For the second time in three years, Fairport Harbor School Board is embarking on a search for a new district superintendent. The board, at a recent meeting, approved the resignation of William Billington. He has served as the district’s superintendent for a little more than 2 1/2 years. During tha t meeting, Billington did not speak about his decision to step down. He also did not return an email seeking more information on the reasons for his departure. William Billington (News-Herald file) Billington will resign effective July 31, which also is the last day of his current three-year contract. After his resignation was authorized by the school board, the panel’s president, Justin Levine, highlighted some of Billington’s accomplishments as superintendent. “During Bill’s tenure, our district completed a significant building project that will benefit the students and families for years to come,” Levine said. “He led the modernization of our curriculum that hadn’t been updated in decades, and strengthened our focus on data standards and measurable student growth.” Levine added that the board wanted to thank Billington for the “service and contributions he has made to this district and wish him well in his next chapter.” In April of 2023, the board voted unanimously to appoint Billington as superintendent. He succeeded Domenic Paolo, who retired after serving as the top leader of Fairport Harbor Schools for 17 years. Related Articles Concord Township plans service department upgrades with NOPEC grant Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve awarded state grant Photos of Ohio to be topic of Lake Metroparks spring art show Farmpark ‘Sugar’ High: Popular event summons the sweet stuff, as usual Police pick up non-verbal child wandering street alone in Mentor-on-the-Lake Billington’s stretch as superintendent coincided with construction of Fairport Harbor’s new pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade school, which opened for classes in January. The district conducted a grand opening for Fairport Harbor School, located at 345 Vine St., on Dec. 9. At that celebration, Billington said the new school represented “years of hard work, partnership and unwavering belief in what is possible for our district.” “It stands as a symbol of hope, progress and Fairport Harbor’s commitment to give our students the very best,” he said. “The impact of this building will be felt for years, and then decades, as it transforms the learning experience for generations of students and strengthens the heartbeat of our community.” Billington came to Fairport Harbor Schools from the Buckeye School District in Ashtabula County. He had served as Buckeye’s pupil and personnel director for nearly 2 1/2 years. During the 2022-23 academic year, he also worked in a dual role as principal of the district’s Wallace H. Braden Middle School. In addition, he held the principal’s position at Braden during a separate 10-year stretch and served for 2 1/2 years as principal of Kingsville Elementary School, which also is in the Buckeye district. As Billington completes the remainder of his contract in the Fairport Harbor district, the school board will begin preparing for a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition, Levine said. “In the coming weeks, the board will discuss next steps for guiding that transition process and will communicate further information once those plans are determined,” he said. Additionally, Levine announced that starting in March, one or two board members will be available 30 minutes prior to each regular meeting of the panel to speak directly with community members, parents and residents. “This time will offer a structured and respectful setting to ask questions, share information and strengthen communication between our board and the community,” he said. “More details about how that process will work will be shared soon.” As the district prepares to hire a new superintendent, Levine said transitions can bring uncertainty, but they also provide opportunity. “We are confident in the strength of our educators, administrators, students and families,” he said. “The board’s commitment remains steady to lead responsibly, listen carefully and act in the best interest of the district and its students.” ...read more read less