South-Western City Schools superintendent resigns

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – After 17 years, the South-Western City School District superintendent is resigning.

The school district, the third largest in central Ohio and fifth largest in the state, announced that Dr. Bill Wise has tendered his resignation prior to the expiration of his current contract.

The announcement was made at the SWCSD regular meeting on Monday.

Wise has led the district since 2007 as superintendent. He previously served as deputy superintendent and assistant superintendent of curriculum beginning in 2002.

In a statement, Wise said, “It has been my privilege to serve as a caretaker of the district for the better part of two decades and I have been blessed to work with many talented staff, board, and community members. In addition, I have also benefited from the incredible work of others that came before me. My hope is that in some small way I will leave the district better than when I arrived. South-Western City Schools is the biggest, small place you can find. We have a history of building partnerships that propel us forward, which I am confident will continue."

The district, which includes about 21,000 students and 2,800 staff members, said that Wise has overseen a period of “significant growth in an array of different areas, marked by sustainability and continuity”.

Among the accomplishments under Wise:

• The building of 13 elementary schools, four middle schools and one high school.
• The implementation of full-day kindergarten in 2013.
• Zero operating funds from taxpayers since 2009.
• Created the Accelerated Learning Center in 2016, an in-house college preparatory program for high school students to pursue college credit and earn associate degrees in two or three-year pathways.
• Achieved the highest graduation rate in the history of the school system dating to 1956 (21,660 students as of May 2023).

Wise’s resignation will be effective Aug. 1, when he will be reassigned to the role of special assistant to the superintendent until his retirement on Aug. 31, 2025.

“While I do not want to see him leave, I have witnessed the hours and the emotional energy a job as big as this takes to do well,” SWCSD board vice president Kelli Martindale said. “I want the best for him and feel better knowing he will continue to support us for another year.”

The district serves parts of southwestern Columbus, Grove City, Franklin and Prairie townships, Galloway, Georgesville and other southwestern Franklin County areas. It is made up of 16 elementary schools, five intermediate schools, five middle schools, four high schools, one career-technical academy and a special needs preschool.

The search for a replacement will begin immediately, according to the district.