Townsend approved as New Bremen superintendent

NEW BREMEN - New Bremen schools' newly hired superintendent expects to face major challenges but feels her experience has prepared her well for the task.

Dr. Andrea Townsend, the current director of elementary education at Springfield City Schools, was named New Bremen Local School District's next superintendent at Monday night's special board meeting.
Townsend, 46, was awarded a three-year contract with a starting salary of $105,000, treasurer Deb Meyer said. Townsend will take over July 1, when current superintendent Howard Overman retires after 20 years in New Bremen and 35 total years in education. In addition to her salary, the board will pay her for any days worked in April, May or June, not to exceed 20 days, at a per diem rate equal to the contract amount.

Townsend will face some big challenges immediately, board president Scott Bertke said.

"Our declining enrollment, a potential new building and ever-changing testing standards will probably be the biggest issues she'll have to deal with," Bertke said.

Townsend served on a levy committee that helped Springfield schools successfully pass its last four levy issues - two renewals and two for additional money.

Earlier this month, board members discussed renovating or replacing the elementary school building. Sections of the school were built in 1929. The board would seek a levy if renovations or replacement is deemed necessary.

Also under her direction, Springfield City Schools' enrollment rose by 200 students in two years, Townsend said. She believes she can increase enrollment at New Bremen as well.

Fifteen years ago, New Bremen's total enrollment stood at 963 students. In 2014, that total had fallen to only 782 total students, Overman said.

Townsend has worked at almost every level of education. Since beginning her career in education in 1998, Townsend has served as an elementary school teacher; a middle school teacher; an elementary, middle and high school principal; and as superintendent of North Dayton School of Discovery.

She received her Bachelor of Elementary Education at Ohio Dominican and her Masters of Administration at McDaniel College in Maryland. She later earned her Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Walden University.

She and Stephen, her husband of 19 years, are very excited to come to New Bremen along with their 16-year-old son, Matthew, Townsend said.

"Matthew is very much looking forward to coming to New Bremen," Townsend said. "He'll be a senior this year."

"The district is very similar to the place where I grew up. I prefer the small-town setting to the big city," Townsend said.

She added she frequently has camped in the New Bremen area and has a number of friends and family in the area.

Townsend was selected from among 10 applicants. She and Jason Wood of Franklin Monroe Schools stood out as the most qualified, board members said.

"We had two very good candidates that had what we were looking for," board president Scott Bertke said.

Townsend's overall presence and knowledge impressed Bertke and other board members, he said.

Board member Shelly Busse cast the lone vote against hiring Townsend.

Busse said she would support Townsend in every way but felt Wood would have been a better fit for New Bremen.

"This is a democracy. We all get our vote," Busse said. "I felt (Wood's) strengths aligned more with our vision but I completely support Andrea."

Overman said he is happy with the board's choice and equally happy with his time with the district.

He listed earning the respect of the students as his proudest achievement as superintendent.

"I gave them my best effort inside and outside of the classroom," he said.