central or Sherman Central schools. However, Sherman representatives indicated that the school district was not interested in sharing a superintendent with Clymer while maintaining interest in potentially sharing programs.

“We’re looking at some different areas where we can do some sharing, but sharing superintendent with Sherman — they’re not interested in that at this time,” said Clymer school Board President Ed Mulkearn. “But they are interested in doing some program sharing and some other things.”

A meeting with Panama representatives about any potential job or program sharing has yet to be held.

“We’re hoping we can make something happen with (Panama) also,” Mulkearn added.

Krause was appointed Sept. 19 after the previous superintendent, Ed Bailey, announced his resignation in September. While the search officially began Wednesday, Krause, who is not involved in the hiring process, indicated that any potential appointment would not be immediate.

“I think it’s a matter of months,” Krause said. “It could be as long as June.”

Additionally, Lynne Bemis, dean of students, announced her resignation due to retirement effective June 30. Mulkearn said filling that position was dependent on the future superintendent placement, adding that the board had not made a decision yet regarding the dean of students’ responsibilities. Bemis has been with the district for 30 years.

Also during the meeting, High School Principal Brianne Fadale and Elementary Principal Kirby Oldham provided updates on staff morale.

“I was really encouraged to hear a lot of really positive things,” Oldham told board members of a recent meeting with the elementary employees. “People are feeling heard. They’re feeling respected. They’re feeling comfortable with the way things are going. There were a few that maybe weren’t so comfortable, and that was great to because I was able to follow up afterwards and say ‘Gee, what can I do to help you?'”

Oldham initially began with Clymer as the interim principal for both the high school and elementary school after the former principal, Corey Markham, resigned in October. Oldham transitioned to the elementary school principal position with Fadale’s simultaneous appointment in November.

Krause told The Post-Journal the board strategically split the principal role into two positions.

“The reasoning is it was just too much for one person,” Krause said at the time.

Fadale officially began Dec. 16 with the school district. As for the most recent faculty meeting, she said “I think it went well.”

In other news, the board met Monday to hear a presentation from Clymer’s financial adviser Dr. Rick Timbs, who Krause said has “a depth and wealth of experience.”

Timbs presented to the board a draft of a Long-Range Financial Analysis., which is available on Clymer’s website.

“The big takeaway is that we heard the nuts and bolts of where we are and what the future projections are if things don’t change drastically and it just gives us a better idea of where we need to pay attention and things we need to put into place,” Krause said.