Updated: Canterbury Elementary Will Be Led by New Principal Next Year

Updated 6 a.m. May 18: 

The principal of and the coordinator of elementary curriculum are swapping jobs for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year. 

The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Board officially approved the switch at Tuesday night's special board meeting. 

Principal Kevin Harrell has led the school since he started in the CHUH School District in 2006. Prior to joining the CHUH district, he was an administrator for the East Cleveland City School District and for the Cleveland Municipal School District.

He will take over Stacy Stuhldreher’s role as coordinator of elementary curriculum, an administrative position in the central office, and Stuhldreher will be principal of Canterbury.

Harrell's salary will remain the same at $104,173, and Stuhldreher's salary will move from $101,695 to $104,712, said Angee Shaker, communications director for the CHUH Schools.

"Kevin Harrell is being transferred into the curriculum position. Under Ohio Revised Code, his salary remains the same when the change is the result of a transfer from a higher to a lower paid position. Stacy will receive the principal’s salary. She is (also) a transfer, but the same law requires her to be paid at the higher salary," Shaker said by email. 

Stuhldreher has worked in the CHUH district since 2005, and was principal at for four years prior to assuming her role coordinating the elementary curriculum.  

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to lead Canterbury School. I’m grateful for the year I got to spend at central office, but for me, there is no more important place to serve than at an individual building,” Stuhldreher said by email. 

The district sent out a press release May 10 announcing the change, and Cleveland Heights Patch first published an article May 11 about the news. 

“Superintendent (Douglas) Heuer expressed his gratitude to both Ms. Stuhldreher and Mr. Harrell for their ‘flexibility and enthusiasm’ and his belief in the changes’ potential to benefit the entire community,” according to a press release from the district. 

The district did not say exactly what prompted the change, but Heuer said that the roles will be a good fit for both. 

"With (Harrell's) years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, he will play a crucial role in ensuring that all of our elementary students are reading at or above grade level by third grade and helping each of our elementary buildings to develop its theme of choice," Heuer said by email.

"It was no secret Ms. Stuhldreher missed working at the building level. We believe she is the perfect fit for Canterbury Elementary, and we are expecting great results under her leadership."

This is the third principal change announced from the district this year.  to prepare for the new small school model. Seven schools had new principals in the 2010-2011 school year.