FHSD Board of Education Moves to Interview Phase in Superintendent Search

The Forest Hills School District (FHSD) Board of Education took a key step in its search for the district’s next superintendent during its meeting on April 15. Following the close of the application window on April 10, the Board met in Executive Session to review candidates identified by the Hamilton County Educational Service Center search team.

Selection of Interview Candidates

During the Executive Session, the Board evaluated the professional profiles of applicants against the community-developed leadership criteria. Following this review, the Board officially selected a slate of candidates to move forward into the formal interview process.

"The quality of the applicant pool reflects the strong reputation of Forest Hills School District," said Dr. Wendy Strickler, Board President. "We have identified a group of leaders whose experience and vision align with the priorities our community shared through an online survey with 800 responses and more than two dozen focus groups during the input phase. We are eager to begin the face-to-face conversations that will help us find the perfect fit for our students and staff."

The following individuals have been invited to participate in the formal interview process (alphabetical by last name):

• Suzanna Davis—Senior Director of Student Services, Middletown City Schools
• Joseph Ellison—Assistant Superintendent of High Schools, Jefferson County Public Schools
• Robert Fellows—Executive Director of Human Resources, Forest Hills School District
• Kiya Hunt—Superintendent, Canal Winchester Local Schools
• Chris Piper—Superintendent, Troy City Schools
• Kim Tinsley—Assistant Superintendent, Forest Hills School District

Upcoming Interview Schedule

The Board has established a timeline for the next two weeks to ensure a thorough and collaborative selection process:

• Round One Interviews: Scheduled for April 20, these initial interviews will involve the Board of Education, a team of community members and district leadership.
• Round Two Interviews: A second round of specialized interviews with the Board will take place on April 22.
• Finalist Round & Community Meet-and-Greet: On April 27, finalists will participate in interviews with community members at a public "Meet the Candidates" Night at 6:00 p.m. The event is open to the public, and we encourage interested community members to attend.
• Final Board Interviews: The process will conclude with a final round of interviews on April 29.

Next Steps

The Board expects to make a final selection and public announcement regarding the new superintendent in early May 2026. The Board started this search with a three-week community input process that was invaluable in supporting its efforts to identify excellent candidates. Community members will have the opportunity to remain engaged during the interview stages, and the Board appreciates the high level of interest and involvement in this important search.

For further updates and to view the full superintendent search timeline, please visit www.foresthills.edu/board-of-education/superintendent-search/.