By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

CLEVES - Three Rivers Local Schools Superintendent Richard P. Scherer is retiring July 31 after 18 years on the job.

Mr. Scherer, 64, has logged 43 years in education.

"I think it's time for somebody else to take over," he said. "There's no particular reason, other than I'm getting older. I want to go do some other stuff."

The Three Rivers Board of Education has hired Effron & Associates of Cincinnati to search for a new superintendent to lead the 2,000-student district. The board hopes to hire Mr. Scherer's successor by April.

"I trust I will leave the district in better shape than when I came here," Mr. Scherer said. "Although there are always more tasks to accomplish, I will leave my successor with only one significant challenge: passing a bond issue to provide facilities for our students of the future."

A bond issue to build a new high school failed in November.

"I reflect with pride on numerous significant accomplishments during my tenure," he continued. "Probably the two most noteworthy are implementing grade level centralization as a building organizational plan and employing an outstanding staff of educators and support personnel."

Board President Danny Stacy described Mr. Scherer as a highly intelligent man who has worked diligently to improve the district's proficiency test scores. He also has good instincts in hiring teachers and administrators.

"He's got a gift at that," Mr. Stacy said. "We have had very few people hired during his regime that aren't of the highest quality."

While people tend to want to get to know their superintendent, Mr. Stacy said, Mr. Scherer is more introverted.

"He's the guy behind that desk just digging and working away," he said. "Many times, when I've gone past the administration building on weekends or holidays, there's his car. He's in there working."

Mr. Scherer started his education career in 1960 as a math teacher at Oak Hills High School. He also was assistant high school principal and assistant superintendent for instructional services at Oak Hills. He was then hired as assistant superintendent at Three Rivers, where he was promoted to superintendent in 1985.

He and his wife, Anita, plan to travel and spend more time with their two sons and families.

E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com