Indian Hill board hires Dr. Melissa Stewart as next superintendent

The Indian Hill Exempted Village Board of Education voted March 17 to approve a three-year contract to hire Dr. Melissa Stewart as the districts next superintendent. The boards motion to approve the contract carried on a roll-call vote; several trustees recorded "yes" votes during the motion.

Board members said the hire came after an extensive community process that included student and staff meetings, two community gatherings and a public survey conducted with assistance from the Hamilton County Educational Service Center. The board president said the profile developed from that process emphasized a leader who prioritizes relationships with students, teachers and the broader community.

"It is my very distinct pleasure to announce that the school board has engaged Dr. Melissa Stewart to serve as our next superintendent," the president said. Following the announcement, a board member moved to approve Dr. Stewarts contract; the motion was seconded and the measure passed.

Dr. Melissa Stewart, who has worked in the district since 2007 in roles that have included elementary-school leadership and central-office responsibilities, accepted the appointment and outlined her approach. "I am so deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next superintendent of Indian Hill Schools," Stewart said. She described her leadership style as a "servant leader" focused on supporting teachers, strengthening relationships and keeping students at the center of decisions.

Under the approved agreement, Stewart will remain in the interim superintendent role through the end of the current school year and begin the new contract in August. Board members who spoke during the meeting praised her professionalism and cited the districts response during a recent safety incident as an example of her leadership under stress.

The board did not discuss specific salary figures for the contract in the public remarks; the motion and vote to approve the contract were recorded in the meeting minutes. The board President said the district will finalize transition details in the coming weeks and that a formal start date under the new contract will be in August.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the appointment; the superintendents contract and the associated personnel actions were included in the meetings consent agenda.