Indian Hill board appoints Dr. Melissa Stewart as superintendent

The Indian Hill Exempted Village Board of Education voted March 17 to appoint Dr. Melissa Stewart as the district's next superintendent, approving a three-year contract that takes effect this August. A board member moved to approve the appointment and board members present responded in the affirmative, adopting the motion.

Dr. Stewart, who has worked in the district since 2007 in elementary and central-office roles, said she was "so deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next superintendent of Indian Hill Schools." She outlined a focus on relationships, teacher support and student-centered decision-making, saying her goal is to be a "servant leader" and to help teachers "do what they do best, which is educate the students."

Board members described a thorough search process that included eight student meetings, multiple staff and community meetings and a public survey to build a candidate profile. The board said that community input emphasized a leader who prioritizes relationships with students, teachers and families and who can strengthen internal operations.

The appointment follows a period in which Dr. Stewart served in an interim capacity. The motion to approve her contract passed with board members individually indicating assent during roll call on the motion.

The board did not tie the hire to any specific immediate programmatic changes; Dr. Stewart said the district will continue listening and building recommendations drawn from the search process and from staff feedback.