The past three months has been a busy time for the appointment of school superintendents in Lake County.
Madison, Perry and Wickliffe school boards all named new district superintendents in a stretch spanning from March 11 through April 2.
In May, a decision was made regarding the next superintendent for Auburn Career Center. The center’s school board selected Joe Glavan to fill that position, The News-Herald’s Chad Felton reported.
Glavan will become the school’s top leader on Aug. 1. He will succeed Brian Bontempo, who is retiring July 31.
According to Auburn, Glavan, 42, brings a “strong commitment to career-technical education, a student-centered philosophy and a proven track record of innovative leadership.”
His extensive experience includes key roles such as the director of workforce development for both Mentor Public Schools and Lakeland Community College, as well as director of the Lake Shore Compact, a regional consortium serving the Mentor, Euclid and Wickliffe school districts.
In these positions, Glavan has led initiatives that “enhanced workforce readiness, strengthened educational and business partnerships and supported academic excellence.”
In addition to his work in education, Glavan brings over a decade of private-sector experience, bridging the gap between education and industry.
Through his leadership and strategic collaboration with businesses, government agencies and schools, he has expanded CTE opportunities and helped build a stronger, more responsive workforce pipeline for regional employers, officials noted.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Glavan to the Auburn Career Center family,” said Auburn School Board President Roger Miller. “His passion for career-tech education and his forward-thinking leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate to meet the needs of our students and the regional workforce. We look forward to the direction he will take here at Auburn.”
Glavan earned a doctorate from Youngstown State University, a master’s degree from Lake Erie College and a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University.
He also completed his principal licensure at Cleveland State University.
In 2023, Glavan was honored as the Ohio Career-Technical Education Administrator of the Year by the Ohio Association for Career Technical Education.
Recognized for his “collaborative leadership style and strategic vision,” Glavan stated he remains dedicated to preparing students for success in both higher education and the workforce.
“Auburn Career Center and our 10 dedicated member districts represent over 19,000 students across Lake and Geauga counties, and together, we are building an extraordinary educational experience that ensures every student is future-ready,” he said. “From primary and secondary learners to adult workforce students, our mission is to prepare Ohio’s next generation of talent with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to thrive.”
He added that Auburn is one of 49 technical centers in the state.
“I’m really intrigued by that, to be able to expand that,” Glavan said, adding he’s excited and honored to accept the position of superintendent.
“I’ve known a lot of the people at Auburn, and we’ve been collaborating for the last several years and look forward to working closely with our families, students, staff and community members to ensure they are informed and supported through every step of their journey,” he added. “The future of workforce education in Northeast Ohio is bright, and it starts here.”
Based on Glavan’s strong and relevant experience and his impressive credentials, The News-Herald believes he is an excellent choice to take over as Auburn Career Center’s new superintendent.
