New HR/Rec Director Hired; LHS' Siftar Moving Into New Role

At its May 7 meeting, the Lakewood Board of Education approved two new administrative hires. Current Avon Local Schools Superintendent Jim Reitenbach will be joining the district on Aug. 1 as Director Human Resources and the Community Education & Recreation departments and LHS House III Principal Brian Siftar will move into the role of Coordinator of State & Federal Programs, Testing and Gifted.

Reitenbach, who has been Avon Superintendent for the past 13 years, will be charged with developing a reorganization plan for the Rec Department and will take over in the HR Department for retiring current director, Dr. Deb Cahoon.

Before becoming Avon’s Superintendent, Reitenbach was Personnel Director for the Maple Heights City Schools. Earlier in his career, he was an Athletic Coordinator for the Elyria City Schools and Athletic Director for Tiffin University.

“I look forward to the challenge,” Reitenbach told Board members. “Lakewood has always been a great community and I hope to add to that. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Siftar will be replacing Larry Orrach in his new position, which begins Aug.1 Siftar has been House Principal for the past four years.

“I am grateful for the opportunity … and very grateful to be a member of (Superintendent) Patterson and (Assistant Superintendent) Bright’s team in a different role.” Siftar told the Board. “The commitment of the Board, the staff and the community is what drew me in to this community and what keeps me and my family here.”

Last month, it was announced at a Board meeting that Bill DiMascia will replace retiring House II Principal Lynn Eckert. DiMascia is currently the Program Manager/Principal of the Akron Alternative Academy for the Akron Public School District. While Principal, DiMascia has improved attendance rates and boosted the number of state indicators met for the 300-student school. DiMascia also begins his new position August 1.