Avon Local Schools Appoints Assistant Superintendent, Additional Administrators

The Avon Local Schools Board of Education (BOE) voted this week (May 18) to award a three-year administrative contract to Jen Fitch to become the new assistant superintendent for the district. Fitch is currently the principal at Avon Heritage Elementary School.

The move comes after current assistant superintendent, Ben Hodge, was named superintendent for the Avon Local Schools last month.

Fitch has been with the district since 2018. She came to the district from the Elyria City Schools where she was a principal. She has also taught in the Clearview Local School district.

“I am excited and honored to serve such a wonderful community with amazing students and staff in this new role,” said Fitch. “Avon is a special place to me. I live in this community and my family attends this award-winning school district. I will continue to strive to provide our Avon Eagles with the best opportunities. I am incredibly grateful to be given this chance to serve and help grow our students and continue to serve our families.”

Fitch holds a master’s in education degree from Ashland University, and a bachelor’s in elementary education from Muskingum College.

Fitch and her husband, Adam, have two boys who attend the Avon Local Schools. Mason is a sophomore at Avon High School, and Colten is an eighth-grader at Avon Middle School.

“Jen Fitch brings great leadership experiences with her to the assistant superintendent position,” said Ben Hodge, Avon Local School assistant superintendent. “Avon’s staff and administration have tremendous respect for her as a person and educator and are super excited she is the assistant superintendent.

In other administrative news in the district…Anne Fox was awarded a three-year administrative contract to serve in the newly created position of Student Services Programming Coordinator for the Avon Local Schools.

Fox currently serves as director of the WestShore Ombudsman Plus program which is housed in the Avon Local Schools Board of Education offices. Fox was also an assistant principal and administrative intern at Avon High School.

“I am very excited to start my new role as Student Services Programming Coordinator for the Avon Schools,” Fox said. “This position will include responsibilities assisting with special education programs and policies which aligns with my background as a special education teacher in Avon for 24 years, and running a special education alternative school for the last four years. In addition to the special education piece, I will also be charged with overseeing and developing Diversity and Inclusion initiatives in the district and overseeing PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) and RTI (response to intervention) initiatives in the district. As a life-long advocate for equity in education, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to have a hand in supporting all staff and students in an amazing district.”

She holds an administrative license from Ashland University; a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix; and a bachelor’s in special education and reading from Ashland University.

“Anne brings great experiences to our team with the most recent experience coming from an alternative school,” said Hodge. Her unique background has provided her with the skills to assist in continuing to grow the district in inclusion, equity and PBIS with our students, staff and families.”

Fox resides in Sheffield Village with her husband Larry. She has one daughter, Alexis; and two grown step-children, Lucas and Sadi.

At the Avon Early Learning Center (AELC), Nora Fox (no relation to Anne) was named the new principal and awarded a three-year contract during the BOE meeting. She replaces Colleen Mudore who is leaving the district to become the principal at Knollwood Elementary School in the Sheffield/Sheffield Lake City School district.

Nora Fox is currently the assistant principal at Avon Heritage Elementary School, a position she has held since 2018. She came to Avon after working in the Avon Lake City Schools as a teacher for more than 15 years.

“I am thrilled to be the new principal at AELC,” said Nora. “As a former second-grade teacher, I’m excited to return to my primary school roots. Avon is a great place to be and I feel so fortunate to continue my career here. I look forward to getting to know the staff, students, and families; and continuing to be a part of this amazing community.”

Nora resides in Bay Village with her husband and two children.

Two new assistant principals were also approved during the board meeting. Stefanie Ericksen-Lowery will become the new assistant principal at Avon High School; and Avon Middle School teacher Emily Russ will become the new assistant principal at Avon Heritage Elementary School. Matthew Mylechraine was named buildings and grounds supervisor for the district.