Katie Phillips selected as next principal of Orange High School

PEPPER PIKE, Ohio — Katie Phillips, associate principal of Kenston High School in Bainbridge Township since 2016, has been selected as the next principal of Orange High School.

The Orange Board of Education approved Phillips for the position after an executive session toward the end of its meeting Monday (March 14).

She was chosen by Superintendent Lynn Campbell after a lengthy interview process involving multiple stakeholders, according to a news release from the district.

Her contract is effective Aug. 1 and extends through July 31, 2024. Her annual salary will be $121,700.

Phillips will succeed Paul Lucas, who has accepted the position of Orange Schools’ director of human resources, effective Aug. 1. Lucas has served as principal of Orange High School since 2010.

“We are pleased to have Katie Phillips join Team Orange as our new principal for Orange High School,” Campbell said in the news release. “Her skills and experience have prepared her well for the role of Orange High School principal.

“We look forward to her leadership as she connects with students, staff and families to carry on Orange Schools’ rich tradition of educational excellence.”

Before being named associate principal of Kenston High School, Phillips served as an assistant principal (2015-2016) and as a science teacher (2004-2015) at the school.

Her background also includes serving four years as varsity coach for the girls golf and track and field teams at Kenston.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to join the student-centered educational environment provided by Orange High School,” Phillips said in the release. “The district’s vision, mission and beliefs embody my philosophy of education and leadership style.

“My focus is to provide the best educational experience for Orange students and for each of them to achieve personal success.”

At Monday’s board meeting, Phillips said she’s been very impressed with the Orange district.

“I’ve researched it and I’ve always known about it,” she said. “But after meeting the people that work here and the process, the three rounds (of interviews), I really do feel like this is going to be a great match.

“I already want to talk transition, and I have ideas keeping me up at night, but I really think it’s going to be a wonderful opportunity and I thank you for it.”

Phillips lives in Aurora with her husband, Chris, and their two children.

She earned master’s degrees in educational leadership from the University of Cincinnati and in biology from Kent State University. She also obtained her superintendent certification through KSU.

She has a bachelor’s degree in integrated science from Malone University in Canton.

Retirements accepted

In other personnel action, the board accepted the retirements of Mark Jones, Orange High School communications teacher, and his wife, Lisa Drenik-Jones, media center assistant at Brady Middle School. Both are effective July 1.

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