Office of the Superintendent

Sue Everhart Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Phone:  (614) 471-7065 | Fax:  (614) 478-556

The Gahanna-Jefferson Board of Education is elected by the community to set priorities, establish policies and evaluate the outcomes of district operation. The Superintendent is the district’s chief academic officer and the board of education's chief executive officer.

On behalf of the board, the superintendent identifies trends, needs and policies, develop regulations, provide leadership, and manage the day-to-day operation of the district. The superintendent works along side the district Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer to recommend and manages an annual spending plan based upon the parameters set by the board of education.


Superintendent Mark White

Welcome to the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools Web site. In the Gahanna-Jefferson community, we take pride in our diversity, our excellent quality of life, and the success of our local schools. Our district is committed to helping its students to be successful and to thrive after they graduate from our school system. We are known for our rigor and accomplishments, and just as importantly, for the manner in which we regard and respect our young people and their parents. Our students are presented with challenging course work and are taught by motivated professionals. Over 80% of our graduates attend some form of secondary education in universities across the nation. We are proud of their accomplishments, and we realize education is a journey that begins in kindergarten and goes well beyond a four-year bachelor’s degree. The future will belong to those who can creatively apply information in new ways, and we are pushing our staff members to constantly reflect upon their curriculum, instruction, and assessment to insure that they are meeting the needs of today’s students so that they will be prepared for the world they will face tomorrow.  Our mission is to maintain a district that is defined by our motto, “Where Students Come First.” I look forward to working with you and with members of our Gahanna-Jefferson community as we continue to make strides in the education of our young people! Sincerely, Mark White Superintendent

Career History

• Superintendent, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, 2010
• Assistant Superintendent, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, 2008-2010
• Principal, Lincoln High School, 2001-2008
• Principal, Hamilton Township High School, 2000-2001
• Assistant Principal, Westerville South High School, 1998-2000
• Assistant Principal, Leander High School, Leander, TX, 1996-1998
• English Teacher/Department Chair, Leander High School, 1985-1996
• In-School Suspension Monitor, Lanier High School, Austin, TX, spring 1985
• Middle School Band Director, Woodville Middle School, Woodville, TX, 1983-1984

Education

• Superintendent Certificate, Region XIII ESC & Region XX ASK, TX, 2004-2005
• Administration Certificate, Region XIII, TX, 1998
• Master’s Degree in Education Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 1998
• Bachelor of Music/Minor in English, University of Texas at Austin, TX, 1983

 
Professional organizations

• Buckeye Association of School Administrators
• ASCD 

Career Highlights

• Guest presenter for the Ohio School Board Association, Buckeye Association of School Administrators, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Renaissance Conference, and other educational organizations.
• Guest presenter at The Ohio State University, Ashland University, and Otterbein College
• Member of Ohio Dual Enrollment Partnership Steering Committee
• Former consultant to the College Board and the American College Testing Corporation
• Served on two national committees in Washington, D.C., on behalf of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium

Goals and Objectives

• Led the Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools (GJPS) to excellence by educating for a high level of competency in the traditional academic disciplines along with skills required for the 21st century.
• Supervise administrators and staff in focusing on curriculum initiatives and programs for the individual child.
• Oversee academic improvement, student growth and initiatives for quality staff development and training. To continue student improvement on achievement tests and all parts of the Ohio Graduation Test, Performance Index Scores and Adequate Yearly Progress.
• To work collaboratively with principals and teachers to further implement the GJPS Graduate Profile; to continue to apply formative assessments, refine courses of study, improve interventions, raise state test scores and meet AYP as a district.
• To maintain stable funding for the district and manage growth, as well as continue effective operations and maintenance of a strict budget.
• Direct administrators through all phases of the Lincoln High School Clark Hall project to include: development of its unique, innovative programming (accelerated learning, advanced programs, business internships, duel-credit, and cutting-edge technology), its construction and opening in fall 2011.
• To guide K-12 staff in the implementation of technology for student use and to make technology the foundation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Recent Accomplishments 

• Lead K-12 teachers and administrators to create the GJPS Graduate Profile—a transforming K-12 guide to provide structure for students to graduate with academics, character, and social and cultural skills required for the 21st century global world.
• Instrumental in weaving educational philosophies into the curriculum to improve student learning and academic achievement that includes: Total Quality Management, Best Practices, Understanding by Design, the Rigor, Relevance and Relationships Framework.
• While principal of Lincoln High School, the school consistently earned the Ohio Department of Education’s highest rating of Excellent on its state report card, the graduation rate rose nearly 10 points to 95%, and the attendance rate climbed to 95%. SAT and ACT scores were higher with an increase in the percentage of student graduates attending colleges and universities. Scholarship monies offered to graduates increased, and the school successfully transitioned to the Ohio Graduation Test and to standards-based instruction.
• More choice in Advanced Placement and Honors courses were introduced to Lincoln High School students and new courses for at-risk students. Electives were added such as Information Technology, Mandarin Chinese, African American Studies, World Cultures, Senior Projects, Leadership To Tomorrow, and Latin IV and V. The Science Academy and the Eastland-Fairfield International Business programs were initiated as well as the Student and Alumni Hall of Fame programs.