Switzerland of Ohio Board of Education members met in special session Wednesday and made just one crowd-pleasing decision.

On a motion by board President Ron Winkler, members voted 4-1 to reassign Superintendent Rob Caldwell as principal of Powhatan Point Elementary School and to hire Phil Ackerman as the district’s next superintendent. Voting in favor in addition to Winkler were members Beverly Anderson, Jerry gust and Greg Schumacher, while Sarah Smith voted “no.”

The meeting convened at 6 p.m. at Swiss Hills Career Center, and the board immediately entered executive session to discuss personnel. When members returned to open session, the superintendency was the only matter they addressed.

As soon as the vote was cast, the crowd of about 55 audience members exploded into applause and shouts of celebration. The meeting was immediately adjourned, and many onlookers remained in the large common area to chat with and congratulate Ackerman.

Caldwell was not present, but administrator Larry Koslik and Treasurer Connie Kress were seated with the board.

The leadership changes become effective July 16 and are slated to remain in place at least until July 31, 2022. Following the meeting, Winkler said he made the motion because things in the district had been going “downhill with morale for a long time.”

“I know this is going to take us in a positive direction,” he added.

According to Winkler, Caldwell will continue to be paid his superintendent’s salary for the duration of that contract, which expires July 31, 2022, but he did not have an exact figure available Wednesday evening. He said the board is continuing to negotiate a contract and salary with Ackerman.

Ackerman presently is employed as director of administrative services for the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center. He previously worked for 30 years in various positions in the Switzerland of Ohio district, including a stint as superintendent before he retired.

Jane Moore, a retired teacher who worked under Ackerman’s past term as superintendent, was one of the many people who spoke highly of him after the meeting.

“He was wonderful then,” she said. “That’s why everyone is so happy. He’s going to be just as great now.”

Ackerman said his priorities as superintendent will be to improve student performance and achievement, to improve communication and possibly to reduce expenditures.

Prior to becoming superintendent, Caldwell worked as a teacher and football coach at Tyler Consolidated, Winkler said. As a resident of Powhatan Point, he was elected a Switzerland of Ohio board member but resigned that post to become principal at River Elementary School. He then served as assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent.