CALCUTTA – The Beaver Local Board of Education turned to one of its own Thursday night, naming Eric Lowe, a longtime educator and athletic director, as the district’s new superintendent.

Lowe has been the middle school principal the past year and has also served as the district’s athletic director for nine years. Following an hour-long executive session, the hiring was approved with a 4-0 vote, with Lance Shultz absent due to a death in the family.

Employed by the district the past 16 years, Lowe expressed his excitement with his new position and said he looked forward to continue working with the teachers.

“I’m very excited,” Lowe said. “We have a lot of good things going on with the new building. I hope to continue to work with the great educators we have and keep moving ahead because there’s a lot of good things here and I look forward to being a part of it.”

Lowe was approved for a one-year deal for the 2016-17 school year at a starting salary of $96,000, and will officially assume his new duties Aug. 1. He succeeds Lou Ramunno, who joined the district last August on an interim basis following the resignation of then-Superintendent Kent Polen, who left due to philosophical differences with the board.

In a release presented by Board President Jerry Barnett, board members acknowledged Lowe as an effective leader and administrator, while also mentioning his knowledge of utilizing technology in the classroom, his knowledge of the district’s new K-12 campus, which opened last fall, and his dedication to helping students in the district succeed.

“Mr. Lowe has the respect of the staff and possesses vast knowledge of effectively implementing technology in the classroom,” the statement read. “Mr. Lowe understands the building and why it was built, was present through the entire project, and knows how to utilize the space needed for 21st century learning.

“Most importantly Mr. Lowe works countless hours to ensure all students achieve success at Beaver Local and will make sure all are given an education of the highest standard. He has set an example of a superior work ethic and realizes the role of superintendent and all the responsibilities that will be required of him.

“I have no doubt we have selected the best candidate for the job and he will continue leading a school of excellence.”

In regard to hiring within the district, the board said “there is no reason to look outside our district for an extremely talented individual to lead our school into the future.”

A 1995 graduate of East Liverpool High School, Lowe received his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and his Master’s from Youngstown State. He joined Beaver Local in 2000, and has spent his entire career within the district. Along with his duties as athletic director, he served as a third- and fourth-grade teacher for 10 years and six years as a district administrator, including five as the middle school’s assistant principal and one as principal.

Lowe and his wife Sarah reside in East Liverpool.

With Lowe to assume the superintendent role, this will create vacancies for the middle school principal and athletic director positions. Lowe said the district soon will be accepting applications for the positions.

Along with Lowe’s promotion, the board also approved Alyssa Forsythe as a kindergarten teacher on a Bachelor’s, Alyson Yajko as first grade teacher on a Bachelor’s Step 0 level and Erica Miller on a Master’s step 3 level. Yajko and Miller’s hiring were approved 4-0, while Forsythe’s hiring was approved 3-0, with Barnett abstaining his vote.