Bexley Board of Education Appoints New Superintendent

We are excited to share that the Board of Education, during a special meeting on June 2, approved the appointment of Dr. Katherine Nowak as Bexley’s next Superintendent.

Dr. Nowak currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for New Albany-Plain Local Schools, but many of you may remember her recent service as Bexley’s Director of Curriculum and Gifted Education, a position she filled with great esteem before departing last Fall.

Board member Dr. Jonathan Baker said he is especially pleased that her knowledge of the Bexley community and of our faculty and staff will allow her to start the 2026-2027 with momentum. “Dr. Nowak’s exceptional experience and service to Bexley gave me great confidence that we will have a leader who will hit the ground running come August, something that was incredibly appealing for the well-being and support of our students and staff,” Dr. Baker said.

Dr. Katie Nowak

As Assistant Superintendent in New Albany, Dr. Nowak oversees the district’s curriculum, assessment and instructional programs, as well as all Human Resource functions for certified and licensed staff members. She also manages the Directors of Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education, and Assessment & Accountability, and coordinates districtwide initiatives supporting student well-being, belonging, and culture. Earlier in her tenure, she served as New Albany’s Director of Assessment & Accountability, Intermediate School principal, and principal of its Grades 2-8 building.

Early in her career, she served as both a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in South-Western City Schools, where, in 2016, Dr. Nowak was recognized as the state’s National Distinguished Principal for Middle Level Education by the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA). She has served on numerous local and state committees, presented at state and national conferences, and facilitated professional development across Ohio in collaboration with OAESA. As a past president of OAESA, she supported school leaders statewide through networking, professional learning, and advocacy for public education.

Dr. Nowak earned her Doctorate and Superintendent Licensure from Concordia University. She also holds a Master of Arts in School Administration from The Ohio State University, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in Education, both from Bowling Green State University.

She and her husband, Brent, have two sons, Mason and Matthew.

The Search Process

With the guidance and assistance of leaders from the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio, the Board of Education conducted an expedited search with the goal of hiring a new superintendent who would be available to begin Aug. 1, ahead of the new school year.

“We were advised by the ESC and other experts that to attract the interest of top school leaders, our search needed to be conducted in confidence,” shared Board Vice President Patrick King. “Much like any private person’s job search, one doesn’t want to alienate their current employer, especially if the position is not offered, so a highly public and possibly drawn out search process was not in Bexley’s best interest.”

Board President Joanne Pickrell shared again her gratitude to the nearly 850 members of the community, including faculty, staff and students, who provided valuable input on the qualities they value most in a superintendent. She said, “Dr. Nowak has a heartfelt belief that every child deserves a high-quality education with the necessary supports and guidance to help each student utilize their abilities to their fullest potential, in a caring and supportive environment of kindness and belonging. That is Katie Nowak and that is Bexley.”

Ms. Pickrell also extended her gratitude to the ESC and its leaders who assisted in this search. As a participating member of the ESC, which provides administrative, academic, and operational support to member school districts, Bexley Schools was able to conduct this search without spending additional funds on the search.

Dr. Nowak’s Contract Begins Aug. 1

During the June 2nd meeting, the Board also approved a short-term contract for Dr. Nowak for consulting services for the district through July 31. This work will be related to administrative matters to assist her transition as superintendent. Dr. Nowak will officially begin full time in Bexley Schools on Aug. 1.

Immediately following the special Board meeting, Dr. Nowak shared the following statement:

“I am deeply honored to be selected as the next Superintendent of Bexley City Schools. Having previously served the district as Director of Curriculum and Gifted, I know how incredibly special the Bexley community is and am proud to lead a district that champions curiosity, kindness, and equity. The Bexley community is exceptional, from its students, to engaged families, deeply dedicated faculty and staff, and an extraordinary, generations-deep commitment to educational excellence. I look forward to building upon the remarkable foundation already established here, cultivating strong partnerships and trusting relationships with our Board, staff, students, parents, and community, and working collectively to champion outcomes that make our entire school district proud. I am very eager to begin this journey together.”

Board member Victoria Powers said she was impressed with Dr. Nowak’s collaborative mindset. “She is a visionary and a strategist who has the ability to anticipate not only opportunities for our students and our district, but possible challenges as well,” Ms. Powers said. “I expect we will benefit greatly from her demonstrated ability to articulate a vision, empower a team, and achieve outcomes through collaborative work.”

Board member Mike Carter said Dr. Nowak’s demonstrated experience in Bexley, New Albany, and South-Western City Schools was desirable. “Her entire career has been focused on supporting academic achievement for every student wherever she was. She is exactly the leader we want for our students.”