LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Lima City Schools hosted a community forum Wednesday evening for residents to meet the three finalists for the principal position at Lima West Middle School.
Current Principal T.J. Winkler is retiring after leading the school since 2015. The candidates rotated through small-group sessions, where they introduced themselves and answered questions from students, staff and community members.
The finalists are Adam Baumgartner, assistant principal at Lima Senior High School; Cherrelle Turner, former principal at Eastland-Fairfield Career Center in Groveport; and Demetrius Upchurch, assistant principal with the Hazelwood School District in Missouri. Administrators said community input is an important part of the hiring process, especially feedback from students.
"It's important. I mean, you figure that is the stakeholder they will impact the most, the students. I think often times, the feedback you get the least of is the student's. And so, a person that they will impact the most should definitely have some input," said Lima City Schools Superintendent Andre Rudolph.
School administrators said they expect to make a decision on the new principal within the next few days.Â
