FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP — A director with the Ohio Department of Education will become superintendent of the Butler County Joint Vocational School District on Jan. 1.

        Robert Sommers, 45, was selected from 22 candidates and will begin his work with the JVS on Aug. 1, first as an assistant superintendent, working with Superintendent Joseph Lupo for five months until Mr. Lupo's Dec. 31 retirement.

        Mr. Sommers was given a two-year superintendent's contract by the JVS board of education and will earn $90,000 annually.
       

State experience
               “This guy is well-known throughout the state,” said Michael Oler, president of the JVS board of education. “His background in career technology and adult education is well-known, and he's well-respected throughout the state. We were lucky to get him before someone else did.”

        Mr. Sommers has been with the Ohio Department of Education for 15 years, the last five as the state's associate director of career-technical and adult education.

        Before that, he was the state's assistant director for agricultural education service.

        He has also been the state's supervisor for administrative planning, budgeting and reporting, and a regional supervisor for the agricultural education service.
       

"Real kids'
               “I wanted to get back with students and teachers and real kids,” Mr. Sommers said.

        He is a 1977 graduate of Miami University.

        At the JVS, Mr. Sommers said he hopes to provide his staff members the tools they need to do their jobs as more programs are added.

        The JVS this summer is finishing a four-phase, $9.5 million project that renovated and expanded the D. Russel Lee Career-Technology Center.

        Mr. Sommers earned a doctorate and master's degree from Ohio State University and a bachelor's from Miami.

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