Columbia Schools names new superintendent

COLUMBIA – Columbia Schools named its new superintendent Wednesday evening. Bill Wingler, who currently serves as Strongsville High School's principal, will lead the district effective Aug. 1. Wingler replaces Graig Bansek, who announced his retirement in October. Bansek joined Columbia Schools as a principal in 2004 and became superintendent in 2009. Bansek is running as a Democrat for Ohio House District 52, a seat currently held by state Rep. Gayle Manning, R-Avon. Manning is term-limited; her son, state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville is running against Bansek to represent the district. Wingler joined Strongsville Schools in 2020. Prior to that, he led Brooklyn High School. Columbia School Board President Shawn Ondrejko said the district was lucky to have a number of great candidates apply for Bansek's role while searching for his replacement through the Educational Service Center of Lorain County. While the interview process was grueling, Wingler said, he was excited to transition into his new role and found his heart was already moving to Columbia. He felt Columbia was a "perfect match" to his passion for education and planned to learn what made the district special and integrate that into his leadership, he said. Board members also approved several new hires throughout the district, and recognized three recipients of the Governor's Merit Scholarship. The scholarship, meant to retain top talent in the state, is available to the top 5 percent of high school graduates in the state. It is $5,000 per year, renewable for four years to any college in Ohio. Seniors Josh Bodo, Ethan Wilmeth and Claire Ondrejko each received the scholarship. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.