Updated on March 9th, 2023 at 02:36 pm
Each year, OASSA and NASSP sponsor an award for the Ohio Principal of the Year. Applications for the Ohio award are available on the OASSA website, and must be received in the OASSA office by the designated deadline. The state recipient is selected by a panel of judges representing the OASSA Board of Directors. The Ohio Principal of the Year is recognized at the OASSA Fall Conference and receives a signet ring from the Herff Jones Company.
The Ohio Principal of the Year is given the opportunity to compete for the NASSP National Principal of the Year. A separate application is required, as well as membership in NASSP.
2023 – Robert Knisely
Perry Middle School, Perry Local Schools
2022 – Monica Asher
Olentangy Orange High School, Olentangy Local Schools
2021 – Peter Cole
Carey High School, Carey Exempted Village Schools
2020 – Jeffrey Legan
Mayfield High School, Mayfield City Schools
2019 – Dr. Mark Smithberger
Strongsville High School, Strongsville City Schools
2018 – Chuck Rinkes
River View High School, River View Local Schools
2017 – Dean Frank
Edgewood Middle School, Wooster City Schools
2016 – Angie Adrean
Worthington Kilbourne High School, Worthington City Schools
2015 – Jeffrey Fisher
Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe City
2014 – Andy Fetchik
Chardon High School, Chardon Local
2013 – Dr. Joanie Walker
Avon Lake High School, Avon Lake City
2012 – Dr. Bill Wagner
Lakewood High School, Lakewood City
2011 – Roger Howard
Independence High School, Independence Local
2010 – Brenda Frankart
Liberty-Benton High School, Liberty-Benton Local
2009 – Dr. James J. Schoenlein
Kettering Fairmont High School, Kettering City
2008 – Doug Delong
Chardon High School, Chardon Local
2007 – Bob Hunt
Chagrin Falls High School, Chagrin Falls City
2006 – Dr. Joanie Hines
Bedford High School, Bedford City
2005 – Russell Jones
Aurora High School, Aurora City
2004 – Charles Keenan
Canton McKinley High School, Canton City
2003 – Randy L. Addy
Newcomerstown High School, Newcomerstown EVSD
2002 – John Payne
Chillicothe High School, Chillicothe City
2001 – Dr. Ted Zigler
Wm. Henry Harrison High School, Southwest Local
2000 – Dr. Dianna Lindsay
Worthington Kilbourne High School, Worthington City
1999 – Dr. Kathy Crates
Findlay High School, Findlay City
1998 – Jeffrey Reinhard
Hilliard Darby High School, Hilliard City
1997 – James McCann
Westerville North High School, Westerville City
1996 – Dennis Matthews
Withrow High School, Cincinnati City
1995 – Ed Palmer
Franklin Hts. High School, South-Western City
1994 – Shelley Hamler
Peter H. Clark Academy, Cincinnati City
1993 – James Osborn
Independence High School, Columbus City
1992 – Linda Robertson
Aurora High School, Aurora City
1991 – Tom Rutan
Grove City High School, South-Western City
1990 – Philip Hobbs
Eastmoor High School, Columbus City
2015 – Craig Vroom
Weaver Middle School, Hilliard City School District
2014 – Sheryl Burk
Wilson Middle School, Hamilton City School District
2013 – Rebecca Holthaus
Chagrin Falls Middle School, Chagrin Falls Exempted Village
2012 – Joe Niemantsverdriet
Revere Middle School, Revere Local
2011 – Dr. Matt Lutz
Walnut Springs Middle School, Westerville City
2010 – Belinda Scott
R.B. Chamberlin Middle School, Twinsburg City
2009 – Felisha Cheatem
Perkins Middle School, Akron City
2008 – Mary Riepenhoff
Van Wert Middle School, Van Wert City
2007 – Thom Jones
Dover Middle School, Dover City
2006 – Tom Burton
Cuyahoga Heights Middle School, Cuyahoga Heights Local
2005 – Amy Anderson
Northridge Middle School, Northridge Local, Licking County
2004 – Pamela Van Horn
Worthington Kilbourne Middle School, Worthington City
2003 – Douglas S. Lowery
Memorial Middle School, Hilliard City
2002 – Charles Beard
Napoleon Middle School, Napoleon Area City
2001 – Ed Vittardi
Independence Middle School, Independence Local
2000 – Santha Stall
Willis Intermediate School, Delaware City