July 9, 2025, Press Release from the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities:
LIMA, Ohio - The Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities (ACBDD) has appointed Melissa Ricker, current ACBDD Director of Community Support Services (CSS), as Assistant Superintendent. The position has been vacant since the retirement of Theresa Schnipke in December 2024.
Ricker’s appointment supports ACBDD’s planned transition back to a full-time superintendent model. On June 23, 2025, the Board voted to renew its shared superintendent agreement with the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities for a final year. The renewed agreement will continue through July 31, 2026, and includes a formal review after six months.
Ricker assumes her new responsibilities on July 14, 2025 and will assist in the recruitment of a new CSS Director. An ACBDD employee since 2013, Ricker has led the CSS department since 2023. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in business administration, with expected graduation in August 2025. The Board intends for Ricker to assume the full duties of superintendent at the conclusion of the shared arrangement, pending successful completion of the transition.
“I am honored to step into this role and continue serving the people of Allen County,” said Ricker. “This is a time of transition, but also of great opportunity. I look forward to supporting our team, strengthening our partnerships, and building on the strong foundation that’s already in place.”
Renee Kohler, who has served as shared superintendent of both Allen and Auglaize Counties since August 2024, will continue leading both agencies during the transition. Upon completion, Kohler will return to her full-time role in Auglaize County where she has served as superintendent since 2015.
“Our Board is grateful to Superintendent Kohler and the Auglaize DD Board for their partnership during this interim period” said ACBDD Board President Bob McPheron. “This shared agreement gave us time to assess our organizational needs and explore the potential of shared services. While we have identified long-term efficiencies, we also recognize that the leadership demands and deep community engagement in each county underscore the value of having full-time superintendents.”
Kohler echoed the Board’s sentiment, highlighting the positive experience of serving both agencies. “I am exceedingly appreciative of the opportunities and challenges associated with this unique role,” said Kohler. “The collaboration, professionalism, and dedication of staff in both counties have been remarkable. I have enjoyed meeting and learning from everyone I have worked with, including a multitude of community partners. Collaborative community engagement is one of my favorite aspects of the job, and both Boards excel in this area. That commitment, in my view, warrants the attention of a full-time superintendent in each county,” Kohler added.
The Allen and Auglaize DD Boards have remained independent entities, maintaining their own personnel and programs. This structure will continue through the renewed agreement.
July 9, 2025, Press Release from the Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities:
NEW BREMEN, Ohio — The Auglaize County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Auglaize DD) passed a resolution during its June 16, 2025, meeting to renew an agreement for shared superintendent services with the Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) for a period of one year. The agreement, which includes a formal review of necessity after six months, is intended to support the Allen County Board of DD in its planned transition back to a full-time superintendent. The ACBDD voted on the renewed agreement during its June 23, 2025, meeting.
Auglaize DD Superintendent Renee Kohler assumed responsibilities of superintendent for both counties in August 2024 as the Allen County Board of DD assessed its organizational needs following the retirement of former Allen County Superintendent Theresa Schnipke in 2024. Kohler will continue to lead both agencies during the transition, working with the Allen County Board’s newly appointed Assistant Superintendent, Melissa Ricker. Upon completion, Kohler will return to her full-time role in Auglaize County where she has served as superintendent since 2015.
“I appreciate the willingness of the Auglaize DD Board to support what has been a positive and unique learning experience,” said Kohler. “It has been a pleasure to support and serve the Allen County community for the past year, and I look forward to working with Melissa Ricker through her eventual transition into the full-time superintendent role in Allen County. Melissa is a compassionate and dedicated leader. I am excited to know we will be working together for many years as neighboring superintendents,” Kohler elaborated.
Current President of the Allen County Board of DD expressed appreciation for the collaborative opportunity shared by the two Boards. “The Allen County Board of DD is grateful to Superintendent Kohler and the Auglaize DD Board for their partnership during this interim period. Exploring the potential of shared services has helped our Board identify long-term efficiencies while also recognizing that the leadership demands and deep community engagement in each county underscore the value of having fulltime superintendents,” McPheron stated.
Kohler echoed McPheron’s sentiment, highlighting the benefits and challenges of serving both agencies. “The collaboration, professionalism, and dedication of staff in both counties have been remarkable. I have enjoyed meeting and learning from everyone I have worked with, including a multitude of community partners. Collaborative community engagement is one of my favorite aspects of the job, and both Boards excel in this area. That commitment, in my view, warrants the attention of a full-time superintendent in each county,” Kohler added.
The Allen and Auglaize DD Boards have remained independent entities, maintaining their own personnel and programs. This structure will continue through the renewed agreement.
