ELYRIA — Things haven’t really changed that much at Elyria High School since Darren Conley was a senior, he said.The halls still smell the same at lunch time.

Some of the teachers who taught him English and science still work there.

And the condition of the building is pretty much the same — if just a little more run down, he said.

But everything will be different this August for the 45-year-old Conley, because he’ll be in charge.

The Elyria school board voted unanimously Thursday to name Conley the new principal. He’ll replace Dianne Quinn, who has served the district 36 years.

“I went through Elyria Schools all my life,” Conley said Friday, decked out in red to support the high school bands at Ely Square. “Elyria High has been a big part of me since I went there, and it’s been my dream job to be in charge there.”

Superintendent Paul Rigda said Conley was one of three candidates considered for the job.

But Conley’s experience as an administrator in Strongsville and Wellington — and as assistant principal at the high school last year and as principal at Westwood Junior High this year — made him the obvious choice, Rigda said.

The school board Thursday also voted to approve an incentive package that Ridga estimated will save the district about $1 million over the next five years.

At the beginning of May, teachers with 30 or more years of experience were offered $6,000 per year in addition to their pensions through 2013 if they would retire.

Rigda said 24 teachers accepted the deal. Each one that is replaced by a lower-paid teacher will mean about $25,000 in savings per year, he said.

The 24 teachers who received layoff notices in April will have the first crack at taking those vacancies, Rigda said.

The layoffs, coupled with closing Cascade and Eastgate elementaries, will save the district about $11 million, Rigda said.

After the incentive package savings, officials need to chisel another $2 million out of the budget to avoid a deficit in 2013.

Contact Jason Hawk at 329-7148 or jhawk@chroniclet.com.

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.