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School board member eyes top Madison job
(by Sue Hoffman - November 26, 2008)
School board member eyes top Madison job
By SUE HOFFMAN
Solon School Board member Roger Goudy is the top candidate for the position of superintendent for the Madison School District in Lake County.
Dr. Goudy, who has served as director of business affairs of the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District since 1998, confirmed that he entered into contract talks with the Madison School Board last week.
If he's appointed, he said, he has no immediate plans to move from Solon. "I have full intention of serving in that capacity," he said of continuing on the Solon School Board.
The job of Madison superintendent, he said, "is pretty much there." He said there are "no major disagreements" to overcome with the Madison School Board. However, he said, "Nothing's official till the board's action on Dec. 16."
Dr. Goudy, a former Solon city councilman, said he's excited about the prospect. "It's a nice culmination. I've sat in every chair in the district and worked with superintendents since 1981," he said.
With 3,700 students, Madison is a good school district, he said. "We fit well together."
As far as moving to the district, which is about a 45-minute drive from Solon, Dr. Goudy said he has no current plans to do that. "Right now, there are so many other things," he said. "I need to get started. Somewhere down the road, it could change."
Madison's previous superintendent, James Herrholtz, left last July to take the top spot at the Richmond Heights School District.
Dr. Goudy said it's not unusual for a superintendent to sit on a school board in another district. He said William Zelei is completing 16 years serving on the Brunswick School Board, including the 10 years he has served as superintendent of South Euclid-Lyndhurst schools.
"I think it's fine," Solon School Superintendent Joseph V. Regano said of Dr. Goudy's prospect. "To me, it helps the district," he said, since Dr. Goudy would receive important information promptly. "I don't see any negatives and it's potentially positive."
Dr. Goudy, who received a doctorate in educational administration in 2005, was appointed by the Solon School Board in July 2007, after veteran member Linda Wise moved from Solon to be closer to her job. In November 2007, Dr. Goudy he narrowly defeated former Mayor Robert Paulson to win a four-year seat on the school board. He had served on City Council from 1999 to 2007, when he resigned for his board appointment. He ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for state representative of the 17th District in 2006.
"I have a lot to bring to the table," Dr. Goudy said of the Madison post. With 34 year years in education, he has served as a teacher, coach and administrator for three suburban school districts. Prior to his current position, he was director of business services for Strongsville City Schools from 1996 to 1998 and director of community relations for the Warrensville Heights School District from 1982 to 1996. He started as a physical education teacher in Warrensville Heights and also served as the district's director of technology.
Dr. Goudy's wife, Christine, is a special education teacher in the Orange School District. They have four children, including two sons at Solon High School and a daughter attending Solon Middle School. Their oldest son is a sophomore at Kent State University.
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