Westerville City Schools Superintendent Resigns

Westerville, Ohio – Supervisor of Westerville City School District announced he is leaving at the end of the school year to pursue another opportunity in the Columbus area.

In a letter sent to families this week, Dr. John Kellogg announced that he will be working with Columbus State Community College and the Educational Services Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) in a new role as chief-in-residence.

He said he will be with the school district through the end of the school year and will work until the end of June.

“My new job focuses on regional collaboration in student success and career development. The opportunity to impact education at the regional K-12 and higher levels is very appealing to me. Much of this work involves building and maintaining partnerships between K-12, higher education, the state, economic development organizations and industry leaders to achieve common goals across the region,” Kellogg said in the letter.

The Westerville Board of Education accepted Kellogg’s resignation during a meeting Monday. The next steps to fill the position will be shared in the coming days.

“We have achieved a lot together and overcome many challenges in the last 10 years, including the fight against the global pandemic. Given the staff we have, I know the district remains in good hands,” he said in a separate letter to staff.

In 2013, Kellogg became superintendent of Westerville City Schools. In previous positions, he worked for the Southwest City School District and the Bexley City School District.

Below is the full letter to families:

I am writing this morning to share some personal news with our families and students. During the Board of Education’s regular meeting last night, Board members approved my resignation from the district so that I can accept a new position as a resident resident working with Columbus State Community College and the Educational Services Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO). I will be finishing up the current school year at Westerville City Schools, working until the end of June and starting my new position at Columbus State and ESCCO shortly after.

My new job focuses on regional collaboration in student success and career development. The opportunity to impact education at the regional K-12 and higher levels is very appealing to me. Much of this work involves building and maintaining partnerships between K-12, higher education, the state, economic development organizations and industry leaders to achieve common goals in the region.

More information on the Board’s next steps in filling the superintendent vacancy will be provided as soon as possible. I appreciate and thank you and our entire Westerville City Schools community for your support over the years. With the staff we have in place, I know the district will remain in good hands moving forward.

Below is the full letter sent to the employee:

I’m not sure how many of you are in the habit of looking at the Board of Education agenda, but if you happened to glance at today’s late night staff consent agenda, you may have been caught off guard by one of the items.

At today’s meeting, the Board of Education approved my resignation from the district so that I can accept a new position as a resident, working in conjunction with Columbus State Community College and the Center for Educational Services of Central Ohio. The role will focus on regional collaboration on student success and careers. Much of this work involves building and maintaining partnerships between K-12, higher education, the state, economic development organizations and industry leaders to achieve common goals in the region.

The opportunity to impact education at the regional K-12 and higher levels is very appealing to me. I will finish the current school year in Westerville, work through the end of June, and begin my new position at Columbus State and ESCCO shortly thereafter.

I shared this announcement with my executive leadership team this morning and with our district-wide team this afternoon. I plan to send a personal message to some of our community and business leaders later this evening, and tomorrow morning a message to all the families in the area. I appreciate your cooperation in allowing me to send these messages directly to various members.

More information on the Board’s next steps in filling the superintendent vacancy will be provided as soon as possible. We have achieved a lot together and overcome many challenges in the past 10 years, including overcoming a global pandemic. With the staff we have, I know the district remains in good hands.

I truly appreciate and thank you for your support over the years.