COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's State Board of Education announced its new superintendent on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Paul Craft, the current superintendent of Buckeye Valley Local Schools, is the next superintendent of public instruction. He will be taking over from interim-superintendent J. Christopher Woolard.

What You Need To Know

  • Paul Craft, the current superintendent of Buckeye Valley Local Schools, is the next superintendent of public instruction

  • He will serve in the leadership role to oversee the newly imagined state agency working on behalf of the board

  • Craft will also serve as secretary for the State Board of Education

He will serve in the leadership role to oversee the newly imagined state agency working on behalf of the board. The agency focuses on the Resident Educator Program, the annual Ohio Teacher of the Year recognition and focuses on issues related to educator licensure, evaluations and professional conduct.

Craft will also serve as secretary for the State Board of Education.

“Paul Craft is a dynamic leader who is ready to make a difference as state superintendent,” said Paul LaRue, president of the State Board of Education of Ohio in a news release. “We want to make sure Ohio is a national leader when it comes to our teaching workforce, and Paul Craft will position us to advance the work focused on having excellent educators in our classrooms.”  

Craft's tenure at Buckeye Valley Local Schools began in Aug. 2022. He previously worked as CEO at Metropolitan Educational Technology Association Solutions for three years from Aug. 2019 to Aug. 2022. Craft also has experienc as superintendent of Delaware City Schools, where he worked for approximately nine years. 

Craft said he was honored to take on the roll.

“Ohio is home to outstanding educators and school personnel, and I’m excited to lead the work to ensure we have an excellent education workforce ready to make a difference for students," said Craft in a news release. "I appreciate the important work my current team is doing at Buckeye Valley, and I am proud to have been a part of their teaching and learning community."