Stow's Dr. Russ Jones Semifinalist for Independence Superintendent Position

 Superintendent Dr. Russ Jones is one out of five educators being considered for the available Independence City School District superintendent position.

Paul Pendleton, president of Finding Leaders in Valley View confirmed that Jones, as well as Twinsburg Superintendent Steve Marlow, Painesville Superintendent Mike Hanlon, Pandora-Gilboa Superintendent Dale Lewellen and Bucyrus Superintendent Todd Nichols are being considered.

According to Pendleton, the pay range for the Independence job is between $130,000 and $140,000.

Forty people applied for the position, he said.

"Independence is a high performing school district with a lot of stability in terms of leadership," Pendelton said. "They are certainly looking for someone to continue that quality of leadership in Independence."

Independence superintendent, David J. Laurenzi, is scheduled to retire at the end of the 2010-2011 school year and the district hopes to name a new superintendent by August, Pendelton said.

Jones has been superintendent for the Stow-Munroe Falls District since 2006.

Jones did not immediately return calls for comment.