Press Release                                                               Contact:           Margaret Compton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                            353-0636

May 13, 2005

 

Scioto County MR/DD Hires New Superintendent

 

            The Scioto County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities hired a new superintendent at their meeting Wednesday night. Superintendent Search Committee Chairwoman Nancy Steele reported that the Committee felt Brenda Benson was the best person for the job.  Mrs. Benson has been serving as Interim Executive Director of the agency since the retirement of veteran superintendent John Oakley on January 31, 2005.

            Mrs. Steele also stated that of the five applicants who responded to the statewide search, two individuals had to be disqualified immediately because they did not have the six years experience in the MR/DD field that is required by state rule [Ohio Administrative Code 5123:2-5-03 (E)(1)(a)(v)].  Mrs. Benson and the other two candidates who met this criterion were interviewed.

            The Search Committee, appointed by Board president Martena Lauro in January, included a representative of the direct service staff, two administrators and an MR/DD consumer. Chairwoman Steele, who is the parent of an MR/DD service recipient, and two other MR/DD Board members rounded out the committee.

            In a telephone interview on Thursday, Mrs. Benson, said.  “I’m so excited and a little anxious.  When I started as a teacher, I never dreamed I’d one day be superintendent.”  She added, “We are facing so many challenges.  My first goal is to get the agency stable financially.” 

            Most recently serving as the Director of Children’s Programs for the Board, Mrs. Benson has completed the college course work required to earn an Ohio Department of MR/DD superintendent’s certificate. The final paperwork is being processed.  “I expect I’ll have my certificate in hand by June 1,” Mrs. Benson explained.

            Ohio law requires that all MR/DD boards have a certificated superintendent or have an agreement with one who serves as an acting superintendent.  Rick Marriott of Ross County Board of MR/DD has been the acting superintendent of the Scioto MR/DD Program these past few months. 

            Mrs. Benson has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Ohio University in Athens and has been working in the field of MR/DD since 1982.  She is the former principal of what is now Vern Riffe School, from 1987 until 1990 when she became the Director of Early Childhood Programs for the Scioto County Board of MR/DD.  She was instrumental in the creation of The Carousel Center, and is the guiding hand behind the award winning Carousel Preschool. Mrs. Benson has been representing Scioto County on state-level committees and task forces since 1982 and has presented at a variety of state conferences over the years.  The recipient of two local leadership awards, Mrs. Benson currently serves on nine local advisory boards/collaborative groups. She and her husband, Mark, are residents of Portsmouth.

            The Scioto County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is a tax-funded social service agency providing education, services and supports to Scioto County residents of all ages with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.  For more information, call 353-0636.

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